Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Saturday 3rd XI finally found the winning feeling again at Hertingfordbury on Saturday, beating Letchworth Garden City 5th XI by 57 runs to complete a very satisfying league double over their opponents. After several frustrating weeks of near-misses, dropped chances, strong individual efforts in defeat and a few painful afternoons in the field, Louis Webb’s side produced the result they had been chasing and gave their Division 12 East season a much-needed lift.

It was not perfect, and for a while during the Letchworth chase it looked as though Hoddesdon might make life far more difficult than it needed to be. The home side were poor in the field before drinks, letting standards slip at exactly the moment they needed to squeeze the visitors, but to their credit they regrouped, raised the intensity, and eventually ran out worthy winners. In very warm conditions at Hertingfordbury, Hoddesdon’s 177-7 from 40 overs proved more than enough as Letchworth were bowled out for 120 in 28.5 overs.

The win was built around two outstanding individual performances, with Reece Jones producing the defining knock of the day and Mick Billson rolling back the years with a brilliant spell of bowling. Jones, who somehow arrived ready to play cricket despite still feeling the effects of a Friday night Luke Combs concert at Wembley, struck an unbeaten 46 from just 32 balls, including eight fours and one six. It was a Green Jacket-winning performance, and once again proved that country music, a heavy night and Saturday cricket can sometimes be a surprisingly productive combination.

Hoddesdon won the toss and chose to bat first, looking to put runs on the board and take control of the contest. Louis Webb and Nikunj Pradhan gave the innings exactly the sort of platform that had been missing in recent weeks, adding 91 for the first wicket in 26.2 overs. It was not crash-bang-wallop cricket, but it was disciplined, patient and important, especially after the recent habit of losing early wickets had put pressure on the middle order. Webb led from the front with 47 from 92 balls, batting for 111 minutes and hitting three fours. He was eventually bowled by Matthew Heath with the score on 91, but his contribution gave Hoddesdon the stability they needed and showed again that he is growing into the captaincy role. It was a proper skipper’s innings, not flashy or reckless, but full of responsibility and the understanding that someone had to bat time. Pradhan played his part superbly at the other end, making 31 from 70 balls in a composed opening stand. His innings included three fours and, just as importantly, gave Hoddesdon control during the first half of their allocation. He was eventually caught off Heath with the score on 94, but by then the home side had done the hard work of getting through the new ball and setting a base.

The Skipper Played A Patient Innings

Tyler Burroughs came in at three and made 5 from 17 balls, striking one boundary before being bowled by Matthew Pike. It was not the score he would have wanted, but his presence in the side added experience and balance, and Hoddesdon will know that his all-round ability remains a major asset when he is available. Mark Feely then added useful momentum with 26 from 23 balls, hitting four boundaries and playing with the kind of intent that helped move the innings forward after the openers had set the platform. George Kimberley, keeping wicket for Hoddesdon, had a brief stay with the bat and was bowled by Pike for a duck after just two deliveries. It was not his day with the bat, but he remained an important part of the side behind the stumps and in the field, where every bit of energy mattered as Hoddesdon looked to defend their total. His role as wicketkeeper was another example of the flexibility and team-first approach that has been needed throughout a season of availability changes.

Then came the innings that changed the feel of the match. Reece Jones walked in and played with confidence, freedom and timing, turning a decent position into a competitive total. His 46 not out from 32 balls came at a strike rate of 143.75, and his fifth-wicket partnership with Feely was worth 50 in just 35 balls. That burst lifted Hoddesdon from a solid but slightly cautious score into something that Letchworth would have to work hard to chase. Mick Billson and Jon Dean were both dismissed cheaply, each falling to Lucas Ribchester without scoring. Billson would more than make up for it later with the ball, while Dean’s contribution came through his experience, voice and fielding support on a day when Hoddesdon needed to find a way to lift themselves after a shaky start in the field. Barnaby Webb finished unbeaten on 0 from one ball, while Caleb Harding and Scott Higgins were not required with the bat as Hoddesdon closed on 177-7 from their 40 overs.

Jones Was Presented With The Green Jacket Back At The Clubhouse During The Annual Race Night

Letchworth’s bowling effort was led by Matthew Heath, who returned excellent figures of 2-3 from four overs with two maidens. Lucas Ribchester also impressed with 2-32 from eight overs, while Matthew Pike took 2-31 from seven. Teddy Edwards picked up 1-46 from eight, Jack Coles bowled seven overs for 33, and Charles Cook was tidy with 0-17 from six, but Hoddesdon’s mix of patience at the top and Jones’ late acceleration proved decisive.

The Letchworth reply began in unusual fashion when Matthew Heath had to retire hurt early in the innings with a groin strain. He had made 4 from 18 balls before leaving the field, and although he bravely returned at the end, it was clear that the injury had disrupted the visitors’ plans. Callum Philbey was first out for 4, bowled by Caleb Harding, giving the young seamer a deserved wicket after being trusted with an important role. Pierce Thompson threatened to become the key wicket in the chase. He made 15 from 26 balls, hitting three boundaries, and looked capable of giving Letchworth something to build around before Webb produced a big moment. Thompson was bowled by the Hoddesdon captain, and the celebrations were raucous, partly because the wicket felt important and partly because Hoddesdon thought they had earlier dismissed the bleach blonde batsman after he gloved the ball onto his bat and then into the safe hands of George Kimberley. Thompson's claims that he had 'hit it' were doubly frustrating as Hoddesdon were not appealing for anything other than the obvious caught behind. However, the umpire decided not to raise the finger and that only served to fire up the Hoddesdon team even more.

Mick Billson Was Undoubtedly The Star Of The Show With The Ball

Hoddesdon did not have everything their own way, especially before drinks. The fielding was well below the level the side wanted, with misfields, loose moments and a lack of sharpness allowing Letchworth to stay alive for longer than they should have done. But after the break, the standards improved dramatically, the energy came back, and the wickets began to fall regularly enough to make the result feel increasingly secure.

Captain Louis Webb admitted afterwards that the performance had been mixed, but said the response after drinks was exactly what he wanted to see. “It feels really good to win again, because the lads have kept working hard and we have been getting closer without quite getting over the line,” he said. “The first half of the fielding innings was not good enough and we all knew that, but after drinks the reaction was brilliant and that is what pleased me most.”

Webb was full of praise for Jones, whose Green Jacket-winning knock changed the match. “Reece was outstanding with the bat and gave us the push we needed,” he added. “For him to turn up after a night at Wembley watching Luke Combs and then bat like that was some effort, although I am not sure it is a preparation method we will be recommending every week. He played with freedom, struck the ball brilliantly and fully deserved the Green Jacket.”

The skipper also highlighted Billson’s decisive bowling spell. “Mick was class,” Webb said. “He knows exactly what he is trying to do, he puts the ball in good areas, and once he got into his spell you could feel the game turning our way. He did not get runs, but he more than made up for that with the ball, and performances like that are massive for the team.”

Every player had a part in a much-needed result. Webb led with bat and ball, Pradhan helped build the platform, Burroughs added experience, Feely injected momentum and verbal encouragement, Kimberley kept wicket, Jones won the Green Jacket with a superb unbeaten knock, Billson ripped through the lower order, Dean added senior presence, Barney Webb helped close the innings unbeaten, Harding took an important early wicket and Higgins bowled an excellent controlled spell.

Nikunj Pradhan Laid A Solid Foundation Alongside Louis Webb

It was not flawless, but it was a genuine team win.

The result moves Hoddesdon to 260 points from 13 matches, keeping them fifth in Division 12 East. Hitchin remain top on 335, ahead of Enfield on 292, Datchworth on 291 and Potters Bar on 279, while Hoddesdon now sit seven points clear of Ickleford and 24 ahead of Bayford & Hertford. Letchworth remain eighth on 203, and Hoddesdon’s 30-point win gives the 3rd XI some breathing space and, more importantly, a much-needed shot of confidence. Hertingfordbury was in splendid condition despite the recent drought, and the wicket played very well throughout the afternoon. Hoddesdon are grateful to the grounds team at their adopted home for producing such a good surface in challenging conditions, especially after weeks of dry weather. It provided the stage for a proper contest and, finally, a day for the 3rd XI to enjoy again.

Hoddesdon Occupy 5th Place After Saturday's Well Deserved Victory

For Letchworth, there was credit due to Heath for returning despite his groin injury, to Ribchester for trying to keep the chase alive, and to their bowlers for making Hoddesdon work hard for their runs. But this was Hoddesdon’s day, and after weeks of frustration, the final wicket brought obvious relief. The 3rd XI have done the double over Letchworth Garden City this season, and that is a very pleasing achievement in a campaign that has tested their patience.

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