Hoddesdon CC Sunday Friendly XI v Mill Hill CC
Lowfield, Sunday 22 June 2025
Hoddesdon win by 6 wickets

There are days in club cricket that stick in the memory – not just for what happens between bat and ball, but for the sense of joy, resilience, and enduring camaraderie that Sunday cricket can conjure. Last Sunday at Lowfield was one of those rare, golden afternoons. Under a bright summer sky, Hoddesdon CC’s Sunday Friendly XI – a glorious patchwork of youth, experience, flair, and facial hair – chased down a formidable 222 to seal a six-wicket win against Mill Hill CC’s 1st XI in a classic that had all the hallmarks of village cricket drama.

It was a match filled with standout performances, dogged resistance, and one truly sublime century from a young cricketer starting to make headlines in all the right ways. But amidst the brilliance of Finlay Higgs' match-winning ton, there was also a sense of poetic cricketing justice, as club stalwart Neil Pomeroy rolled back the years with a club career-best 43 to help lay the platform for victory. Life in the old dog yet? You bet.

Toss and Team News
Mill Hill’s skipper called correctly and chose to bat first in perfect conditions. Andrew Lewis captained the Hoddesdon XI, continuing to inspire confidence and chaos in equal measure, while the gloves were entrusted to Jon Dean – a Sunday specialist with safe hands and a cracking post-match playlist.

The Hoddesdon side featured a blend of familiar names and emerging talent. Charlie Tackley returned to the bowling crease, Adrian Lee added experience to the middle overs, and young Finlay Higgs looked to build on an already impressive season. All eyes were on the weather, but the Lowfield microclimate once again did its thing – sunny, still, and perfect for cricket.

Mill Hill Bat First: Naeem Khan Anchors, Higgs Dismantles
Mill Hill’s innings was a blend of steady accumulation and late-order fireworks, built primarily around a high-quality knock from Naeem Khan, who compiled an authoritative 78 off 70 balls. While wickets fell around him, Khan kept his composure, striking nine boundaries and four maximums to drive his team through the middle overs. The innings started poorly for the visitors. Mohammad Wahab was dismissed for a duck off just the second ball of the match, holing out to Fin Higgs off Charlie Tackley. Shahid Iqbal followed soon after, again caught by the young Higgs and bowled by Jack Bailey, and when Hamza Zaib departed for 27 – caught by Clay Stone off Tackley – Mill Hill were wobbling at 85 for 3.

But Khan held firm. He was especially strong square of the wicket and punished anything short, making Hoddesdon’s bowlers work hard for every dot. He found intermittent support from Khalid Ibrahim (14) and a useful 42 from number ten Mohammad Salman, who flayed six boundaries in a 34-minute cameo that gave the visitors much-needed momentum at the death. He did edge a firm one down leg side where wicket keeper Jon Dean clung on (for once) but the visiting umpire, much to the distain and disgust of Dean, remained unmoved. It was a moment that would define the game and Hoddesdon, somewhat riled, rallied.

From 152 for 4, Mill Hill stumbled to 222 all out, losing six wickets for 70 runs. The pick of the bowlers for Hoddesdon was Finlay Higgs, who despite the sun beating down, returned figures of 8-1-37-3 in a spell full of energy, movement, and guile. He removed five key batters in one way or another, including Iqbal, Rafiq, Azeem and Zaid – swinging the match firmly back in Hoddesdon’s favour.

Adrian Lee was also outstanding, taking 3 for 36 from 8 testing overs, while Charlie Tackley claimed two wickets to begin the early collapse. Harry Mason and Andrew Lewis bowled tidy spells in support, with Mason also grabbing a wicket – that of Salman – at a critical moment with Clay grasping the catch.

Mill Hill’s total of 222 felt competitive butattainable on a decent Lowfield track with a lightning-fast outfield. Tea was taken with Hoddesdon quietly confident and the crowd, swelling in number as usual on Sundays, eager to see what would unfold.

Hoddesdon’s Response: Higgs the Hero, Pomeroy the Poet
Hoddesdon’s reply began with a buzz of anticipation – and it wasn’t long before the home fans had reason to believe. Opening the innings, Neil 'Pommers' Pomeroy – a man whose career has included more pub stops than net sessions – strode out with renewed purpose and delivered a knock that will long be remembered by those privileged to witness it.

Pomeroy was measured, defiant, and at times almost graceful in his club career-best 43 off 91 balls. While Higgs played the role of aggressor, Pomeroy dropped anchor, refusing to give his wicket away and taking full toll of anything overpitched. His knock included four boundaries and countless pats back to the bowler – a Sunday masterclass in stubbornness. It was vintage Pomeroy, and his dismissal – run out for 43 in the 33rd over – was met with warm applause from both teams and a standing ovation from the heaving picnic benches.

But the undoubted star of the show was Finlay Higgs. His innings was breathtaking in its control, timing, and shot selection. From the moment he cracked his first boundary, it was clear he was in the mood. Higgs reached his hundred in just 115 balls and ultimately fell for 132 off 129 deliveries – a towering contribution that included 15 boundaries and two sixes. He was eventually bowled by Mohammad Wahab, having taken the chase from hopeful to inevitable.

Higgs played the spinners late, danced down the wicket with ease, and seemed to pick gaps with radar-like precision. It was an innings of maturity and class, and a major statement from a young player now making headlines across the club. His knock is now among the highest recorded in Sunday friendlies at Lowfield – and surely one of the most stylish.

Supporting Higgs and Pomeroy were a few helpful cameos: Rob Jones thumped a brisk 11 off 7 balls, including a maximum; Andrew Lewis made a short but brutal 17* off just 8 balls; and Harry Mason saw the team home with a composed 0* from no balls faced, after George Elsom fell late in the innings, run out for 2.

The winning runs came in the 40th over – Lewis carving one through the field to seal a famous six-wicket win. Hoddesdon had chased down 223 in 39.5 overs – a thoroughly well-constructed chase.

Reflections and Reactions
After the game, captain Andrew Lewis was full of praise for his side:

“What a performance – absolutely buzzing for Fin and Poms. Fin’s knock was pure class, and for Poms to get a career-best… well, I don’t think even he saw that coming! Everyone contributed today. Bowling was sharp, the energy was there, and we believed we could chase anything. Sundays at Lowfield don’t get much better than this.”

Wicketkeeper Jon Dean – who claimed a ghost catch and was still fuming some 7 hours after the game finished – added:

“I'd like to say that was the most fun I’ve had with the gloves all season, but that would be a lie. However, a win is a win. Yes, the ball didn't stick much and the Ultra's on the sidelines made up some songs about grease on my gloves, but the team were brilliant today. Some of the lads bowled brilliantly and we held our catches, as did I when presented with a chance at the end there off of the skippers bowling. Let's move on though, it's not all about me. Honestly, when Fin’s batting like that, it’s just a matter of time. And I am delighted for Pommers today too”

For Mill Hill, the result will sting slightly, particularly after setting what they might have thought was a winning total. Naeem Khan’s 78 was a class innings, and Mohammad Salman's second life gave the tail some teeth. But their bowling was unable to contain Higgs, and Pomeroy’s resistance gave the hosts the foundation they needed.

The Numbers Game
223: Hoddesdon’s winning total – chased down with 1 ball to spare.
132: Finlay Higgs’ score – a magnificent innings full of elegance and intent.
43: Neil Martin Pomeroy’s club career-best – a triumph of patience and grit.
3 for 37: Higgs’ bowling figures – a true all-round performance.
3 for 36: Adrian Lee’s return – smart, probing, and decisive in the middle overs.
17 off 8: Andrew Lewis’ late cameo – injecting the final burst of momentum.
6 wickets: Margin of victory for Hoddesdon.
1: Angry Wicket Keeper. JD is fuming.

The Verdict
This was the kind of fixture that reminds everyone why Sunday cricket matters. It’s not just about the result – although that was sweet – but the manner in which it was achieved. Hoddesdon’s mix of youth and experience gelled beautifully. There was laughter, there was pressure, and there was pride.

In Finlay Higgs, the club has a genuine star. His 132 was one of the finest innings Lowfield has seen in years. But this wasn’t a solo act – it was a symphony of small contributions. Pomeroy’s defiance. Lee’s leadership. Tackley’s early breakthroughs. Dean’s tantrum. Jones' fireworks. The crowd’s cheers. All of it came together on a golden June afternoon.

If this is what Sundays are going to be like for the rest of the summer, bring them on.

Final Score
Mill Hill CC 1st XI – 222 all out (35.4 overs)
Naeem Khan 78, Mohammad Salman 42; Finlay Higgs 3-37, Adrian Lee 3-36
Hoddesdon CC Sunday XI – 223/4 (39.5 overs)
Finlay Higgs 132, Neil Pomeroy 43; Mohammad Wahab 1-40, Naeem Khan 1-53

Result: Hoddesdon CC won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Finlay Higgs – 132 (129 balls) & 3-37

#GreenMachine