MILL HILL VILLAGE CC 4TH XI VS HODDESDON CC 3RD XI
SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2025,
BURTONHOLE LANE,
1PM START
HPCL Division 12 East

Green Machine Roll Into Top-of-the-Table Clash at Mill Hill
The road winds toward north-west London this Saturday as Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s HPCL 3rd XI head to Burtonhole Lane for what promises to be a spicy league encounter with table-topping Mill Hill Village 4th XI. With the hosts perched proudly in 1st place and Hoddesdon entering the weekend down in 8th, there’s more than just points at stake – it’s a proper gut-check for the Green Machine against one of the league’s pace-setters.

Captain Daniel Hawkins takes his side for what could be one of the defining fixtures of the season, and he does so with a squad reshaped by absentees and opportunity. The withdrawal of last week’s Greene King Green Jacket winner Greg Marsh, alongside other availability hits, means a fresh-looking Hoddesdon side will be tasked with taking down the league leaders on their own patch.

Mill Hill have been in formidable form so far this campaign. Three wins from their opening matches has seen them surge to 130 points – joint top with Old Albanian CC 3rd XI. They’ve got depth, confidence, and momentum. But Hoddesdon, who will be travelling with a squad brimming with youthful energy and eager to bounce back from last week’s frustrating defeat to Southgate Adelaide, won’t be heading to the capital just to make up the numbers.

The Form Guide: Hoddesdon Hunting Consistency
It’s been a mixed start for Hoddesdon 3s in Division 12 East. After 5 gameweeks, they sit 8th in the table with 55 points – just a single point behind last weekend’s opponents Southgate Adelaide in 7th. That close margin highlights just how congested the bottom half of the league has become, and how crucial every fixture now becomes in the race for mid-table safety or even a surprise climb toward the promotion-chasers.

Last Saturday’s home defeat to Southgate Adelaide was a tough one to take. The day started in doubt due to heavy rain in Hertingfordbury, but after a tremendous team effort to get the game on, Hoddesdon posted a competitive 161 – thanks largely to Greg Marsh’s sublime 74. But rain interruptions meant Duckworth-Lewis came into play, and the visitors chased a reduced total of 122 with overs to spare, winning by 7 wickets.

Despite the loss, the resilience to make the game happen and produce a fighting total speaks volumes about the character in this group. The Green Jacket might have gone to Marsh, but there were stand-out efforts with the ball from Scott Higgins and Nirosh Perera, who each bowled with control and threat – something they’ll need again this weekend if they’re to unsettle Mill Hill’s deep batting line-up.

Team News: Fresh Faces and Familiar Figures
With several regulars missing, Dan Hawkins has turned to a combination of dependable core players and returning faces to assemble his XI for the trip to London.

Here’s how Hoddesdon are expected to line up:

Daniel Hawkins (C) – The skipper will once again lead from the front, opening the batting and likely playing a key role with the ball. His experience and presence are invaluable for a side that will field plenty of youthful exuberance.
Benjamin Strong – Making steady strides, Strong has proven capable of big contributions. This could be a big game for his development.
Nirosh Perera – One of Hoddesdon’s most consistent all-rounders this season. Perera brings composure with the bat and reliability with the ball. A key man.
Nikunj Pradhan – Another player who’s grown in stature throughout the season. Pradhan will be looking to turn promising starts into significant contributions with the bat from the top order.
Scott Higgins – The Green Machine’s very own Mr Reliable. His miserly bowling spells and all round energy make him a central figure in this side.
Jack Bailey – A livewire in the field and always capable of popping up with a vital breakthrough. With the bat, he's due a score.
George Elsom – Has slotted seamlessly into the teamand offers calmness under pressure. Elsom’s fielding will lift the entire team.
Lee Ellerbeck – Brings enthusiasm and bounce as a new member and player of the club. If conditions suit, he could rattle the oppo. If he doesn't, certain to enjoy a post match beer anyway.
Harvey Aldridge – Aldridge has impressed with limited opportunities. His energy and commitment will be infectious as a newcomer to the side.
Sampathreddy Palepu – A late addition to the XI and one to watch. A bit of an unknown to the team – something that could be a weapon come Saturday.
Jack Buzec – Buzec completes a team that may be lacking in experience but makes up for it in hunger and attitude.

Opposition Watch: Mill Hill’s Multi-Layered Threat
Mill Hill Village 4th XI are a well-drilled, high-performing side who’ve earned their place at the summit of the table. With three wins from five, they’ve been ruthless in punishing weaker teams and measured against the stronger ones. Their success stems from a formidable top order, reliable middle overs bowling, and a fielding unit that rarely gives away easy runs. The Burtonhole Lane outfield is notorious for being fast when dry, so restricting boundaries will be a top priority for Hoddesdon’s bowlers.

Look out for Mill Hill’s Mohammed Ayoubi who grabbed 100 last time out and Amir Sultan who went a step further with a rampant 136 off 100 balls. His elegant strokeplay has set the tone in several victories this season. Their bowling attack includes a mix of canny seamers and wily spinners, many of whom are veterans of league cricket and know how to exploit pressure situations. Merwais Uriakhel is likely the pick of the attack and will ask questions of the young Hoddesdon side.

The Venue: Burtonhole Lane – Tricky Test for Travellers
Nestled in leafy north London, Mill Hill Village’s Burtonhole Lane ground offers one of the more picturesque settings in the division – but don’t let the setting fool you. This is a battleground that rewards smart cricket and punishes lapses in concentration. The wicket tends to be slow and low, especially early in the season, making it a challenging pitch for strokeplay. Batters who grind rather than blaze often fare better here. Spinners and slower bowlers frequently prosper, so skipper Hawkins may turn to those players who fit that brief.

Weather is set fair, with a dry and warm afternoon forecast – a welcome relief after last week’s damp affair in Hertingfordbury.

Captain’s Thoughts: “A Big Test – But One We’re Ready For”
Speaking ahead of the trip, skipper Dan Hawkins remained upbeat despite the reshuffled line-up and stiff opposition.

“It’s a big test for us, no doubt – they’re top of the table and playing good cricket. But we’re not fazed. We’ve got lads who want to prove themselves, and a team ethic that keeps us competitive even when things are against us.”

“Last week was frustrating in terms of the result, but I was really proud of how we pulled together to get the game on. That spirit is what this side is all about. We’ll go to Mill Hill with the same energy and see where it takes us.”

What’s at Stake: Table Tightens at the Bottom
A win for Hoddesdon would be more than just a scalp over the table leaders – it could spark a genuine upward swing. With just 1 point separating Hoddesdon in 8th and Southgate Adelaide in 7th, and 9th-placed Letchworth Garden City beginning to stir, the lower half of Division 12 East is tight as a drum. Victory could see Hoddesdon leapfrog one or even two sides, depending on other results. It would also deal a major blow to Mill Hill’s title charge and boost morale for the second half of the season.

Final Word: Brave, Bold and Believing
Mill Hill away won’t be easy. It never is. But sport isn’t meant to be easy – and this young, hungry Hoddesdon outfit thrive on challenges. Without Marsh, without several regulars, and with the odds stacked against them, they go into Saturday’s clash with freedom and belief. Could this be the week where Hoddy’s Green Machine clicks into gear and derails the title favourites? Stranger things have happened.

One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a cracker in the capital.

#GreenMachine