Hoddesdon CC Sunday XI vs Cockfosters CC – Sunday Friendly at Lowfield

Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Venue: Lowfield, Hoddesdon
Result: Hoddesdon CC won by 4 wickets
Scorer: Liz Woods

Despite the early signs of spring and the sun breaking through on occasion, the weather at Lowfield on Sunday afternoon was bitingly cold, more evocative of mid-March than early May. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was warm and lively as Hoddesdon CC Sunday XI welcomed Cockfosters Cricket Club for a highly anticipated friendly fixture.

In the absence of regular skipper Andrew Lewis, leadership duties for Hoddesdon were handed to the ever-reliable Harry Mason. Opposing him was Chris Holmes, donning the captain’s armband for Cockfosters and hoping to guide his side to a strong away showing. Upon winning the toss, Holmes had no hesitation in electing to bat first on a flat yet firm Lowfield track that offered something for both bat and ball.

Cockfosters’ Innings: A Confident Start
Cockfosters opened their innings with Adam Pigden and Will Edwards. The pair got things underway positively, rotating the strike and punishing the odd loose delivery. Pigden looked comfortable early on, clipping off his pads and driving nicely through the off-side, but his stay at the crease was brought to a close by a Charlie Tackley catch, Clayton Stone found the breakthrough in the 8th over. Pigden departed for 27 off 32 balls. Hoddesdon had been guilty of a few dropped catches in the early stages so were glad to see Tackley hang on this time.

Will Edwards then began to anchor the innings with a composed and patient knock. Although the cold made conditions challenging for concentration, he played with a calm head, picking his moments to go on the offensive. Rohit Patel joined him at the crease and wasted little time making his presence felt. Patel batted fluently, striking five boundaries and a maximum during a brisk 45 off 40 balls, adding real impetus to the innings.

The Hoddesdon bowlers, meanwhile, stuck to their tasks admirably, rotating their options throughout and maintaining discipline in the field. Clayton Stone was impressive, finishing with 1 for 22 from 5 economical overs, while Nikunj Pradhan and Louis Webb offered tidy support.

Harry Mason produced a key moment, dismissing Patel. Freddie Hawkins also chipped in with a 3 over spell, but it was Rob Walters who got the big wicket, removing the dangerous Edwards for 93 after an excellent 122-minute stay at the crease, in which he struck ten boundaries and held the innings together.

Despite losing three wickets, Cockfosters managed to post a competitive total of 254 for 3 from their allotted 40 overs. Sam Barker’s 76 from 57 balls nudged the score up further but the likes of Pradhan, Hawkins, Hawkins and Webb helped keep the score in check during the final phase of the innings.

Hoddesdon’s Response: Stone and Mason Lead the Charge
Chasing 255 for victory, Hoddesdon needed a strong platform to counter both the target and the biting wind swirling across Lowfield. Openers Rob Walters and Clayton Stone provided just that. Walters played fluently from the outset, using his feet to drive and cut with authority. His innings of 44 off 38 balls was filled with intent and purpose before he was dismissed by a sharp piece of bowling from Bhargav Limbachiya, who claimed the first of his three wickets.

While Walters laid the groundwork, it was Clayton Stone who took centre stage with a commanding innings. Stone showed excellent shot selection, mixing power with finesse. He drove through the covers with aplomb and used the sweep and lofted drive to great effect, bringing up his century with a flurry of boundaries. It was his first ton in Hoddesdon colours and all around the ground stood to applaud the effort for his new club. You can watch the moment he reached the milestone by clicking HERE. He eventually fell for a magnificent 113 off just 75 balls, having batted for 107 minutes, hitting 14 fours and a six along the way. His dismissal, bowled by Prakash Bhagwati, came as a relief to Cockfosters, but the damage was already done.

Freddie Hawkins, promoted to No. 3, fell cheaply to Limbachiya, and George Kimberley added a swift 21 before also falling to the same bowler, but Hoddesdon remained in control of the run chase. When Stone departed at 211 for 4 in the 29th over, Hoddesdon still required 44 runs from 11 overs with six wickets in hand.

Daniel Hawkins and Nikunj Pradhan both fell quickly, giving Cockfosters a glimmer of hope as Sam Barker epouched two wickets. But Freddie Webb joined his captain Harry Mason at the crease to calm any nerves. The pair batted sensibly, keeping the scoreboard ticking and not taking undue risks.

Mason’s innings was a perfect example of leading from the front. His unbeaten 53 off 65 deliveries came at a crucial time, combining patience with the ability to find gaps and rotate strike. You can watch the moment Harry Mason notched his half century by clicking HERE.

Webb, too, showed good composure, finishing 5 not out and ensuring the chase was completed with 10 balls to spare.

Hoddesdon closed on 256 for 6 in 38.2 overs, sealing a deserved 4-wicket win.

Bowling Highlights and Fielding Performances
For Cockfosters, Limbachiya was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 41 from his 7 overs. His clever variations and consistent line caused trouble for multiple batters. Sam Barker, who had earlier made an unbeaten 76 with the bat, contributed with two key wickets, removing Daniel Hawkins and Pradhan in quick succession to temporarily stall the run chase.

Chris Holmes and Gary Corken bowled with effort and heart, though they found the going tough against Stone and Mason. Holmes was unfortunate not to claim a wicket despite bowling a tidy 8-over spell, conceding just 41 runs.

In the field, Kieran Wetherill stood out with two smart stumpings, showing sharp glovework and excellent footwork behind the stumps.

Cockfosters’ Strong Batting Effort
Despite the result, Cockfosters can take plenty of positives from the match. Their batting unit was solid and well-organised, led by the imperious Will Edwards, whose 93 under pressure stood as a model of composure. Patel and Pigden added useful support, while Barker’s unbeaten 76 off 57 balls added a late flourish that pushed their total close to 255.

Sam Barker’s knock, in particular, stood out for its timing and aggression. Arriving at the crease with the innings in a delicate phase, he counter-attacked in style, smashing seven boundaries and two sixes. His clean striking and confidence in lofted shots demonstrated great promise for the season ahead.

Captain’s Knock and Cool Head Finish for Hoddesdon
Harry Mason’s innings will be remembered not only for the runs he scored, but for the maturity with which he guided the chase under pressure. In the absence of regular skipper Andrew Lewis, Mason rose to the challenge, captaining the side with calm authority and finishing unbeaten to steer his team home.

His decision-making was spot-on throughout—when to rotate bowlers, how to set fields, and when to apply pressure. With several younger players involved and in freezing conditions, he held the team together and led by example.

Clayton Stone’s explosive hundred, meanwhile, earned him deserved accolades. Aggressive yet calculated, it was a knock that showcased the full range of his strokeplay and batted Hoddesdon into a winning position. Useful time at the crease for the Aussie to take into his first team league fixtures.

Final Thoughts
In the end, it was a well-earned victory for Hoddesdon CC Sunday XI in a game that ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon. The chilly temperatures didn’t dampen the enthusiasm on either side, and both teams contributed to a well-contested and spirited friendly fixture.

For Hoddesdon, the combination of a solid batting display, crucial breakthroughs at key times, and good leadership ensured they came out on top. For Cockfosters, though the result didn’t go their way, their batting effort and periods of control in the field offered real promise as the season unfolds.

With more fixtures on the horizon and plenty of individual performances to build upon, both sides will take valuable momentum and confidence from this entertaining match at Lowfield.

Man of the Match: Clayton Stone – 113 runs and 1 wicket
Honourable Mentions: Will Edwards (93), Sam Barker (76* and 2 wickets), Bhargav Limbachiya (3 wickets), Harry Mason (53* and captaincy)

The next fixture for the Sunday side is at home to Watton At Stone on Sunday the 11th of May.

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