Pacific Edge Out Hoddesdon in Sunny Season Opener at Lowfield

Click HERE for the full scorecard and stats.

Under brilliant blue skies and with a palpable buzz in the air, Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s picturesque Lowfield ground threw open its gates once again for the 2025 season. The occasion? A friendly but fiercely contested curtain-raiser between the Hoddesdon Sunday Friendly XI and the visiting Pacific Cricket Club.

On a day made for cricket — warm sunshine, a light breeze, and the smell of fresh cut grass — the home fans turned out in numbers, filling the benches and boundary edges with smiles, chatter, and plenty of liquid refreshement. It was a quintessential English Sunday, with one notable addition: cricket was back at Lowfield.

Andrew Lewis led out the Hoddesdon side, a youthful yet determined-looking XI, ready to test their skills after a long winter away from competitive action. With the toss won by Pacific CC, they wasted no time in electing to bat first, keen to make the most of a good-looking wicket and the inviting conditions. Credit must go to head groundsman Adrian Lee who has Lowfield looking absolutely pristine for launch of the 2025 campaign.

Pacific’s Patchy Start, Steady Middle, and Late Collapse
Pacific’s innings began in lively but slightly shaky fashion. Saad Rasheed and M. Siddiqui opened proceedings, with Ashley Hill and Charlie Tackley sharing the new ball for Hoddesdon. Hill, full of energy from the get-go, made the first breakthrough with the score on 25, removing Siddiqui for just 4 runs, a smart LBW dismissal doing the business.

Tackley was soon into the action too, dismissing Rasheed in the very next over for 15 after a neat catch from Andrew Lewis. With both openers gone early, Pacific found themselves a little rocked at 25-2.

However, Mohan Kumar Raja and A Dhir set about stabilising things. Raja played some authoritative strokes, including six 4's and a cracking 6, racing to a brisk 34 from just 18 balls before Dhir fell, Tackley grabbing his second wicket. Raja fell soon after, Louis Webb trapped him LBW — a vital breakthrough that kept Hoddesdon firmly in the contest and at 75-4, Pacific were wobbling again. But a classy innings from Captain Rizwan Siddiqui, batting with fluency and composure, swung the momentum back in the visitors' favour. He compiled 45 runs from 68 balls, anchoring the innings beautifully while others fell around him.

B Zehri (32 from 52 balls) offered valuable support in the middle overs before falling to a sharply taken catch by Ash Hill off the bowling of young Freddiw Webb.

By now, Hoddesdon were scenting blood.

The lower order offered little resistance, despite a sprightly 7 from S Khan and a quick 5 from A Ahmed. Andrew Lewis chipped in with two key wickets, including cleaning up Ahmed and Ahmed H Hussain, to wrap up the innings in the 39th over. Pacific finished on 175 all out — a respectable total, but one that certainly gave Hoddesdon hope.

The pick of Hoddesdon's bowlers were Hill (1-24), Tackley (2-25), and Captain Andrew Lewis (3-27), with solid contributions across the board. Brothers Louis Webb and Freddie Webb each chipped in with two wickets apiece to round off a promising bowling display. Just the eleven extra's also showed the home sides discipline and accuracy with the ball.

Tea, Sun and the Return of Cricket
As players and spectators paused for the interval, Lowfield was alive with friendly chatter and optimism. Youngsters played impromptu games of cricket on the outfield edges, while club members and supporters caught up after the long off-season. It wasn’t just a return of cricket — it felt like a return of community.

With sun hats on and icey cold drinks in hand, the crowd settled in for the second innings, hoping for a positive chase from the Hoddesdon lads.

Hoddesdon’s Chase Fizzles After Bright Start
Hoddesdon’s reply began briskly, with gloveman Clayton Stone and Asif Mohammed striding out purposefully to open the batting. Stone looked to be in good touch, playing several nice strokes on his way to 26 from 24 balls, including six boundaries. Asif Mohammed struck a couple of confident boundaries too, but his promising knock was cut short for 8 after being caught by M Siddiqui.

Stone followed shortly after, dismissed by Zehri, and suddenly the hosts were two down inside the first eight overs.

Adrian Lee came in at number three and tried to steady the ship. His 24 from 50 balls showed resilience and patience, but as the required run-rate crept upwards, pressure began to mount. When he was bowled by Ahmed for 24, Hoddesdon found themselves in a spot of bother.

The middle order struggled to find momentum. Phil Stafford (39) batted gamely but succumbed to a catch off the bowling of Ahmed H Hussain, while Andrew Lewis and Ashley Hill both fell cheaply, unable to kickstart the innings. Ollie Maughn couldn't contribute with the bat either and Pacific had pouched three wickets in just 7 balls, leaving the hosts struggling on 113 for 7.

By now, Pacific’s bowlers — led brilliantly by Ahmed H Hussain (4-15) — had their tails up. They bowled with tight lines and clever changes of pace, never allowing Hoddesdon to settle. The lower order offered little resistance as wickets tumbled regularly. Family Webb couldn't stem the tide with Dad Paul (0) and son's Louie (1) and Freddie (1) all fell inside 11 balls. Charlie Tackley remained unbeaten at the end, but with only 0 not out to his name, there was little he could do.

Hoddesdon were bowled out for 116 in just 28.6 overs — 59 runs shy of Pacific’s total. It was a slightly disappointing end to what had begun as a promising chase.

A Friendly Played in Great Spirit
Despite the defeat, there was plenty of positivity to take from the Sunday side's first outing of the season. New combinations were tested, players dusted off winter cobwebs, and valuable match fitness was gained. Andrew Lewis captained the side with great energy and made strong bowling changes throughout the Pacific innings.

With the bat, Clayton Stone, Adrian Lee, and Phil Stafford all spent useful time at the crease, something that will only serve Hoddesdon well in the coming weeks.

Pacific, meanwhile, showed their experience and discipline to ultimately run out worthy winners. Their bowlers in particular were impressive, with Ahmed H Hussain’s four-wicket haul stealing the headlines.

Crowd's Verdict: Cricket is Well and Truly Back
Perhaps the biggest winner on the day, though, was Lowfield itself. The ground looked in immaculate condition, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the sense of community was unmistakable. For many in attendance, Sunday was about far more than just the result. It was about catching up with old friends, enjoying the sunshine, and feeling part of something special again.

As one spectator put it as he nursed a post-match pint: "You can't beat cricket at Lowfield on a sunny day."

On this evidence, he’s absolutely right.

Key Performances

Pacific CC:
Rizwan Siddiqui 45*
Mohan Kumar Raja 34
Ahmed H Hussain 4-15

Hoddesdon CC:
Clayton Stone 26
Adrian Lee 24
Andrew Lewis 3-27
Ashley Hill 2-24
Charlie Tackley 2-25
Freddie Webb 2-26

Final Result:
Pacific CC won by 59 runs.

Click HERE for the full scorecard and stats.