Green Machine Gets Its Shot at Lowfield Glory

Rare Home Date for 3rd XI as Bayford & Hertford Head to Hoddesdon
This Saturday marks an historic moment in the 2025 HPCL Division 12 East season as Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Saturday 3rd XI step out onto the hallowed turf of Lowfield Sports Ground for a rare—and rousing—home league fixture.

Due to an unexpected turn of events, this young and spirited side will get the honour of flying the Green Machine flag on the main stage in front of a home crowd. The club’s iconic venue on Park View, usually reserved for 1st and 2nd XI contests, will host the 3rd XI’s match against Bayford & Hertford CC’s 2nd XI, a top-half side currently sitting sixth in the table.

It’s a thrilling fixture with significant implications—and a major opportunity.

From Village Green to Premier Platform
Normally playing their home cricket up the hill at Hertford Heath, the 3rd XI were due to be on the road this weekend to their normal home ground. But fate intervened in the form of bunting, bouncy castles and bingo stalls, as the Hertford Heath Summer Fair claimed the ground for its annual village festivities.

At the same time, an entirely separate development was unfolding closer to home: Hoddesdon 2nd XI’s scheduled opponents, Old Haberdashers, were forced to concede their match, unable to raise a side. That withdrawal left Lowfield without a league game on Saturday… until some quick-footed admin work from the club committee and a hugely sporting gesture from our opponents gave the 3rd XI a chance to seize centre stage.

A massive thank you must go to Bayford & Hertford CC, who kindly agreed to switch the fixture to Lowfield less than 24 hours before the first ball. It’s a level of cooperation that shows the best of grassroots cricket. Bayford’s flexibility has handed Hoddesdon’s emerging crop of young talent a golden opportunity: to play a competitive league fixture at the club’s flagship ground.

“A Big Day for the Club” – Purves
Head of Cricket Louis Purves was full of excitement ahead of the game, describing it as “a big day for the club and for the 3rd XI lads in particular.”

“This is something we’ve wanted to make happen for a long time,” Purves said. “For one reason or another, our 3rd XI haven’t had many chances to play at Lowfield in recent years—certainly not in a competitive league setting. So to get this kind of opportunity, against a strong Bayford side, on a Saturday, at our home ground… it’s magic.”

While he was quick to acknowledge the disappointment for the 2nd XI in losing their fixture, Purves also praised the leadership group for adapting so quickly. “We had about 25 minutes of mild chaos when the news came through from Old Habs, but all four captains got together, we spoke with the league, and with Bayford. Everyone's aim was to get the best cricketing outcome, and this is a brilliant one.”

Selection in Flux as Hawkins Shuffles the Pack
3rd XI captain Dan Hawkins will lead the side once again, having marshalled a makeshift unit with characteristic calm and enthusiasm in recent weeks. But selection for this match has presented a unique and somewhat complicated challenge.

With the 2nd XI now unexpectedly without a game, a late Friday afternoon selection conversation has been ignited between Purves, Hawkins, and the other senior figures.

“We’re in a strange but exciting spot,” Hawkins admitted. “Obviously it’s gutting for the 2s to lose their game—nobody wants to see a concession—but it does give us options. We’ll be working hard tonight to get the right blend. Whatever happens, we’re proud to walk out at Lowfield.”

Bayford & Hertford Bring Experience
Saturday’s visitors, Bayford & Hertford CC 2nd XI, are a decent side with no shortage of experience across the batting and bowling departments. Currently sitting 6th in Division 12 East with 82 points, they’ve looked an excellent side for most of the season and are widely tipped to push for a top-four finish this year. An all out for 95 and a 7 wicket defeat last time out, does not tell the story of the visitors on Saturday, and captain Hawkins needs to be on his guard.

Captain Alan Pikesley will call that a blip and knows his side are capable of a much better showing at Lowfield.

In their last win, a 60 run victory at home to Datchworth, Jemile Al-Darraji registered a superb ton not out off of 123 balls, and with John Collins adding support with 53, Pikesley knows he has the personnel to cause Hoddesdon problems. Wicket Keeper Baxendale is also a talented player and caable with the bat too, showing a diverse range of skills.

With 82 points and a positive net run rate, they present a formidable challenge—but one Hoddesdon will relish. The two sides are separated by just 17 points on the ladder, and a win for Hoddesdon could leapfrog them into mid-table safety.

Bayford are known for their discipline with the ball and depth in the middle order. They'll arrive at Lowfield keen to take advantage of the tight boundaries and fast outfield, and they’ll know this Hoddesdon side—energised by the occasion—will throw everything at them.

Green Shoots of Promise
After a bruising start to the campaign, Hoddesdon’s 3rd XI have shown grit and growth in recent weeks. There was frustration last Saturday as they lost out to top-of-the-table Mill Hill Village in a closely-fought match, falling just short in their defence of 160. But even in defeat, there were plenty of positives.

The top order of Nikunj Pradhan and Darshana "Dash" Keerthichandra combined beautifully for over 100 runs last weekend, with Dash stroking a majestic 63 and Nikunj a classy 56. Should they both feature again, they’ll be crucial to Hoddesdon’s hopes.

In the bowling department, Jack Bailey showed his potential from his 7 overs last time out, and Scott Higgins continues to impress with his tight lines and clever changes of pace. Captain Hawkins has marshalled his troops with sharp tactical awareness, and his leadership has been a steadying force amid a rotating cast of teammates. The likely return of a couple of regulars could provide an injection of quality, but it’s also a chance for the younger squad players to show they can perform on the club’s biggest stage.

Lowfield Factor Could Be Key
There’s no understating what it means to the 3rd XI to play at Lowfield. From the friendly clubhouse to well prepared square and sun-drenched boundaries, it’s a ground steeped in history—and one many of this squad have watched from the sidelines rather than walked out upon.

“Some of these lads have dreamed of this since they were in the Under-11s,” said Hawkins. “To pull on the shirt and walk out of the dressing room, playing league cricket on the same strip the 1st XI used the week before—it’s something they’ll never forget.”

With the weather set to be a scorcher, supporters are encouraged to come down and make some noise. The bar will be open, the hospitality as generous as ever, and the cricket promises to be played in great spirit.

Table Watch: Crucial Points on Offer
With Mill Hill and Old Albanian level at the top on 160 points, and just one point separating Hoddesdon from 8th-placed Ickleford, every point now counts. Hoddesdon currently sit 7th, but a win on Saturday would push them up to at least sixth, depending on other results. Equally, defeat could leave them in the thick of a bottom-three scrap. It’s not quite must-win territory yet—but it’s a big game in the context of the season.

Final Word: Green Machine Gears Up
Saturday represents more than just a cricket match for this young Hoddesdon side. It’s a chance to showcase their talent on the club’s most storied turf, to play in front of friends and family, and to send a message that the future of Hoddesdon Cricket Club is very much alive and thriving. Dan Hawkins and his team know they’ll need to bring their A-game against a savvy Bayford outfit, but with momentum, spirit, and now home advantage on their side, there’s genuine belief that the Green Machine can produce something special.

Win, lose or draw, Saturday promises to be a landmark day for the 3rd XI, and a celebration of what makes community cricket so powerful.

#GreenMachine