Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Saturday 3rd XI head to Hitchin this weekend with renewed belief after finally getting back to winning ways, but they could hardly have been handed a tougher follow-up assignment. Louis Webb’s side travel to face Hitchin CC 5th XI, the Division 12 East leaders, at Pirton Sports & Social Club on Saturday 8th August for a 1pm start, looking to build on last week’s excellent 57-run victory over Letchworth Garden City.

It will be the first time the two sides have met this season, after the original fixture at Hertingfordbury on June 6th was cancelled before a ball was bowled due to very heavy rain. Given the severe drought-like conditions that have gripped local cricket for the last seven weeks, there will be more than a few Hoddesdon players wondering what they would give for some of that rain now. The irony will not be lost on anyone, with the cancelled early-season meeting still leaving both clubs waiting to test themselves against each other.

It is worth noting that the game is being played at Pirton Sports & Social Club and NOT Hitchin Boys School, as advertised on the Play Cricket Website. The full address is Walnut Tree Road, Pirton, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3PX.

Hoddesdon travel in fifth place with 260 points from 13 matches, having won six, lost six and seen one game cancelled. The recent win over Letchworth was badly needed after defeats to Preston, Bayford & Hertford, Datchworth and Ickleford, and it ensured the 3rd XI remain clear of Ickleford in sixth and Bayford in seventh. The middle of the table remains tight, but the victory restored confidence and reminded the squad that their best cricket is still capable of beating sides in this division. Hitchin sit proudly at the top of the table with 335 points from 13 matches, built on ten wins, two defeats and one cancellation. Potters Bar are second on 309 from 14 matches, while Enfield sit third on 292 and Datchworth fourth on 291. Hoddesdon are 75 points behind the leaders, but they remain in the top half and will know that any result against Hitchin would be a major statement as the season moves into its final stretch.

Hitchin 5th XI Currently Sit On Top Of Division 12 East

The hosts arrive in ominous form, having won four of their last five. Their most recent result was a dominant ten-wicket win away at Hatfield & Crusaders, where they bowled the home side out for 142 before racing to 144-0 in 27.5 overs. Before that, Hitchin suffered one of their rare setbacks, losing by three wickets to Potters Bar after making 141-9 from their 40 overs, but they had previously beaten Enfield by ten wickets and Letchworth by nine wickets. Those results underline the challenge facing Hoddesdon. Hitchin’s ability to chase modest targets without losing wickets has been particularly impressive, and wins by ten wickets against both Hatfield and Enfield show a side with real batting depth and confidence. The 84-1 win over Letchworth on July 11 was another example of their control, after Letchworth had been bowled out for just 83 in 21.1 overs.

Hitchin Are The In Form Side

Hoddesdon’s recent results have told a different story, but last weekend’s win changed the mood. The 3rd XI beat Letchworth by 57 runs at Hertingfordbury, making 177-7 before bowling the visitors out for 120. Reece Jones won the Green Jacket with a superb unbeaten 46, Louis Webb contributed strongly with bat and ball, and Mick Billson produced a brilliant spell of 4-21 before stepping up to the 2nd XI this weekend off the back of those heroics. Captain Louis Webb was pleased to see the losing run end, but he knows the trip to Hitchin will demand another step up.

“Last week was massive for us because we needed that winning feeling back,” said Webb. “The lads had kept turning up and working hard, even when results were not going our way, so to get over the line against Letchworth was really important. Now the challenge is to take that confidence into Saturday, because Hitchin are top for a reason and we will have to be switched on from ball one.”

The Hitchin danger men are clear from the season’s statistics. Kezia Hassall is shown as their leading run scorer with 275, while Stuart Gadsden has produced their highest individual score with an unbeaten 65. Finlay Wood’s strike rate of 245.45 also leaps off the page, suggesting Hoddesdon cannot afford to let him settle if he is involved, because players with that kind of scoring speed can change a game in a very short spell. With the ball, Gavin Bidgood is Hitchin’s leading wicket taker with 15 wickets, while Henry Heath boasts the best bowling figures with 5-16. Caleb Scanlan’s economy rate of 1.95 is another major warning sign, because a bowler who can control scoring that tightly puts pressure on batters at the other end and often forces mistakes. Hitchin’s success has clearly been built on more than one or two players, and Hoddesdon will need a collective performance to compete.

The Hosts Have Named Their Side For Saturday's Clash

Webb is realistic about the task but wants his side to embrace it. “These are the games you should look forward to,” he said. “You want to test yourself against the best sides, and Hitchin have been the standout team so far. We are not going there to admire them, though, we are going there to compete, do the basics well and see how much pressure we can put them under.”

Hoddesdon’s selected side has a strong blend of experience, returning players and in-form performers. Webb captains the side and will again be important with both bat and ball, especially after last weekend’s all-round contribution against Letchworth. His leadership has been tested over recent weeks, but he has continued to grow into the role and will have valuable support around him this weekend.

Louis Webb Has Named A Strong Squad For The Away Trip

Nikunj Pradhan is named and brings important batting experience near the top of the order. He played a key role in last week’s victory, forming a crucial opening partnership with Webb, and his ability to occupy time could be vital against a Hitchin attack that has regularly put sides under pressure. Hoddesdon will need batters willing to build innings, not just chase boundaries, and Nikunj has the temperament to do that. Ross Maughan will keep wicket, a role he does not perform often but one he is more than capable of handling. His willingness to take the gloves is another example of the flexibility that has been needed in the 3rd XI this season, and his voice and presence behind the stumps could be important against a strong Hitchin batting line-up. With the bat, Hoddesdon will also be hoping that the big Ross Maughan innings which has been threatening to arrive finally lands at just the right time.

Mark Feely is once again selected and remains one of the side’s key senior figures. His honesty, competitiveness and standards have been a feature of recent weeks, and he gives the middle order a player capable of changing momentum quickly. Feely will know that against the league leaders, Hoddesdon need both experience and bravery, and he brings plenty of both. Robert Aindow returns after a spell with the 2nd XI, and his inclusion gives Hoddesdon another reliable all-round option. Aindow has been a useful performer for the 3rd XI this season, offering control with the ball and calmness with the bat, and his return strengthens the balance of the side. In a fixture where pressure could arrive quickly, his composure may prove especially valuable.

Last week’s Green Jacket winner Reece Jones also plays, and Hoddesdon will hope he can carry that form into another big Saturday. His unbeaten 46 against Letchworth was full of confidence and clean striking, made even more remarkable by the fact he had turned up worse for wear after a heavy session the night before. There may be no country music preparation this time, but another Reece Jones contribution would be very welcome. Ash Hill returns after being unavailable recently, adding another positive selection boost. Hill has shown this season that he can contribute with both bat and fielding energy, and his return gives Webb more options. He is the kind of player who can lift a side when he gets going, and Hoddesdon will be pleased to have him back in the group.

Green Jacket Winner Reece Jones

Nirosh Perera also steps up, with the 4th XI captain free this weekend because his usual side do not have a fixture. His presence brings vital leadership, experience and calm to the 3rd XI, and he will be a valuable support for Webb on and off the field. Having another captain in the side can make a real difference during tight passages of play, especially away to the league leaders. Benjamin Strong is named and offers another important all-round presence. He has bowled economically and batted with quality in recent appearances, and he is also a safe pair of hands in the field. Against a Hitchin side with players capable of punishing mistakes, Strong’s reliability could be a major asset.

4th XI Captain Nirosh Perera Will Be A Welcome Addition

Henry Taylor, always a popular figure in the group, also features. Taylor has already shown this season what he can do with the ball, including a standout spell in the earlier win away at Letchworth, and his ability to strike in clusters gives Hoddesdon another genuine wicket-taking threat. He brings energy, character and commitment, all of which will be needed in what could be a demanding afternoon. Scott Higgins completes the selected XI and will once again be a danger with his pace. Higgins bowled beautifully last week against Letchworth, taking 2-21 and helping to turn the game after drinks, and his ability to hurry batters could be crucial against Hitchin’s powerful top order. If he gets rhythm early, he gives Hoddesdon the chance to put pressure on even the strongest opponents.

Henry Taylor

The one notable absentee from last week’s winning side is Mick Billson, but for a very good reason. After his bowling heroics against Letchworth, where he took 4-21 and helped seal the victory, Billson has stepped up to the 2nd XI this Saturday. It is deserved recognition for a superb performance, and it also shows the value of the 3rd XI as a platform for players to contribute across the club.

Webb knows his side will need to start well, particularly after last week’s fielding performance improved only after drinks. “We cannot afford to give Hitchin chances early,” he said. “Against Letchworth we were not good enough in the field before drinks, but the reaction afterwards was excellent. This week we need that second-half standard from the first over, because top sides punish you if you let them off.”

Hoddesdon need runs from the top order, calm decision-making through the middle, and disciplined bowling backed up by sharper fielding than they managed in the first half of last week’s defence. The win over Letchworth proved they can recover from difficult spells, but Hitchin are unlikely to offer as many second chances if standards slip. There is also an opportunity here, though, because few fixtures offer a better chance to make people notice. Hitchin are top, in form and full of confidence, but Hoddesdon arrive with a win behind them and a side that contains genuine experience, pace, leadership and batting depth. If they can absorb pressure and create some of their own, this could become a fascinating contest. The weather is expected to be dry again, with the long spell of heat and drought continuing to shape local cricket. It is a far cry from the washout on June 6, when heavy rain prevented the first meeting of the season from starting at Hertingfordbury. This time, both sides should finally get the chance to settle matters on the field.

Selected XI: Louis Webb (Captain), Nikunj Pradhan, Ross Maughan (Wicket keeper), Mark Feely, Robert Aindow, Reece Jones, Ash Hill, Nirosh Perera, Benjamin Strong, Henry Taylor, Scott Higgins.

Fixture Details:
Hitchin CC 5th XI v Hoddesdon CC Saturday 3rd XI
Saturday 8th August 2026
1pm start
Division 12 East
Pirton Sports & Social Club (NOT HITCHIN BOYS SCHOOL AS ADVERTISED ON PLAY CRICKET)

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