Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Saturday 3rd XI return to Hertingfordbury Cricket Ground this weekend with confidence high, competition for places fierce, and a genuine sense that their season has been reignited. After back-to-back victories over Letchworth Garden City and league leaders Hitchin, Louis Webb’s side now host Potters Bar CC 4th XI on Saturday 15th August in another important Division 12 East fixture.

The mood around the 3rd XI has changed dramatically over the last fortnight. A frustrating run of defeats had left the side searching for a result, but the 57-run home win over Letchworth was followed by a magnificent 155-run victory away to Hitchin, a result that shook the top of the division and gave Hoddesdon one of their most impressive Saturday performances of the season. That win at Hitchin was a statement. Hoddesdon made 253-4 from their 40 overs, with Nikunj Pradhan scoring 65, Reece Jones finishing unbeaten on 57, Mark Feely making 51 and Ash Hill adding 16 not out at the end. They then bowled Hitchin out for just 98, with Henry Taylor taking 3-17, Scott Higgins 2-28, and Louis Webb, Benjamin Strong, Nirosh Perera and Robert Aindow all claiming wickets.

There Was Much Celebration After Last Weeks Victory Over Hitchin

The updated Division 12 East table shows just how valuable that win was. Hitchin remain top on 341 points from 14 matches, but Enfield are now close behind on 322, with Datchworth on 321 and Potters Bar fourth on 309. Hoddesdon sit fifth on 290 points, seven clear of Ickleford and now right back in touch with the sides above them after their superb recent turnaround. Saturday’s visitors Potters Bar arrive at Hertingfordbury one place and 19 points above Hoddesdon. They have won eight of their 14 matches, lost four, had one cancellation, and benefited from one opposition concession, while their 23 bowling bonus points show they have been consistently effective with the ball. Hoddesdon’s batting and bowling bonus totals remain strong too, with 30 batting points and 40 bowling points underlining how often they have stayed competitive even in games that got away from them.

Division 12 East

The recent form guide makes Saturday’s match even more intriguing. Hoddesdon come in off consecutive wins, having beaten Hitchin by 155 runs and Letchworth by 57 runs, after previous defeats to Preston and Bayford & Hertford. Potters Bar, meanwhile, received 30 points last weekend after Hatfield & Crusaders conceded, and before that they beat Enfield by four wickets, defeated Hitchin by three wickets, and edged past Letchworth by four wickets in another close chase. That run shows the scale of the task facing Hoddesdon. Potters Bar have already beaten several of the strongest sides in the division, including Hitchin and Enfield, and they are clearly a team that knows how to win tight games. Their 144-7 chase against Hitchin came in just 18.3 overs, while their 188-6 against Enfield showed they can handle pressure and finish a match when the chance comes.

Potters Bar Arrive In Good Form Themselves

The sides have already met once this season, with Hoddesdon winning by 53 runs away at Dame Alice Owens School on 13th June. On that occasion, Hoddesdon made 143 all out from their 40 overs before bowling Potters Bar out for 90 in 28.3 overs. It was one of the 3rd XI’s most disciplined early-season performances, and the home side will be hoping to repeat that same focus this weekend. Captain Louis Webb knows that previous result will mean little once Saturday begins, but he believes his side should take belief from the way they have played recently. “The last two weeks have shown what this group can do when we put a whole performance together,” he said. “We had a tough spell, but nobody disappeared, nobody hid away, and the response has been brilliant.”

Webb added that the Hitchin result has raised standards rather than allowed the side to relax. “Beating Hitchin away was a massive achievement, but it only really matters if we build on it,” he said. “Potters Bar are above us in the table, they have beaten some very good sides, and we know we will have to play properly again. The lads should have confidence, but we also need discipline, patience and the same energy we showed last week.”

Hoddesdon Won The Previous Meeting By 53 Runs Back In June

Hoddesdon’s selected XI reflects the strength available this weekend, helped by the fact the 4th XI do not have a fixture. Competition for places has been extremely tough, and the side named looks strong on paper, with a blend of in-form batters, experienced club players, useful all-rounders and bowling options. The challenge now is to turn that strength into another complete performance. The team selected is Louis Webb, Nikunj Pradhan, Dharshana Keerthichandra, Mark Feely, Ash Hill, Reece Jones, Tyler Burroughs, Ben Marques, Monty McCullagh, Barnaby Webb and Scott Higgins. It is a side with batting depth, bowling variety and plenty of fielding energy, and it gives Webb options at every stage of the match. Webb will captain the side again and will look to continue leading from the front. He has batted responsibly in recent weeks, contributed with the ball, and grown impressively into the captaincy during a demanding stretch of the season. His opening partnership with Nikunj at Hitchin gave the side a platform, and another strong start would be priceless against a Potters Bar team that has regularly taken wickets this year. He also took 4 wickets himself in that game away at Potters Bar earlier in the season.

Nikunj Pradhan was the star of the show with the bat last week, making 65 from 79 balls with 11 fours in a superb innings against the league leaders. His role at the top of the order will be crucial again, because Hoddesdon’s best recent performances have come when the top order has absorbed pressure and allowed the hitters later on to express themselves. If Nikunj can get in again, Potters Bar will know they have a serious problem. Dharshana Keerthichandra comes into the side and adds another exciting option. His inclusion strengthens the batting and gives Hoddesdon another player capable of influencing the match if he settles quickly. In a side where several players are pushing for places, this is a good opportunity for him to make a mark in an important fixture.

Dharshana Keerthichandra Has The Potential To Bat Big And Long

Mark Feely arrives in excellent touch after making his highest ever score for the club last weekend. His 51 against Hitchin came from 45 balls, with five fours and three sixes, and his partnership with Reece Jones transformed Hoddesdon’s innings. Feely brings experience, power and honesty to the side, and he will be looking to carry that form into another big game. Ash Hill also keeps his place after returning recently and making an immediate impact. His unbeaten 16 from nine balls at Hitchin, including two sixes, was the perfect late cameo and helped lift Hoddesdon beyond 250. He is a dangerous player when he gets going, and his ability to change the pace of an innings makes him a valuable middle-order option. Reece Jones is another player full of confidence after a superb fortnight. He made 46 not out against Letchworth, then followed it with 57 not out against Hitchin, meaning he has scored 103 runs without being dismissed across his last two innings. That first-ever fifty was a brilliant moment for Reece, and Hoddesdon will hope he continues riding that wave.

Ash Hill Offers A Threat With Both Bat And Ball

Tyler Burroughs adds experience and all-round quality to the side. He is a dangerous cricketer with the ability to contribute in multiple ways, and his presence gives Webb another senior option if the match begins to tighten. Against a side as competitive as Potters Bar, players with calm heads and match awareness could prove vital. Ben Marques and Barnaby Webb are both named, and it is currently unknown who will keep wicket. Either man would do a fitting job, with Marques bringing experience behind the stumps and Barney continuing to develop as one of the club’s promising young players. Having two capable options in the side is no bad thing, and it speaks well of the squad’s flexibility. Monty McCullagh also features and brings youthful energy and useful bowling variety. He has shown in previous appearances that he can contribute with the ball and in the field, and this is another opportunity for him to keep developing in senior cricket. The 3rd XI has played an important role in giving younger players meaningful Saturday opportunities, and Monty will be keen to make his chance count.

Ben Marques Has Been A Great Addition To The Club This Season

Scott Higgins completes the side and remains one of Hoddesdon’s major threats with the ball. His pace was important again at Hitchin, where he took 2-28 and removed key batters, and his ability to hurry opposition players gives the attack a real edge. If Higgins gets rhythm at Hertingfordbury, he can be a difficult proposition for any side in the division.

Potters Bar’s danger men are clear from the data. Kenny Horsman leads their batting charts with 192 runs from five innings at an average of 38.40, including a top score of 84 against Preston. Angshu Bhowmik has 67 runs at an impressive average of 67.00, with an unbeaten 63 against Preston, while Nathanial Faldo, Leo Tyler, Jait Shukla, Ansh Mithal, Pranav Dave, Shrut Patel and Aarav Dave have all contributed across the season.

Their top individual batting performances show they have players capable of taking a game away. Horsman’s 84 is their standout score, while Niloy Mitra made an unbeaten 71 against Letchworth, Yogeshkumar Patel struck 65 not out against Ickleford, Neeraj Mithal made 64 against Hitchin, and Angshu Bhowmik’s unbeaten 63 against Preston underlines the depth of their batting options. Hoddesdon will need to bowl with the same discipline and aggression that brought them success last weekend.

With the ball, Potters Bar look particularly dangerous. Shrut Patel leads their wicket list with nine, having bowled 50.1 overs for 160 runs at an economy rate of 3.19, while Yogeshkumar Patel has eight wickets at an outstanding average of 8.75 and best figures of 4-19. Alex Bhowmik has seven wickets, Leo Tyler has six, and Tuhin Mitra has five, giving them a strong and varied attack.

Their best bowling performances this year include Yogeshkumar Patel’s 4-19 against Hitchin, Shrut Patel’s 3-11 against Datchworth, Alex Bhowmik’s 3-17 against Preston, Tuhin Mitra’s 3-32 against Enfield, and Chan Basha Shaik’s 3-33 against Hitchin. That spread of wicket-takers suggests Hoddesdon cannot simply see off one bowler and expect the pressure to disappear, because Potters Bar have threats throughout their attack.

The Potters Bar 4th XI Line Up From Their Last Outing, An Away Win At Enfield CC

Webb said: “They look a really strong side, especially with the ball, so we will need to bat smartly. Last week Nikunj gave us a brilliant base, then Mark and Reece pushed the game away from Hitchin, and that is the sort of model we want. Everyone does not have to go at the same pace, but everyone has to understand their role.”

He also praised the strength of the squad available this weekend. “Selection was tough because the 4s do not have a fixture due to availability, so there are a few who unfortunately miss out on a game of cricket this week” Webb said. “It means people have to earn places, it means the side is strong, and it gives us real options. The challenge for the eleven picked is to go out and justify that faith.”

Hertingfordbury should again provide a good stage for an important Division 12 East contest. Hoddesdon have enjoyed some excellent days there this season, and the ground has become a proper adopted home for the 3rd XI. After two confidence-building wins, another strong performance at home would keep the pressure on the sides above and further strengthen Hoddesdon’s top-half position. There is also a mental challenge after such a big win. The victory over Hitchin was superb, but the best teams back up big performances rather than dine out on them. Potters Bar are too strong and too close in the table for Hoddesdon to drift through the afternoon, and Webb’s side will know they must be sharp from the first over. If the batters can again share the work, there is no reason Hoddesdon cannot post or chase a competitive total. Pradhan, Feely and Jones are all coming off major contributions, Dash adds power, Webb brings control, and the lower order has depth. Add in bowling options such as Higgins, Hill, Monty, Webb, Pradhan and others, and this is a side with plenty of routes into the match.

All The Threes: The Third XI Are Chasing A Third Win In Three Weeks

Potters Bar will arrive with confidence of their own, sitting fourth and knowing a win would widen the gap over Hoddesdon. Their recent victories over Hitchin, Enfield and Letchworth prove they are one of the division’s most dangerous sides, and they will want revenge for the defeat earlier in the season. That should make for a competitive afternoon between two teams with plenty still to play for. For Hoddesdon, Saturday is a chance to show that the last two weeks were not a flash in the pan. The 3rd XI have battled through a difficult spell, trusted their players, and found form at just the right time. Now they have the chance to beat another side above them and continue turning a once-frustrating season into one with a far more positive finish.

Selected XI: Louis Webb, Nikunj Pradhan, Dharshana Keerthichandra, Mark Feely, Ash Hill, Reece Jones, Tyler Burroughs, Ben Marques, Monty McCullagh, Barnaby Webb, Scott Higgins.

Fixture details: