Match Preview: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Letchworth Garden City CC 5th XI

HPCL Division 12 East – Saturday 30th August 2025, 1pm, Hertingfordbury CC

As the summer of 2025 enters its closing stages, Hoddesdon CC’s 3rd XI prepare for their penultimate outing of the season this Saturday, hosting Letchworth Garden City CC’s 5th XI at their home ground, Hertingfordbury CC. With just two matches left to play – this fixture followed by a trip to Ickleford to conclude the campaign – there is still pride and position to play for in HPCL Division 12 East.

For Hoddesdon, it has been a season best described as a mixed bag. There have been flashes of brilliance, a few frustrating afternoons, and enough resilience shown to keep the side away from the relegation scrap. Sitting 6th in the table on 224 points, Scott Higgins’ men are just about mathematically safe, but the squad will be determined to finish strongly and climb a place or two if possible. Victory on Saturday would be a big step in that direction.

Letchworth, meanwhile, arrive at Hertingfordbury with plenty to prove. The 5th XI have endured a difficult season of their own, lying 8th with 163 points – only Southgate Adelaide below them. Their form guide tells the story of inconsistency: two wins, followed by three straight defeats. This is a team that can cause problems on its day, but one that has also struggled for rhythm in recent weeks. Relegation is a real possibility and they will surely be going all guns blazing against Hoddesdon this Saturday.

The State of the League Table

Division 12 East has been a fascinating competition this year, with Old Albanian 3rd XI (395 points) and Mill Hill Village 4th XI (394 points) battling it out for top spot. Behind them, Datchworth and Preston sit comfortably in mid-table, while Bayford & Hertford hold 5th. For Hoddesdon, the aim will be to consolidate 6th and perhaps even challenge Preston or Bayford depending on other results.

At the other end, Southgate Adelaide are cast adrift on 136 points, while Letchworth’s 163 keeps them just above. A win for Letchworth could ease any late-season worries about slipping further, while a defeat would leave them sweating over results elsewhere.

Captaincy and Team News

The Hoddesdon 3rd XI lineup has yet to be finalised, but it is expected that Scott Higgins will continue to lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Dan Hawkins. Hawkins has been heavily involved with the 2nd XI in recent weeks, as they continue their fight to avoid relegation from Division 4A. That battle takes precedence this weekend as they host Hitchin, meaning the 3rd XI will once again turn to Higgins’ calm leadership.

Higgins has had a standout year personally, delivering consistently with the ball across the campaign. In the 2025 season alone, he has bowled 109 overs, taking 17 wickets at an average of 18.65, with best figures of 4/19. His economy rate of 2.91 is exceptional in league cricket, underlining his ability to both control the game and make breakthroughs. Impressively, his wickets account for 17% of Hoddesdon’s total dismissals this season, showing just how central he has been to the team’s efforts.

Those figures tell the story of a bowler in form and a leader by example. Higgins has thrived on responsibility and will once again be the man Hoddesdon turn to when they need control and discipline from one end.

The Visitors – Letchworth’s Danger Men

While Letchworth’s season has been patchy, their stats highlight the individuals Hoddesdon will need to be wary of.

• Vishnu Nair has been the standout with the bat, scoring 207 runs in total for the 5th XI. He also holds the highest individual score of 76 in the side this season. A player capable of building an innings, Nair is likely to be the key wicket for Hoddesdon’s bowlers.
• Callum Philbey provides firepower, boasting the highest strike rate in the team at 125. He can change the course of an innings in quick time, particularly in the middle overs where momentum swings can be decisive.
• With the ball, Teddy Edwards has been Letchworth’s spearhead, claiming 11 wickets including best figures of 4/17. If conditions suit, he will be the bowler Hoddesdon’s batters will want to see off early.
• Nicholas Audet has also impressed with the ball, recording an astonishing economy rate of 1.33. Though perhaps used sparingly, his ability to strangle scoring rates could come into play in the middle overs.

Together, these four form the spine of Letchworth’s 5th XI. If Hoddesdon can nullify their impact, they will go a long way towards securing victory.

Hoddesdon’s Recent Form

The 3rd XI’s form has been a fragmented run of fixtures, with weather and concessions affecting the rhythm. The highlight in recent weeks was a hard-earned win away at Southgate Adelaide, that kept the side comfortably out of danger, but defeats to strong opposition have shown the challenges of competing in this division.

One frustration has been consistency with availability. With the 2nd XI battling relegation, the 3rd XI have often had to reshuffle their pack, giving opportunities to younger players and those on the fringes. While that can sometimes make life difficult in the short term, it has also built valuable experience for Hoddesdon’s developing players.

Letchworth’s Recent Form

The visitors come into this match off the back of three consecutive defeats, but prior to that they had strung together a couple of wins. Much like Hoddesdon, they have found consistency elusive. For them, this game could define whether their season is remembered as a survival scrap or a solid mid-table finish. A defeat would leave them nervously looking over their shoulders going into the final round.

Key Battles to Watch

Higgins vs Nair
Hoddesdon’s leading bowler against Letchworth’s leading batsman. If Higgins can nip out Nair early, it will tilt the game heavily in the hosts’ favour.

Hoddesdon’s Top Order vs Teddy Edwards
Edwards has been the most prolific wicket-taker for Letchworth. How Hoddesdon’s openers negotiate his spell will be crucial in setting a platform.

Middle Overs Control
The battle between Philbey’s strokeplay and Hoddesdon’s spinners (if selected) could dictate whether Letchworth accelerate or stall in the middle overs. Equally, Hoddesdon’s own batters will need to be wary of Audet’s miserly economy.

What’s at Stake?

For Hoddesdon, Saturday represents a chance to finish the season on the front foot. A win here would not only consolidate 6th place but potentially open the door to leapfrogging Bayford & Hertford in 5th depending on results. It would also give the side momentum heading into their final fixture away at Ickleford – a game that, while not decisive in terms of relegation or promotion, carries plenty of local pride.

For Letchworth, the stakes are more serious. Still within mathematical reach of bottom spot, they need points to make sure of survival.

The Venue – Hertingfordbury CC

Hoddesdon’s 3rd XI will once again be based at Hertingfordbury CC this Saturday. The ground has proved a charming alternate venue, offering a different set of conditions for players to adapt to. Traditionally, Hertingfordbury offers a fair balance between bat and ball, with runs available for those willing to work hard but also assistance for bowlers who hit the right areas.

Final Thoughts

As penultimate fixtures go, this one promises intrigue. Hoddesdon are safe but want to climb. Letchworth can’t quite relax. Both sides have match-winners in their ranks, and both know the importance of finishing the campaign with pride.

For Hoddesdon, much will depend on how Scott Higgins and his men execute their plans. Higgins’ superb season with the ball deserves a strong finish, and his leadership will be vital in marshaling what is likely to be another reshuffled XI. If his bowlers can stifle Nair and Philbey, and if the batters can blunt Edwards’ threat, Hoddesdon will back themselves to take the points.

Letchworth, however, will not roll over. They know their danger men are capable of turning games. A quickfire fifty from Philbey, a stubborn knock from Nair, or a devastating burst from Edwards could yet swing things their way.

In the end, expect a contest shaped by key moments – a dropped catch here, a wicket maiden there. Both teams have endured mixed seasons, both have something left to prove. For Hoddesdon, it is about pride and progress. For Letchworth, it is about safety and survival.

Come 1pm on Saturday at Hertingfordbury, we will find out which story wins out.

#GreenMachine