Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI suffered another frustrating defeat on Saturday afternoon as Preston CC, Herts 4th XI claimed a 42-run victory at Whitwell Recreation Ground. It was a result that continued a difficult recent run for Louis Webb’s side, but there were still significant positives to take from a battling performance, not least the all-round efforts of Paul Webb, who was later named Green Jacket winner for a fine display with both bat and ball.

Preston won the game after posting 232 for 6 from their 40 overs, before Hoddesdon replied with 190 all out in 38.5 overs. The final margin was clear enough on paper, but the visitors stayed in the contest for long periods, particularly through a promising opening stand, another committed spell from the bowlers, and a lower-order effort that ensured the 3rd XI still returned home with 14 useful league points.

Preston CC, Herts Won By 42 Runs

The updated Division 12 East table shows Hoddesdon remaining fifth after 12 matches, with five wins, six defeats and one cancellation leaving them on 230 points. Hitchin 5th XI continue to lead the way on 305, followed by Enfield on 279, Datchworth on 261 and Potters Bar on 249, while Ickleford sit just behind Hoddesdon on 223 and Bayford & Hertford are close too on 220. It is a reminder that, despite recent setbacks, there is still plenty to play for in a tightly packed middle section of the table.

Division 12 East

Preston’s innings was built around a strong platform at the top of the order, with John Garnham and Craig Tennant putting on 103 for the first wicket. Garnham made 38 with six boundaries before being caught by Benjamin Strong off Paul Webb, while Tennant went on to score 66, striking 13 fours in the most substantial innings of the match. That opening stand put Hoddesdon under pressure early, and on a ground where momentum matters, Preston were able to keep enough runs flowing to build a challenging total.

The breakthrough came through Paul Webb, and once he had one, he kept finding ways to drag Hoddesdon back into the contest. He removed Garnham, Andrew Hedges, Harry Fleckney and Kevin Brett to finish with superb figures of 4 for 27 from eight overs, including two maidens, in a spell full of control, nous and persistence. It was a classic Paul Webb performance: accurate, competitive, clever and full of effort, and it was no surprise that it earned him the club’s Green Jacket for the weekend. Paul’s performance was not just about the wickets either, because he also added 31 with the bat and took a sharp one-handed catch in the field. His bowling figures stood out in an innings where Preston otherwise found ways to score, and he gave Hoddesdon a route back into the game when the hosts looked well set for something even bigger. Ross Maughan also picked up a wicket, while Caleb Harding marked his 3rd XI debut with a tidy eight-over spell that brought 1 for 33 and plenty of encouragement.

Green Jacket For Paul Webb

Preston’s middle and lower order did enough to support the strong start, with Greig Hearne making 27 and Mihir Shah finishing unbeaten on 31. Hoddesdon will know the extras column was costly, with Preston helped by 44 in total, including 23 wides, but there was also plenty of honest effort in the field. Barnaby Webb again worked hard behind the stumps in warm conditions, and the younger players in the side continued to show the attitude and commitment that has been a real positive during a testing spell.

Paul Webb Was The Pick Of The Bowlers

Set 233 to win, Hoddesdon began brightly through Paul Webb and Ross Maughan, who put on 53 for the first wicket. Paul struck six fours in his 31 from 31 balls, scoring at exactly a run a ball and giving the innings early purpose, while Ross made 15 from 34 deliveries as he helped lay a more stable foundation than Hoddesdon have managed in some recent weeks. The first wicket fell at 53, and although Paul followed at the same score, the opening partnership had at least given the visitors something to build from. Nikunj Pradhan came in and played positively for his 20 from 29 balls, including three boundaries, while Mark Feely added 24 from 33 balls in another useful contribution. Louis Webb, captaining again in Dan Hawkins’ continued absence with the 2nd XI, made 26 from 46 balls and shared in an important sixth-wicket stand with Sampathreddy Palepu. The scorecard notes show that partnership was worth 50 in 46 balls, lifting Hoddesdon from a tricky position and keeping the chase alive deeper into the innings.

There were moments when Hoddesdon looked capable of dragging the target within reach, especially after passing 150 in the 28th over. Sampathreddy made 17, Barnaby Webb added 10 with a crisp straight four, and Caleb Harding finished unbeaten on 4, but wickets came too regularly for the chase to fully ignite. Preston’s Kevin Brett was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 33, while Eoin Doyle and Sataarj Kohli took two wickets apiece and Harry Fleckney returned an economical 1 for 21 from 6.5 overs.

The Hoddesdon Batting Card

Louis Webb admitted afterwards that the defeat hurt, but he was proud of the effort shown by his side. “We tried our hardest as usual and that is all I can ask for,” he said. “It was lovely to see the two youngsters contributing, with Caleb on debut and Barney doing well again behind the stumps, and Paul was unreal with the ball and batted well too. We are getting closer and closer, and hopefully we can all get to training this week and work on the bits that need improving.”

The skipper also deserves credit for the way he is handling a demanding introduction to captaincy. With Dan Hawkins again selected for the 2nd XI as they battle for survival, Louis has had to lead through a run of tough fixtures, changing availability and close-but-not-quite performances. He has continued to front up, keep the group together and contribute with bat and ball, and the experience should only make him stronger as both a player and leader.

Mark Feely summed up the mood in the group after the game with an honest but uplifting message to his team-mates. “I’m hurting tonight because I dropped two catches and felt I should have gone on and got us closer, but I will work hard this week and be better Saturday,” he said. “There were positives, with Caleb having a good debut, Barney being a little legend under the lid in that heat, Paul Webb winning the Green Jacket with runs, wickets and a one-handed catch, and everyone still backing each other.”

Mark Feely Had Encouraging Words For The Entire Team

Feely’s message also reflected the spirit that remains inside the 3rd XI despite the run of defeats. He praised Louis for continuing to lead through a difficult spell, backed Reece Jones to keep working hard, highlighted Benjamin Strong’s catching, and encouraged Oscar Ramsdale after his first Saturday outing for the club. His closing thought was simple and important: this is one team, they stick together, and they will keep working for each other. That spirit matters because the table still gives Hoddesdon something to chase. They collected eight batting points and six bowling points at Preston, taking 14 in total, which could yet prove valuable in a division where several sides remain closely grouped. Results have not gone their way recently, but the margins, individual efforts and bonus points all suggest this is not a side miles away from turning things around.

For Preston, this was a deserved win and a timely one, moving them to 165 points and keeping them clear of the bottom. Tennant’s 66 and the opening stand did the bulk of the damage, while their bowlers held their nerve well enough when Hoddesdon threatened to make the chase interesting. They took the full 30 points and will feel this was one of their most complete performances of the season.

For Hoddesdon, the wait for a return to winning ways goes on, but there were green shoots even in defeat. Paul Webb’s Green Jacket performance, Caleb Harding’s encouraging debut, Barney Webb’s tidy keeping, Louis Webb’s leadership and the continued commitment of the group all give the 3rd XI reasons to keep believing. The message now is clear: train well, stay together, cut out the avoidable mistakes and trust that the win Louis Webb can feel coming is not too far away.

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