Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Saturday 3rd XI return to Hertingfordbury Cricket Ground this weekend with one clear aim: find the win that gets their Division 12 East campaign moving again. After a tough run of results, Louis Webb’s side host Letchworth Garden City 5th XI on Saturday 1st August, knowing that the table remains tight enough for one good afternoon to change the mood completely.

The 3s have endured a difficult few weeks, with defeats against Enfield, Ickleford, Datchworth, Bayford & Hertford and Preston leaving them searching for that elusive spark. Yet the bigger picture still offers encouragement, because Hoddesdon remain fifth in the table on 230 points from 12 matches, with 30 batting points and 40 bowling points showing that even during defeats there has been enough fight, skill and resilience to keep picking up useful reward. At the top of the division, Hitchin 5th XI lead the way on 305 points, followed by Enfield 4th XI on 279, Datchworth 3rd XI on 261 and Potters Bar 4th XI on 249. Hoddesdon sit just behind that group in fifth, ahead of Ickleford on 223, Bayford & Hertford on 220 and Saturday’s visitors Letchworth Garden City on 193. Preston and Hatfield & Crusaders occupy the bottom two positions, but the table shows how quickly the middle of the division can shift with one strong result.

Despite Recent Defeats, Hoddesdon Remain 5th

For Hoddesdon, the challenge now is not to panic, but to reset. The recent run has been frustrating, but it has not been without positives, and this weekend’s fixture offers a chance to rediscover the feeling that came when the two sides met earlier in the season. Back on Saturday 30th May, Hoddesdon travelled and came away with a fine four-wicket victory, bowling Letchworth out for 127 in 36.5 overs before chasing the target down at 131-6 in 35.4 overs. That previous meeting was built on an excellent collective bowling performance. Henry Taylor was the star with the ball, taking 4-9 from five overs, while Benjamin Strong and Austin Bean both picked up two wickets apiece. Louis Webb and Dan Hawkins also struck once each, with Hoddesdon showing control, patience and discipline to restrict Letchworth to a score that could be chased.

The reply was not always straightforward, but Hoddesdon showed enough calm to get over the line. Freddie Hawkins made 21 from 54 balls, Reece Jones added 15, Henry Taylor contributed 16, Benjamin Strong made 11 and Ben Marques was unbeaten on 9. Extras played a major part, with 40 coming Hoddesdon’s way, but it was still a proper away win and the sort of result this group will be looking to use as a reminder of what they are capable of.

Hoddesdon Won The Previous Meeting By 4 Wickets

Captain Louis Webb, who continues to lead the side while Dan Hawkins remains involved with the 2nd XI, believes the previous result is useful but not something Hoddesdon can rely on. He said: “We know we beat them earlier in the season, but that will not mean anything once Saturday starts. We have to earn everything again, and after the last few weeks it is important that we start well, stay positive and keep believing in what we are doing.”

Webb has had a hard introduction to captaincy during a challenging spell, but he has continued to show maturity in the role. He has had to balance availability issues, selection changes and difficult match situations, while also trying to keep spirits high in a side that has not always had the results its effort deserved. The message this week is simple: keep competing, keep backing each other and trust that the win will come.

He added: “It has been a tough few weeks, but the attitude has never gone away. The lads are still turning up, still working hard and still looking after each other, and that is a big thing for me as captain. We have had moments in games where we have played some really good cricket, but now we need to put more of those moments together across the whole afternoon.”

The selected side has a good blend of experience, youth and lower-order fight. Webb captains from the top of the order and is joined by Nikunj Pradhan, who adds valuable batting experience and the ability to build an innings. Tyler Burroughs is available and gives the side a dangerous all-round option, with his experience and power capable of changing the shape of a game quickly. Mark Feely is once again named and will bring both character and quality to the middle order. Feely has been a vocal and committed figure in recent weeks, demanding higher standards while also backing the younger players around him, and Hoddesdon will hope his experience can help guide the side through important moments. Reece Jones is also included and adds another dependable batting option, while his continued hard work gives the side depth and energy.

George Kimberley will keep wicket, taking the gloves in a side that has seen several players step into that role over recent weeks. Behind the stumps will be an important position on Saturday, especially against a Letchworth side whose batting has not always fired but does contain players capable of occupying time and frustrating bowlers. Kimberley’s performance with the gloves could be key if Hoddesdon create chances early.

George Kimberley Will Wear The Gloves

There is also plenty of experience in the shape of Mick Billson and Jon Dean. Billson offers calmness, know-how and a competitive edge, while Dean plays only his second league game of the season after making his return at Datchworth a few weeks ago. Both men bring senior presence to the side, and both will be keen to contribute in what feels like a very important fixture for the 3rd XI. The younger element is also well represented. Caleb Harding, who has impressed enough to earn further opportunities, gets the nod as a promising seam-up bowler, while Barney Webb continues in the side as one of only two Webbs selected this week. With Paul Webb and Freddie Webb both involved with the 2nd XI, Louis and Barney carry the family name for the 3s this weekend, and Barney’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn remain big positives for the club.

Scott Higgins gives the side a pace option and will be looking to make an impact with the ball. Higgins has bowled some useful spells this season and has the ability to hurry batters when he finds rhythm, particularly if there is any carry or movement at Hertingfordbury. His role could be crucial in supporting the rest of the attack and keeping pressure on Letchworth during the middle overs.

Scott Higgins Pace With The Ball In Hand Could Be Crucial

Letchworth arrive in eighth place, with four wins, seven defeats and one cancelled fixture from their 12 matches. Their recent results show a side searching for consistency, with their latest outing ending in a narrow one-wicket defeat against Hatfield & Crusaders after being bowled out for 141. Before that, they lost by four wickets to Potters Bar despite making 180-7, were bowled out for 83 in a nine-wicket defeat against Hitchin, and lost by 88 runs to Enfield after reaching 101-9. Those results suggest vulnerability, but Hoddesdon will know there is no room for complacency. Letchworth have still collected 193 points and have enough individual quality to cause problems if allowed to settle. Their top batting statistics show Mike Forrester leading the way with 162 runs from seven innings, while Matthew Heath has 160 from eight, Harry Forrester has 127 from six, Callum Philbey has 96 and Ankit Bhatnagar has 77, including a high score of 55.

The top individual scores also underline the main threats. Bhatnagar made 55 against Bayford & Hertford, Philbey hit 45 in the same fixture, Mike Forrester made an unbeaten 42 against Enfield, while Harry Forrester and Matthew Heath both produced scores in the 40s against Potters Bar. None of those numbers suggest a side packed with huge totals, but they do show several players capable of making useful contributions if Hoddesdon allow partnerships to build.

Letchworth's Recent Results

With the ball, Amy Mitchell sits top of Letchworth’s season list with eight wickets, including best figures of 2-11. Jack Coles has six wickets, while Charles Cook, Teddy Edwards and Deepika Subasinghe have five each. Ankit Bhatnagar has four wickets and Mike Forrester also has four, meaning Letchworth have spread their wickets around and will not be reliant on just one bowler to carry their attack.

Their best bowling performances this season include Matthew Pike’s 4-36 against Enfield, Bhatnagar’s 3-10 against Preston, Subasinghe’s 3-14 against Hatfield & Crusaders, Coles’ 3-21 against Letchworth’s earlier game with Hatfield, and Teddy Edwards’ 3-21 against Potters Bar. Hoddesdon will need to be smart against that attack, especially after recent games where promising starts have not always turned into the totals the side wanted.

Letchworth Garden City CC

Webb said: “The batting is something we have spoken about, because we have had players getting starts and then not quite going on. We need to be a bit clearer in our decision-making, leave well when we need to, and be brave when the ball is there to hit. Nobody needs to do anything silly, but we do need someone to take responsibility and make a match-winning score.”

That search for a match-winning contribution has been a theme of recent weeks. Paul Webb won the Green Jacket last weekend for his all-round effort at Preston, but he is now away with the 2nd XI, leaving others with the chance to step forward. That is the opportunity facing players such as Burroughs, Feely, Pradhan, Reece Jones and the skipper himself, all of whom have the ability to make decisive contributions.

The weather should be far more manageable than some of the recent scorching Saturdays. Forecasts suggest fair, warm and dry conditions in the mid-20s, which should make for a good afternoon of cricket without the punishing heat that has affected several games in July. Hertingfordbury has already seen its share of tough contests this season, and Hoddesdon will hope home familiarity can help them settle quickly. There is also a broader club story around this side. The 3rd XI have used a wide pool of players this season, with experienced club men, returning faces and younger cricketers all getting opportunities. That can bring inconsistency, but it also shows the value of the team within the club structure, offering a genuine bridge between senior cricket, development cricket and those experienced players still keen to contribute.

Webb added: “The mix is good this week, and I am looking forward to seeing how we go. We have experience in there, we have lads who have played a lot of cricket, and we have younger players who are still improving every game. The main thing is that we enjoy it, compete hard and give ourselves a chance to win.”

The Picturesque Hertingfordbury Cricket Club Will Play Host

For Hoddesdon, this is not about rewriting the season in one afternoon, but it is about changing the direction of travel. A victory would not only halt the losing run, it would also restore confidence and remind the squad that their best cricket is still good enough to beat teams in this division. With plenty of points still available and several sides close together in the table, there remains a lot to play for. Saturday’s opponents will arrive with their own motivation, knowing that a win would pull them closer to Hoddesdon and tighten the middle of the division further. But the home side have already beaten Letchworth once this season, have selected a side with useful experience and attacking options, and will be desperate to put recent frustration behind them. The task now is to turn good words, good intent and good spells into a complete performance.

Selected XI: Louis Webb (captain), Nikunj Pradhan, Tyler Burroughs, Mark Feely, George Kimberley (wicket keeper), Reece Jones, Mick Billson, Jon Dean, Barnaby Webb, Caleb Harding, Scott Higgins.