Hoddesdon CC Saturday 3rd XI produced a sensational all-round display on Saturday afternoon to blow away early league leaders Bayford & Hertford CC 2nd XI by six wickets at Bayford Green and announce themselves as genuine contenders in Division 12 East.

After the agony of last weekend’s one-wicket defeat against Datchworth, Dan Hawkins’ side responded in the best possible fashion with a ruthless bowling performance followed by a calm and clinical chase that wrapped up victory inside 26 overs. The result not only handed Hoddesdon a richly deserved first league win of the season, but also catapulted the side up to third place in the early Division 12 East table with 44 points from their opening two matches. For a side that left Hertingfordbury frustrated seven days earlier, this was exactly the sort of response Hawkins had been hoping for. And perhaps even more impressively, they achieved it away from home against a Bayford side who entered the match top of the division after skittling Hatfield and Crusaders for just 64 the previous weekend.

The home side had arrived full of confidence, Hoddesdon left with the points.

Having won the toss, Hawkins made the brave but inspired decision to field first under cool but dry conditions at Bayford Green. It quickly became clear that the Hoddesdon captain had judged the conditions perfectly. The opening overs from Louis Webb and Hawkins himself were disciplined, aggressive and relentless. Runs became almost impossible to find and pressure built immediately.

Webb struck first when Adam Strickland was caught brilliantly by Tyler Burroughs for 10, and moments later Hawkins removed Andy Smith for just 2 thanks to a sharp catch from wicketkeeper Ben Marques. The new signing made an immediate impact behind the stumps and looked assured throughout the afternoon.m What followed was a devastating spell of bowling that effectively ripped the heart out of Bayford’s batting lineup.

Hawkins, bowling with remarkable accuracy, trapped Leo Baxendale for a duck before dismissing Piratheepan Nithiyanantham for another duck shortly afterwards. At 12-4, Bayford were suddenly in complete disarray. The Hoddesdon fielders fed off the momentum superbly. Every stop was cheered. Every dot ball celebrated. Energy levels remained sky high throughout.

Scott Higgins, returning to the side after being highlighted in the preview as a genuine wicket-taking threat, fully lived up to the billing. The young seamer produced an outstanding spell, claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs and bowling with pace, aggression and intelligence throughout. Sam Newall became one of Higgins’ victims after Connor Taylor held a catch, while Ben Dearman and Alan Pikesley also fell to the Hoddesdon quick as the visitors tightened their grip on proceedings.

Freddie Hawkins also impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets during an excellent five-over spell.

Jack Strickland fell to a catch from Sampathreddy Palepu, while Lakshman Sivarathan — Bayford’s top scorer with 24 — eventually departed thanks to a smart catch by Benjamin Strong. The discipline shown by the Hoddesdon attack was especially pleasing. After conceding 36 extras against Datchworth the previous week, Hawkins’ men tightened things considerably here, with Bayford managing just 13 extras in total. That improvement alone highlighted how quickly lessons had been learned.

The skipper himself was simply outstanding. Dan Hawkins finished with extraordinary figures of 3 wickets for just 2 runs from six overs, including five maidens in a spell that completely suffocated the Bayford batting lineup. It was proper captain’s bowling, measured, accurate and utterly ruthless. Speaking afterwards, Hawkins admitted the team had been desperate to respond positively after the disappointment of opening weekend.

“The lads were brilliant from the very first over,” Hawkins said.

“Last week hurt because we were so close, but the reaction today was outstanding. Everybody turned up ready to compete.”

The skipper was particularly pleased with the intensity shown in the field.

“Our energy was miles better this week. Every single player contributed something and we never let Bayford settle.”

“When you bowl a side out for 73 away from home against a team who were top of the league, you’ve obviously done a lot right.”

Despite the early collapse, Bayford did manage brief resistance through Lakshman Sivarathan and Sam Newall, who made 24 and 11 respectively, but Hoddesdon never allowed any meaningful recovery to develop. Webb returned excellent figures of 2-23 from eight overs, Higgins took 3-18, young Freddie Hawkins claimed 2-11 and captain Hawkins led from the front with his magnificent 3-2. Eventually Bayford were dismissed for just 73 in 30.4 overs.

Given Bayford’s explosive batting display the previous week, the achievement should not be underestimated. It was a seriously impressive bowling performance. The chase itself was handled calmly and professionally. Ross Maughan and Freddie Hawkins opened the innings knowing a steady start would likely be enough to secure victory. Maughan looked composed once again and struck a boundary during his 15 before eventually falling to Lakshman Sivarathan with the score on 22. Tyler Burroughs then chipped in with a quick 5 before being caught off the same bowler, but Hoddesdon never appeared remotely flustered. Freddie Hawkins anchored the chase beautifully. The youngster showed maturity far beyond his years during an unbeaten 37 from 68 deliveries, striking seven boundaries and controlling the innings superbly from start to finish. It was an innings built on patience, composure and excellent shot selection. Importantly, Freddie resisted any temptation to force the pace unnecessarily. He simply absorbed pressure, rotated strike intelligently and punished loose deliveries whenever Bayford lost discipline.

Mark Feely added a battling 6 during a typically gritty stay at the crease before falling lbw to Ben Dearman, while Sampathreddy Palepu contributed another determined effort despite scoring only 2. By this stage though, the result already felt inevitable. Ben Marques then joined Freddie at the crease to help complete the job, with the wicketkeeper finishing unbeaten on 1 as Hoddesdon reached 74-4 in 25.5 overs to seal victory by six wickets.

The celebrations afterwards reflected not only relief at getting the first win on the board, but genuine pride in the manner of the performance. This was not a scruffy victory, it was a dominant one. The updated Division 12 East table now paints a far healthier picture for Hawkins’ side.

Hoddesdon climb into third place on 44 points after two matches, sitting behind only Datchworth and Hitchin in the very early standings. Considering how close the Datchworth game had been just a week earlier, it is easy to imagine Hawkins quietly wondering what might already have been. Still, there is little sense dwelling on missed opportunities after a result as impressive as this one. The most encouraging aspect for Hoddesdon supporters may actually be the balance developing within the side.

Experienced heads such as Mark Feely, Tyler Burroughs and Ross Maughan continue to provide calmness and leadership, while younger players like Freddie Hawkins and Scott Higgins are already beginning to make huge impacts. Meanwhile, players such as Webb, Strong, Palepu, Taylor and Marques all contributed positively to an excellent team display. That togetherness and collective spirit was something Hawkins was especially eager to praise after the game.

“It felt like a proper team performance,” the skipper said.

“Nobody was worried about individual stuff. Everybody just wanted to do their job for the side.”

“That’s the sort of attitude that wins cricket matches.”

Hawkins also reserved special praise for son Freddie Hawkins and Scott Higgins following their standout contributions.

“Freddie batted brilliantly. Really mature innings in a chase where it would have been easy to panic a bit.”

“And Scott was outstanding with the ball. He gives us real energy and aggression.”

With confidence now building rapidly and momentum swinging firmly in Hoddesdon’s favour, Saturday’s victory at Bayford Green may yet prove a hugely important moment in the early weeks of the season. For now though, Hawkins and his players can simply enjoy a thoroughly deserved triumph — one built on discipline, teamwork and a ruthless determination to bounce back stronger.

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