Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI travel to Whitwell Recreation Ground this Saturday to face Preston CC, Herts 4th XI, with Louis Webb’s side looking to halt a difficult recent run and turn encouraging passages of cricket into a much-needed victory. The 3rd XI have had a demanding few weeks in Division 12 East, but they remain firmly in the pack, sitting fifth on 216 points and still within striking distance of the sides above them if they can rediscover the winning touch that had them riding high earlier in the campaign.

The latest league table shows just how tight and competitive the division has become as the season moves towards its crucial final stretch. Hitchin 5th XI lead the way on 293 points, with Datchworth 3rd XI second on 255, Enfield 4th XI third on 249 and Potters Bar 4th XI fourth on 219. Hoddesdon sit fifth, just three points behind Potters Bar and four ahead of Ickleford, meaning there is still plenty to play for despite recent defeats against Bayford & Hertford, Datchworth, Ickleford and Enfield.

Division 12 East

Those results have been tough to take, but they have also come against sides who are now firmly involved in the upper half of the table. Hoddesdon’s last four completed games have included a home defeat to Bayford & Hertford by eight wickets, an away loss to Datchworth by 73 runs, a 54-run reverse at Ickleford and a narrow 22-run defeat against Enfield in a fiery contest at Hertingfordbury. It has been a difficult spell, but even in defeat the 3rd XI have continued to collect useful bonus points and produce individual performances that offer encouragement. Captain Louis Webb has carried the responsibility for several weeks now, with regular skipper Dan Hawkins continuing to play his part in the 2nd XI’s fight for survival. It has been a real test of leadership for Louis, particularly with changing availability and a side that has mixed experienced heads with young players making their way in senior cricket. He has handled that responsibility with maturity, and Saturday gives him another chance to stamp his mark on the team in a fixture Hoddesdon will view as a genuine opportunity to get moving again.

Webb said: “It has definitely been a challenge, but I am enjoying it and learning a lot each week. Dan stepping up to the 2s is important for the club and we all understand that, so my job is to keep this side positive, organised and believing that a win is close. We have had some difficult results, but I do not think we are far away and the mood is still good.”

Preston come into the game ninth in the table on 135 points, but their recent form shows a side capable of upsetting anyone on the day. They ended a losing run last weekend with a nine-wicket victory over Hatfield & Crusaders, chasing 148 with real authority and finishing on 150 for one in 29.4 overs. That result followed defeats to Potters Bar, Hitchin and Letchworth Garden City, so Preston will arrive with renewed confidence and a clear incentive to build on their most recent performance. Their wider recent run makes interesting reading, because although they remain near the bottom of the table, they have not been pushovers. They made 177 for six against Potters Bar before losing by five wickets, posted 198 for seven against league leaders Hitchin before being beaten by just two wickets, and were restricted to 116 for six in a 39-run loss to Letchworth Garden City. Those scores suggest a side that can bat time, compete hard and make opponents work, even if results have not always gone their way.

Whitwell Recreation Ground Plays Host To The 3rd XI

The Preston batting danger men are led by Craig Tennant, who tops their run chart with 137 runs from eight innings and a best of 47. Andrew Hedges has 130 runs at an impressive average of 43.33, including a half-century, while captain John Garnham has 119 runs and a top score of 59, which came against Hoddesdon earlier in the season. Iain Williamson, Harry Fleckney and Greig Hearne also add depth, with Fleckney’s unbeaten 55 against Potters Bar underlining his ability to influence a game with bat as well as ball.

Preston’s bowling threats are equally clear, with Harry Fleckney the standout performer so far. He has taken ten wickets, including a superb best of 5 for 9, and his economy rate of 4.36 shows that he can combine wicket-taking with control. Gillan Ide and Iain Williamson have six wickets each, while Srini Nanjundan’s 4 for 18 against Hoddesdon earlier in the season is a reminder that the visitors will need to bat with discipline, patience and clear decision-making if they are to post or chase a competitive total.

Webb knows Preston are more dangerous than their league position might suggest, particularly after their win over Hatfield last weekend. He said: “You only have to look at their scores to see they have players who can hurt you. They pushed Hitchin close, they have bowlers with wickets behind them, and they will take confidence from winning last week, so we have to respect that and start well. At the same time, we know what we can do when we put all three parts of the game together.”

Hoddesdon will be boosted by the return of several important players, with Ben Strong, Mark Feely and Nikunj Pradhan all coming back into the side. Strong has impressed with both bat and ball this season, providing control when bowling and positive intent with the bat, while Feely brings experience, calmness and the ability to build an innings in tricky situations. Nikunj adds further strength and options, giving Louis Webb a more balanced side as Hoddesdon look to respond after a run of frustrating Saturdays.

Nikunj Pradhan Returns To The Side, Alongside Feely And Strong

There is also good news for the club pathway, with Caleb Harding making his 3rd XI debut after impressing in the 4th XI recently. It is a well-deserved call-up and another sign that young players are being given opportunities to progress through the senior sides when their performances demand it. Hoddesdon have taken great pride this season in giving young cricketers meaningful roles, and Caleb will be keen to make the most of his chance in a competitive league fixture. Another fresh face is Oscar Ramsdale, who becomes the eleventh man in the side and is welcomed into Saturday cricket with the club. Oscar is new to Hoddesdon and contacted the club through Instagram after seeing online what the club is about, showing again the value of the work being done to promote HCC and make it an attractive place to play. He comes into a side that will welcome him warmly and give him every chance to settle quickly.

Caleb Harding makes His 3rd XI Debut On Saturday

Young Barney Webb will keep wicket, and his return behind the stumps is particularly pleasing after he bravely injured himself in the Shoddy XI friendly against Harry Mason’s Tottenham Away Days XI at Lowfield. Barney stopped a ball with his foot at a key moment in that T20 contest, effectively helping win the game, and although there will no doubt be more knocks and bruises along the way, that resilience says plenty about his character. He will line up alongside brother and captain Louis, as well as dad Paul Webb, giving the 3rd XI another strong family flavour.

Webb added: “It is great to have Barney back keeping because he has been really tidy with the gloves and he is growing in confidence every game. Having Dad in the side helps as well, because he has seen pretty much everything in cricket and he is always calm, even when things get tense. With Caleb coming in, Oscar joining us and a few experienced lads returning, it feels like a good mix and hopefully that shows on Saturday.”

The full Hoddesdon side is: Louis Webb, Ross Maughan, Paul Webb, Barnaby Webb, Sampathreddy Palepu, Mark Feely, Reece Jones, Nikunj Pradhan, Benjamin Strong, Caleb Harding and Oscar Ramsdale.

The weather is set to be fair, warm and dry, which should make for good cricketing conditions at Whitwell Recreation Ground. After several weeks of scorching temperatures and demanding afternoons in the field, Saturday looks more manageable, but Hoddesdon will still need energy, concentration and better execution in the key moments. The batting unit will be looking for partnerships, the bowlers will be looking to apply pressure for longer spells, and the fielders will know that the little things could decide a game between two sides desperate for points.

For Hoddesdon, the challenge is simple enough to describe but harder to deliver: start well, stay calm, and make the good passages last longer. The 3rd XI have shown enough quality this season to know that a turnaround is possible, and with experience returning, youngsters stepping up and Louis Webb continuing to grow into the captaincy, this weekend offers a genuine chance to reset the tone. A win at Preston would not just move Hoddesdon up the table; it would restore confidence, reward effort and remind the division that the 3rd XI still have plenty left to say.

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