HPCL Division 12 East
Saturday 10 May 2025
Venue: Datchworth Cricket Ground
Result: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI won by 55 runs
Toss: Hoddesdon CC won the toss and elected to bat

Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s HPCL 3rd XI launched their 2025 league campaign with an emphatic statement, brushing aside Datchworth 3rd XI with a 55-run win on away soil.

Captain Dan Hawkins led a confident side that delivered with bat, ball, and in the field, putting together a complete performance that showcased the squad’s depth and resilience.

A Steady Start Before the Storm
Hawkins won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on what appeared to be a dry, hard surface under early May sunshine. Openers Paul Webb and Freddie Hawkins strode out with a clear plan: see off the new ball and build a solid foundation. That plan took a hit almost immediately when Freddie Hawkins was trapped lbw by Matthew Lewis for a duck, sending Datchworth into early celebrations. When Daniel Hawkins was bowled by Freddy Keenan for just 1, Hoddesdon had stuttered to 5 for 2 — a position few would envy.

But while wickets were tumbling at the other end, Paul Webb stood firm. The tall and rangey all rounder mixed caution with occasional aggression and began to rebuild with support from Ross Maughan (12 off 20). Their partnership moved the score along, but Maughan’s dismissal at 23 for 3 brought even more pressure.

Paul Webb Anchors, Ashley Hill Launches
With the innings teetering, the introduction of Ashley Hill changed the momentum. Hill batted with positive intent and combined perfectly with Webb in what proved to be the decisive partnership of the match. Hill’s knock of 61 off 54 balls, including 10 boundaries, was a counter-attacking masterclass and earned him a shot at the prestigious Green Jacket award in the end, when combined with his later heroics with the ball. More on that shortly...

Webb, meanwhile, was accumulating steadily at the other end, reaching his half-century with typical grit. His 63 off 113 balls might not have been flashy, but it was invaluable in holding the innings together through the chaos. The pair put on 52 for the fourth wicket, and even after Hill’s dismissal, the platform was laid. Contributions down the order from George Kimberley (19), Louis Webb (16*), and Joe Clarke (9*) helped Hoddesdon surge past 200 — a competitive score on a surface offering something for the bowlers.

The innings closed on 211 for 7 from 40 overs, with extras proving costly for Datchworth (30 in total). Paul Webb’s mature innings, and Hill’s aggressive counterpunch, had turned a wobbly start into a dominant total.

Datchworth’s Bowling – Moments of Promise, But Too Inconsistent
Datchworth’s attack had moments of promise, especially early on. Matthew Lewis (1-29) and Freddy Keenan (2-32) bowled tidy spells with control and swing. But their support bowlers were erratic — Mikey Biggs (2-50) and Jesse Carter (2-42) were expensive, conceding too many boundaries and wides. All five frontline bowlers completed their 8-over quotas, but Hoddesdon were adept at rotating strike and punishing anything loose. Eleven wides and two no balls added to Datchworth’s frustrations as the visitors built scoreboard pressure.

Tidy Start Turns Into Trouble – Datchworth Falter in Chase
Chasing 212 was always going to be a challenge, and Datchworth’s reply never really got going. Hoddesdon’s opening bowlers — Scott Higgins and Nirosh Perera — were immediately on the money, bowling with discipline and attacking the stumps.

The early breakthroughs came in quick succession. Tim Stephens (22), who looked steady, was first to fall. Then, in a remarkable burst, Datchworth lost three wickets for just four runs: Terrence Miller (5), Trent Miller (0), and Martin Peacock (9) all fell before the 10-over mark, leaving the hosts reeling at 36 for 4. The openers of Stephens and Miller were both dismissed via the same equation. Bowled Higgins, Caught Hill and Ash in particular was staking an early claim for man of the match.

When danger-man Leon Kamali was dismissed for a quickfire 41 off 33 balls — an innings that included five fours and two sixes — the game tilted heavily in Hoddesdon’s favour. Kamali’s intent was clear, but he lacked support, and once he departed, so too did Datchworth’s hopes.

Matthew Lewis Shows Resistance
If Datchworth were to salvage pride, it came in the form of Matthew Lewis. Batting at No. 9, the all-rounder struck a fluent 43 not out from 36 balls, a commendable effort given the match situation. Lewis rotated the strike cleverly and found the boundary with regularity, including seven crisp fours. But wickets tumbled at the other end. Jae Pearse (2), Joe Thompson (6), and Mikey Biggs (0) fell in quick succession as Hoddesdon’s change bowlers applied the squeeze. By the time Lewis had begun to truly counterattack, the asking rate was well out of reach.

Datchworth eventually limped to 156 for 8 from their 40 overs, never really threatening the target. Hoddesdon’s bowlers shared the spoils, keeping things tight and applying pressure throughout the innings.

Bowling Breakdown – Hoddesdon Share the Load
Six bowlers were used by Hoddesdon, and all made contributions. The pick of the bunch was Ashley Hill, who capped off a brilliant all-round display by taking 4 for 34 from 8 overs, including one maiden. He bowled with great variation, deceiving several batters in flight and pace and all but confirmed his man of the match status. It was a brilliant return from Hill having also lead with the bat and he therefore threw his hat into the Green Jacket ring. You can read all about that award by clicking HERE.

Scott Higgins was miserly upfront with 2 for 23 in his 8 overs, and Nirosh Perera was perhaps the most economical of all, with stunning figures of 1 for 15 in 8 overs, including three maidens. His tight lines strangled any hope of a fluent start for the hosts. Daniel Hawkins, leading by example, returned 1 for 20 from his seven overs, claiming the crucial wicket of the hosts captain and wicket keeper Jae Pearse, while Freddie Hawkins and Louis Webb offered valuable support.

Captain’s Verdict – Daniel Hawkins Reflects
Speaking after the match, captain Daniel Hawkins was full of praise for his side:

“We were under pressure early on, but the way Paul Webb and Ashley Hill played was outstanding. They set it up beautifully. With the ball, we stuck to our plans and didn’t let Datchworth settle. Everyone played a role — that’s the most pleasing thing as skipper.”

He added:

“The conditions weren’t easy. That pitch had a bit in it, especially early doors, so to get over 200 and defend it comfortably shows the character and quality we’ve got.”

Standout Performers
Paul Webb – 63 (113 balls, 7x4): Anchored the innings under pressure with a determined and vital knock.
Ashley Hill – 61 (54 balls, 10x4) & 4-34 (8 overs): Game-defining all-round display including two early catches.
Matthew Lewis (Datchworth) – 43* (36 balls): Lone warrior in the chase.
Nirosh Perera – 1-15 (8 overs): Controlled the middle overs with precision and economy.
Scott Higgins – 2-23 (8 overs): Set the tone with the new ball.

Looking Ahead
This 30-point victory propels Hoddesdon to the top of the HPCL Division 12 East standings early in the season. With a blend of youth and experience, and standout performances already emerging, the 3rd XI will be looking to build on this momentum in the coming fixtures and launch a genuine title tilt this time around. There’s clear evidence that this group can challenge strongly this summer. Batting depth, multiple bowling options, and the leadership of Daniel Hawkins offer a balanced and determined setup. If they can maintain this level of performance, Hoddesdon’s HPCL 3rd XI could be in for a memorable 2025 campaign. Next Saturday they host Preston 4th XI who lost their opening game to Ickleford 3rd XI.

Hawkins will be smelling blood...

Final Scorecard Summary:

Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI: 211/7 (40 overs)
Paul Webb 63, Ashley Hill 61, George Kimberley 19
Freddy Keenan 2-32, Jesse Carter 2-42
Datchworth CC 3rd XI: 156/8 (40 overs)
Leon Kamali 41, Matthew Lewis 43*, Tim Stephens 22
Ashley Hill 4-34, Scott Higgins 2-23, Nirosh Perera 1-15

Hoddesdon CC won by 55 runs
Points: Hoddesdon 30 – Datchworth 13
Man of the Match: Ash Hill

You can view the full scorecard by clicking HERE.

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