Match Preview: Hoddesdon HCPL 3rd XI v Preston 4th XI

HPCL Division 12 East – Saturday 17 May 2025 – 1:00 PM Start
St Mary’s Lane, Hertingfordbury, SG14 2LE

Fresh from a commanding 55-run win at Datchworth, Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s HCPL 3rd XI return home brimming with confidence as they prepare to face Preston 4th XI this Saturday in HPCL Division 12 East action.

Top of the table after the opening round of fixtures, Hoddesdon will be eager to build on their bright start. Meanwhile, Preston arrive with early-season wounds to heal, having slumped to a heavy defeat in their opener against Ickleford 3rd XI. The contrast in form is stark, but captain Daniel Hawkins knows better than to underestimate any opponent in this unpredictable division.

Last Time Out – Hoddesdon’s Statement Win
Last weekend, Hoddesdon’s 3rd XI delivered a performance full of character, quality and control. Batting first at Datchworth, they overcame an early wobble (5/2) thanks to a composed innings from Paul Webb (63 off 113 balls) and a blistering counter-attack from Ashley Hill (61 off 54).

Hill’s innings not only revived the innings but turned the tide of the match. Backed up by handy cameos from George Kimberley and Louis Webb, Hoddesdon posted 211/7 – a total that proved well beyond Datchworth’s reach.

With the ball, Hill’s influence didn’t end there. His 4 for 34 broke the back of the chase, supported by spells from Scott Higgins (2 for 23) and Nirosh Perera (1 for 15). Datchworth limped to 156/8, and Hoddesdon walked away with maximum points – 30 in total – to leap to the summit of the Division 12 East standings.

Captain Daniel Hawkins praised his team’s balance and discipline:

“We stuck to our plans and didn’t let Datchworth settle. Everyone played a role — that’s the most pleasing thing as skipper.”

Saturday’s game offers the perfect chance to build a winning run early in the season.

The Opposition – Preston CC 4th XI
Preston’s 4th XI endured a tough opening day at home to Ickleford 3rd XI, suffering a defeat that leaves them 6th in the standings with just 8 points, and they now face the daunting task of travelling to league leaders Hoddesdon.

Preston’s main challenge has been consistency with both bat and ball. In their last outing, their bowling attack failed to contain an Ickleford side who piled on the pressure, and their chase fell well short, with only brief resistance in the middle order. Sent into bat by the Ickleford captain, Preston were all out in the 33rd over for 123. The top 4 batters went for a combined four runs but lower order man Srini Nanjundan added a precious 60 to help dig his side out of a hole. It was however, a total that Ickleford had little fear of overhauling, and they did so with relative ease, losing just 5 wickets in little over 35 overs. Nanjundan was again the pick of the performances, grabbing himself two wickets from his 8 overs, including two maidens at a decent economy of 3.38. The all rounder is clearly one to watch and somebody that captain Dan Hawkins must have a plan for, if his side are to be successful again on Saturday. That said, his side are brimming with confidence after their opening day win.

Cricket is rarely predictable. A few early wickets or a breakout performance with the bat could turn things around – and Hoddesdon will need to stay focused.

League Table – Division 12 East (After 1 Round)

1 Hoddesdon CC - 3rd XI 30P
2 Ickleford CC - 3rd XI 30P
3 Mill Hill Village CC - 4th XI 30P
... ... . . ...
6 Preston CC, Herts - 4th XI 8P

Hoddesdon share top spot with three other sides, but lead on net run rate. Preston, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid falling behind in the early-season chase for promotion — or, at the very least, mid-table security.

Players to Watch
Hoddesdon CC HCPL 3rd XI:

Team line ups are not currently available at the time of going to press but let's take a look at who might rise to the occasion:

Ash Hill – Fresh off a man-of-the-match performance, Hill is in sensational form. His ability to change the game with both bat and ball makes him a huge asset.
Paul Webb – The batting anchor. His 63 against Datchworth showcased patience, class, and resilience. If he gets in, he’ll be hard to shift.
Scott Higgins – Opened the bowling with control and aggression. His early breakthroughs often set the tone.
Freddie Hawkins - A seriously good player but will be slightly disappointed with his knock ending early last time out. Certain to put that right at the weekend and show his character.

Preston CC 4th XI:

Watch for their middle order. While Preston struggled as a unit, there were flashes of resistance that could be built upon, with the aforementioned Nanjundan likely to cause problems.

Captain John Garnham had a rare failure when opening the batting last time out, but it is clear the skipper has a lot more to offer and Saturday could be his day.

Match Info

• Fixture: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Preston CC 4th XI
• Date: Saturday 17 May 2025
• Time: 13:00 start
• Venue: St Mary’s Lane, Hertingfordbury, SG14 2LE
• Competition: HPCL Division 12 East
• Entry: Free for spectators

What to Expect
Expect a buoyant home crowd and a determined Hoddesdon side looking to lay down another marker in their pursuit of promotion. If the weather holds, the outfield should be quick, and the pitch at St Mary’s Lane has previously shown signs of being a good one for batters willing to work hard. The atmosphere will be lively — especially with Hoddesdon’s recent form and growing momentum. Can Hawkins’ men make it two from two? Or will Preston spring a surprise?

Follow the Action
Stay up to date on match day via Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s official social channels – including Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Use the hashtag #GreenMachine to join the conversation.

For fixtures, league tables, and more club info, visit www.hoddesdoncricketclub.co.uk

JD's Prediction
Form, home advantage, and squad confidence all point to another Hoddesdon victory. If they continue where they left off last Saturday, it could be a long afternoon for Preston.

That said, cricket’s a funny old game...

#GreenMachine