MATCH PREVIEW: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Ickleford CC 3rd XI — Saturday, July 5th @ Hertingfordbury

Location: St Mary’s Lane, Hertingfordbury, Hertford, SG14 2LE
Competition: HPCL Division 12 East
Start Time: 13:00
Weather Forecast: Warm with cloud cover, highs in the low-to-mid 20s

After a frustrating five-wicket defeat to bottom side Letchworth Garden City last weekend, Hoddesdon’s 3rd XI return to home turf this Saturday as they take on Ickleford’s 3rd XI at Hertingfordbury in a crucial mid-table clash in HPCL Division 12 East.

The picturesque setting at St Mary’s Lane will once again play host to the #GreenMachine, with Dan Hawkins set to lead his side for the eighth time this season. Hoddesdon sit 8th in the table on 104 points – level with this weekend’s opponents Ickleford. A win for either side would be a valuable buffer in the congested lower half of the table.

A Stumble at St Chris’
Last Saturday’s away trip to Letchworth looked like an opportunity for Hoddesdon to climb clear of danger, but things didn’t go to plan. Having won the toss for just the second time this season, skipper Hawkins elected to bat – a bold move on a used pitch under bright skies. Despite steady contributions, Hoddesdon struggled to build momentum, ultimately reaching 130 for 9 from their 40 overs. The innings lacked a definitive partnership, and regular wickets hampered any hopes of posting a challenging total. A brisk start with the ball brought hope as the hosts fell to 35 for 3, but a composed recovery saw Letchworth cruise home at 131 for 5 in just 21.2 overs.

There were bright spots: Dan Hawkins continues to lead by example with bat and ball, and Scott Higgins sharp work with ball in hand stood out once again, three wickets to his increasingly impressive reputatio this season. But the result left a bitter taste, particularly given Letchworth’s prior struggles, rooted as they are to the bottom of the table. The challenge now will be bouncing back quickly and ruthlessly.

Same Faces? Possibly.
At the time of writing, Hoddesdon’s squad for this weekend is still to be confirmed. However, last week’s XI could offer clues about who may feature. Expect to see several familiar names on the teamsheet.

The captain will be itching for a repeat performance with the bat, while Neil Pomeroy offers reliability and experience at the top of the order if given the nod. All-rounders like Sampathreddy Palepu and Adam Tackley could once again be key with bat and ball, while Nikunj Pradhan is expected to retain the gloves. Nirosh Perera, Jack Bailey, and George Elsom all played last weekend, and if selected again, will look to contribute more decisively this time around.

The most important inclusion, of course, is skipper Dan Hawkins – whose calm leadership and infectious enthusiasm continue to drive this young side forward.

The Opponents: Ickleford CC 3rd XI
Ickleford come into this clash level on points with Hoddesdon (104). Their campaign has been a mixed bag – three wins, three defeats, and one game conceded. Like Hoddesdon, they’ve struggled for consistency but have shown glimpses of quality. Hoddy’s bowlers will be keen to exploit any vulnerability in Ickleford’s top order early. A strong performance here could hand Hoddesdon the psychological upper hand heading into the back nine of the season.

The Setting: A Welcome Return to Hertingfordbury
Saturday marks a welcome return to Hoddesdon’s adopted HPCL 3rd XI home ground at Hertingfordbury – the charming St Mary’s Lane venue. After recent trips to St Christopher's School and the bright lights of Lowfield, the team will relish the chance to play on more familiar territory. The forecast suggests a warm day with temperatures in the low to mid-20s, but thankfully a bit of cloud cover should provide respite from the heatwave of recent weeks. Conditions look perfect for cricket – not too hot, not too breezy – so expect an even contest between bat and ball.

What’s at Stake?
The HPCL Division 12 East table is starting to take shape, but there’s still all to play for. Hoddesdon are currently 8th, but a win could see them leapfrog as high as 4th, depending on other results. Equally, a defeat would see Ickleford pull away and leave Hoddy glancing nervously over their shoulder once more, especially if Letchworth continue to pick up wins. With games still to play, the season is far from over, but this weekend’s clash could prove a pivotal moment in the campaign – especially for a side still building rhythm and confidence.

Final Word
Dan Hawkins and his men will know they owe themselves a better performance after last week’s disappointment. They’ll be hungry to respond – not just with the bat and ball, but with energy, focus, and team spirit. Expect a fiercely competitive match between two sides locked together on points – and don’t be surprised if it goes down to the final few overs.

Let’s hope for big runs, smart bowling, and maybe even a few fireworks at Hertingfordbury. The points are up for grabs – now it’s time to go get them.

#GreenMachine