Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Southgate Adelaide CC 3rd XI
Hertingfordbury CC – St Mary’s Lane, Hertingfordbury, SG14 2LE
Saturday 7th June 2025 – 1:00pm Start
HPCL Division 12 East

Green Machine Return to Fortress Hertingfordbury with Eyes on Vital Victory
After running title contenders Old Albanian CC 3rd XI all the way last Saturday in one of the most courageous displays of the season, Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI return to home soil at Hertingfordbury this weekend looking to convert brave performances into crucial league points.

Dan Hawkins’ side will host Southgate Adelaide 3rd XI in Round 5 of HPCL Division 12 East — a fixture that looks increasingly pivotal for both teams as the first half of the campaign approaches its midway point.

League Context – A Big Day for Both Sides
Here is how the HPCL Division 12 East table stands heading into this Saturday’s fixtures:

Pos Team P W L Pts
1 Mill Hill Village CC - 4th XI 4 3 1 120
2 Old Albanian CC - 3rd XI 4 3 1 120
3 Bayford & Hertford CC - 2nd XI 4 2 2 77
4 Ickleford CC - 3rd XI 4 2 1 62
5 Preston CC - Herts - 4th XI 4 1 3 57
6 Datchworth CC - 3rd XI 3 1 2 52
7 Hoddesdon CC - Saturday 3rd XI 4 1 3 46
8 Southgate Adelaide CC - 3rd XI 3 1 1 26
9 Letchworth Garden City CC - 5th XI 3 0 3 19

Hoddesdon currently sit 7th, but with 46 points are firmly in the mix for a mid-table surge — a win on Saturday could leapfrog them into the top 5 depending on other results. Southgate Adelaide (8th, 26 points) have had a mixed start — but like Hoddesdon will view this as a key chance to climb the standings.

Form Guide – Two Hungry Sides Ready to Bounce Back
Both sides come into this game having tasted defeat in recent outings — and will be desperate to set the record straight at Hertingfordbury.

Hoddesdon – Last 5 Results (W L W L)
Lost to Old Albanian
Won friendly vs Mill Hill
Lost to Preston CC
Won vs Datchworth CC

Southgate Adelaide – Last 5 Results (C W L L)
Lost to Mill Hill (friendly)
Lost to Datchworth
Win vs Letchworth
Conceded to Mill Hill

Venue – Hertingfordbury CC
The Green Machine’s home ground will once again host this important clash. The picturesque St Mary’s Lane venue has become a happy hunting ground for Hoddesdon 3rd XI — with batters enjoying the true bounce and bowlers rewarded for accuracy. Last home outing saw a fine 15 run win over Mill Hill in a friendly — and the squad will be keen to feed off home support once again this weekend. The weather does look a bit iffy coming into the game so the surface will largely remain a mystery right up the start of play.

Hoddesdon 3rd XI – Squad for Saturday

1 Daniel Hawkins (Captain)
2 Freddie Hawkins
3 Jack Bailey
4 Seb Mccuallgh
5 Nirosh Perera
6 Nikunj Pradhan
7 George Elsom
8 Scott Higgins
9 Greg Marsh
10 George Kimberley
11 Sam Brown

Players to Watch – Hoddesdon CC
Daniel Hawkins (c)
The captain continues to set an example, with a fluent 28 last week and shrewd leadership. Will aim to anchor the innings.

Freddie Hawkins
An emerging all-round force — picked up 2 wickets last weekend and has been scoring consistently in the top order.

Nirosh Perera
One of the division’s most reliable middle-order batters — a classy 39 against OA showed his calm under pressure.

Scott Higgins
A dangerous seamer with the new ball — capable of early breakthroughs to rock opposition top orders.

Seb Mccuallgh
Continues to develop as a lively batter and energetic fielder — a vital cog in this young side.

Opposition Watch – Southgate Adelaide 3rd XI
It’s been a mixed bag for Southgate Adelaide so far this season — but they have already shown they can beat sides around them in the table. Their batting has been slightly fragile at times — but their bowling unit is experienced, with several canny seamers who will enjoy the Hertingfordbury surface if the overheads favour swing. Adelaide are also dangerous fielders, with a reputation for sharp catching — Hoddesdon will need to be switched on in their running between the wickets.

Milton D'Costa is the danger man with the bat, ready to go big or go home and Alan Radomsky is equally powerful and a big hitter. The bowling attack is deep but Ridhuan Zahar is the man to watch, with 3 wickets from 6 overs for just 12 runs in the last outing, the 1 run win against Mill Hill in a friendly.

The Importance of the Fixture
This fixture could prove absolutely pivotal for both clubs as the table begins to take shape after the first five rounds.

For Hoddesdon:

• A win would lift them potentially into 5th — right back amongst the mid-table pack.
• It would also give them momentum ahead of further key games this month.
• Home wins are vital — and this is one they will fully target.

For Southgate Adelaide:

• A rare away win would take them level on points with Hoddesdon.
• It could drag Hoddesdon back into the lower half of the table.
• They will be looking to build on their lone win of the season.

Captain’s View – Dan Hawkins Speaks
After last week’s gallant performance at Old Albanian, skipper Dan Hawkins was full of praise for his side — and issued a rallying cry for Saturday:

“I thought we were absolutely superb last weekend. To take a side like OA to the wire shows how far we’ve come.”

“We’re growing every week — and there’s so much talent in this group. Now it’s about converting that into wins and climbing the table.”

“Back at home this weekend, the team are buzzing — we want to put in a big performance for our supporters.”

Momentum Building – Signs of Progress
Despite sitting 7th, it’s clear Hoddesdon’s performances are trending upward. The losses have been very narrow and that is something to remeber.

• Narrow 3-run loss to Preston (could easily have been a win)
• 15-run win over Mill Hill in friendly
• 18-run loss to table-topping OA — where they were in the game deep into the final overs
• Emerging talents shining — Saskia Heard, Nirosh, Sam, George Seb and others making major contributions

There is a growing sense that a "big win" is around the corner — and this weekend may be the ideal opportunity.

Match Essentials

• Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Southgate Adelaide 3rd XI
• Saturday 7th June 2025
• 1:00pm
• Hertingfordbury CC
• HPCL Division 12 East
• Entry free for spectators — all welcome!

Final Word
Saturday presents a huge opportunity for the Green Machine to showcase their progress in front of home fans. With Dan Hawkins’ leadership, a powerful bowling attack led by Higgins and Bailey, and the promise of key batting contributions, Hoddesdon will enter this clash with high hopes.

Cheer on our young Green Machine as they look to claim a vital home win!

#GreenMachine