Sunday XI Friendly Report: Hoddesdon CC v Watton-at-Stone CC

Sunday 11th May 2025 – Lowfield
Result: Watton-at-Stone CC won by 4 wickets
Toss: Hoddesdon CC won and chose to bat

A glorious spring afternoon at Lowfield set the stage for a spirited Sunday friendly between Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Sunday XI and visiting side Watton-at-Stone CC. On a pitch that had already seen action earlier in the season, the hosts won the toss under the captaincy of Andrew Lewis and opted to bat first, aiming to make use of the best of the conditions before the surface inevitably took on more turn in the second innings.

What followed was an entertaining and competitive encounter filled with standout individual performances, a steady stream of wickets, and ultimately a hard-fought 4-wicket victory for the visitors.

First Innings: Hoddesdon CC – 178 all out (39.2 overs)
Hoddesdon began their innings with the youthful pairing of Clayton Stone and George Kimberley, a combination that promised both aggression and composure. The early signs were encouraging, but it was Watton-at-Stone who struck first. Kimberley, having settled in with a couple of boundaries, was dismissed for 23 when he was bowled by Callum O’Flynn with the score on 55.

The loss brought Perry Kisby to the crease, and together with Stone, the pair rebuilt with a measured partnership. Stone in particular was clinical, dispatching the bad balls and rotating the strike well. However, with the score on 86, Stone retired – not out – on an excellent 53 off just 28 balls, including six boundaries and four sixes, demonstrating great intent and strokeplay. Stone selflessly made way to ensure other players got time at the crease but in truth, the Australian had already demonstrated his full array of skills with the bat, following up on his maiden 'Hoddy' ton, last Sunday.

Watton then mounted a mid-innings fightback. Roly Heard fell for 7, bowled by Martin Tipper, and then Andrew Lewis, the skipper, was dismissed by Lawrie Western for 8, curbing what could have been a valuable contribution.

Charlie Tackley (5), Austin Bean (6), and Nikunj Pradhan (20 off 25) offered resistance, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Freddie Keenan had an excellent day with the ball, snaring a key wicket, bowling Kisbey – who anchored the innings well for 40 – and ensuring any lower-order resistance was short-lived. Kisby's knock was majestic as he made a career best total for himself, belying the fact that he only picked up a bat for the first time last season. Batting at number 3 seemed to suit him, giving him time to leave the good balls and attack the bad ones, adding key runs to the total. All around the ground applauded as he made his way back to the clubhouse, showing their appreciation for his obvious improvement on the pitch in 12 short months.

In the closing stages, Jack Bailey was run out by Keenan’s sharp work, and the innings ended on 178 with 10 balls remaining. Though Hoddesdon couldn’t quite reach the 200 mark, they posted a competitive score with a good spread of contributions throughout the order.

Top Performers – Hoddesdon Batting:
Clayton Stone – 53* (28 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes)
Perry Kisby – 40 (88 balls)
George Kimberley – 23 (21 balls)

Second Innings: Watton-at-Stone CC – 179/6 (37.2 overs)
In response, Watton-at-Stone began their innings with the momentum of knowing the target was gettable if they could build partnerships and handle the spin-friendly conditions expected later in the day. Opening the innings was Wilf Emsley and Joe Wing, who faced Hoddesdon’s new-ball attack head-on.

The Bean brothers took the new ball, and made the early breakthrough. After just 4.6 overs, Joe Wing was run out following a mix-up, with George Kimberley and Harry Mason combining brilliantly in the field. Hoddesdon then struck again quickly. Wilf Emsley, who had dug in with a 78-ball vigil for 24, was also run out – this time after sharp work again by Kimberley and Lewis. At 2-107, Hoddesdon had the upper hand, but James Fox had other plans.

Coming in at number three, Fox crafted a brilliant 63 off 70 balls, hitting twelve boundaries and giving the innings much-needed stability and fluency. He was supported well by Martin Tipper (28 off 46), who rotated the strike and punished loose deliveries.

Lewis, Mason and Stone brought some hope with wickets in the middle overs – but a steady stream of runs from Fox and others kept Watton in the game. The game turned in the visitors' favour when Tipper fell to Lewis, David Bloomfield was dismissed by Harry Mason and Tom Branigan was bowled off the bowling of Clayton Stone. However, with just 18 needed, Ryan Ansell and Callum O’Flynn held their nerve, calmly guiding the visitors home with a solid, composed partnership.

The winning runs came in the 38th over, capping off a well-paced chase and a game played in the true spirit of Sunday cricket.

Top Performers – Watton Batting:
James Fox – 63 (70 balls, 12 fours)
Martin Tipper – 28 (46 balls)
Ryan Ansell – 12* (9 balls)
Callum O’Flynn – 6* (6 balls)

Hoddesdon Bowling Highlights:
Charlie Tackley – 6 overs, 0 maidens, 26 runs, 1 wicket
Andrew Lewis – 4.2 overs, 0 maidens, 26 runs, 1 wicket
Clayton Stone - 2, 0, 8, 1
Harry Mason - 8, 1, 27, 1

Fielding & Extras
Both teams showed flashes of quality in the field, particularly with Hoddesdon’s duo of run outs keeping them competitive early in the opponents innings. Watton's fielding was also sharp, with catches taken at crucial moments and tight bowling from the likes of Martin Tipper and Lawrie Western helping to build pressure.

Extras were a minor concern for both sides – Hoddesdon conceding a slightly annoying 27 (including 14 wides), while Watton gave away just 11.

Captain’s Reflections
Speaking after the match, Hoddesdon captain Andrew Lewis said:

“It was a good game of cricket – close, competitive, and played in great spirit. We felt batting first was the right call on a used pitch, and the boys applied themselves well, especially Clayton with a fantastic knock at the top. We probably left 20-30 runs out there, which in hindsight might have made a difference. That said, full credit to Watton for the way they batted, particularly Fox – he played a match-winning innings.”

Player of the Match
Perry Kisby (Hoddeson CC)
For his composed and fluent 40 from 88 balls, including 3 boundaries, Kisby earns the player of the match award. His innings was the backbone of the Hoddesdon innings and ensured Watton were made to stay honest in their chase. Time in the nets has clearly helped the barman/batsman and is to be comended for this showing, offering a mature head and excellent shot selection to reach his career best.

Looking Ahead
For Hoddesdon, the performance offered plenty of positives despite the result. Stone’s explosive half-century, Kimberley’s contribution with the gloves, and the bowling efforts from Tackley, Stone, Lewis and Mason were all notable. Special mention must go to Austin Bean who bowled 5 maiden overs in a row and his younger brother Rudy, the youngest player in the team, who set the standard for 40 overs with an outstanding fielding performance. For one so young, senior cricket can seem a daunting place but the brothers performed brilliantly to help their side stay in the game until the death. Seeing young players like this settle into the team and contribute is what it is all about at Lowfield and their showing was a fabulous testament to Hoddesdon's continued investment in junior cricket.

With a long summer ahead, there’s every reason to believe that this Sunday XI will convert these good performances into wins on a regular basis.

The next Sunday fixture will be another opportunity to rotate the squad, give younger players some time in the middle, and continue developing depth across the club, as Cheshunt Rosedale come to town on the 18th of May.

Full Scorecard Highlights:

Hoddesdon CC: 178 all out (39.2 overs)
Watton-at-Stone CC: 179/6 (37.2 overs)
Watton won by 4 wickets

Click here for the full scorecard.

Thanks to scorer Liz Woods for her immaculate work throughout the match.

Stay tuned to the website and social channels for details on next week’s fixtures and events across all Hoddesdon CC teams.

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