CRUSHING WIN FOR HODDESDON! SEASON STARTS IN STYLE WITH 179-RUN THRASHING OF THORLEY

Thorley CC 2nd XI (37 all out, 32.2 overs) lost to Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI (216/9, 40 overs) by 179 runs
Venue: Thorley | Herts & Essex Border League – Division 3 | Saturday 3rd May 2025

It was a day to remember for Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 3rd XI as they launched their 2025 Herts and Essex Border League campaign with a spectacular 179-run demolition job over Thorley 2nd XI — a ruthless display of all-round dominance that sees them climb straight into second place in the table behind only Harlow after the opening weekend.

The win came despite the absence of regular skipper Ross Maughn, who was ruled out due to a bizarre toe injury just 48 hours before the first ball of the season. With Maughn sidelined, the captaincy passed to Louis Webb, and the young all-rounder seized his opportunity with a confident display of leadership, control, and guile, steering Hoddesdon to a maximum-points victory worth 20 points on day one.

BRIGHT START FOR HODDESDON — AFTER LOSING THE TOSS!
Thorley, perhaps trying to take advantage of any early-season moisture in the pitch, won the toss and decided to bowl first. But that decision backfired almost immediately as Hoddesdon’s top order laid the foundation for a commanding first-innings total.

Opening pair Paul Webb and Freddie Hawkins got things moving for the visitors with a solid 58-run stand. Webb was the more aggressive of the two, crafting a patient yet effective 42 off 55 balls, including five boundaries before falling to a ball by Syful Islam. Hawkins, meanwhile, played a composed knock of 30 from 38 balls, rotating the strike and allowing the innings to build. Both openers departed, but their platform was crucial — and paved the way for the middle order to accelerate.

HAWKINS AND WEBB FAMILY DELIVER THE GOODS
Following the dismissals of the openers, it was Dad, Daniel Hawkins, who stole the spotlight with a fluent 35 from just 30 balls — an innings featuring four crisp boundaries and a strike rate north of 110. He took the attack to Thorley’s bowlers, dispatching anything short or wide, and looked in full control before falling in the 25th over.

Tyrone Mazarura and Ash Hill had hearts in mouths as they were both despatched early, but Hoddesdon’s innings was given further impetus by George Kimberley (4), Louis Webb (47 not out), and Freddie Webb (25), who all chipped in with valuable runs through the middle overs.

Stand-in skipper Webb led from the front with a gritty unbeaten 47, coming off 70 deliveries. His knock was all about intelligence and composure — rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries, and ensuring the innings didn’t stall. He guided the tail expertly, batting right through to the 40th over and ensuring Hoddesdon posted a daunting 216/9 — a very healthy total given the conditions and early-season form. Freddie Webb, it must be said, added a very useful 25 off 39 balls to that total, batting intelligently beyond his years.

THORLEY’S BOWLERS TOIL IN THE SUN
For Thorley, it was a long and frustrating stint in the field. Despite a few moments of individual brilliance, including tight spells from Michael Dellow (1-34 off 5) and David Wheatley (1-18 off 4), the bowling unit struggled to contain Hoddesdon’s fluent strokeplay or build enough sustained pressure to force a collapse. Syful Islam was the pick of the home attack, as he bowled a full quota of 8 overs, picking up 6 wickets but conceding 34 runs in the process. He was Thorley's most successful bowler on the day but lacked the support from the other end to truly tighten the screws.

Extras also plagued the Thorley attack, with 31 additional runs gifted to Hoddesdon, including 12 byes and 15 wides — a clear area for improvement as the season progresses.

CATASTROPHE WITH THE BAT — THORLEY BLOWN AWAY
After the interval, Hoddesdon took the field with hunger in their eyes — and what followed was a bowling display of devastating precision and aggression. Thorley’s reply was nothing short of a batting apocalypse.

They were skittled for a dismal 37 all out in 32.2 overs, failing to ever get out of first gear as Hoddesdon’s bowlers tore through the lineup like a buzzsaw through kindling.

Opener Syful Islam, so influential with the ball, fell for a golden duck — one of gour batters dismissed for nought in a truly calamitous innings. Not a single player reached double figures, with Michael Dellow’s 8 the top score in a card that read more like a horror novel than a cricket scorebook.

CHARLIE TACKLEY UNLEASHES HELL
The standout performer — by some distance — was Charlie Tackley, who delivered one of the most brutal and efficient spells of bowling you’re ever likely to see at this level. Tackley took 6 wickets for just 8 runs from 7 unrelenting overs, including 2 maidens. He opened the bowling and never looked back, nipping the ball around with menace and extracting every ounce of life from the surface.

His spell saw him rip out the entire top and middle order: Islam, Chris Reed, Charlie-Ray Kitteridge, Josh Tingley, Burford and David Wheatley all fell victim to the seamer, who ended the day with the match ball securely in hand.

SUPPORT CAST STANDS TALL
Tackley’s brilliance set the tone, but the rest of the Hoddesdon bowling attack offered no respite. Paul Webb (2-4 off 1.3), Ashley Hill (1-10 off 5), and Louis Webb (1-1 off 3) all got in on the act, maintaining tight lines and applying relentless pressure. Scott Higgins and Austin bean, although wicketless, bowled neatly and tidily to hold up an end each, contributing to the success.

Thorley simply had no answers. Balls that should have been defended were missed. The scoreboard crept forward slowly — at just 1.14 runs per over — before the innings came to a merciful close with just 37 runs on the board. 15 of those runs were indeed extras, and perhaps with a little tighter lines, the hosts would have been restricted to even less. That said, it is very hard to criticise the Hoddesdon bowling and fielding on a day like that!!

STRONG START — AND A WARNING TO THE LEAGUE
The result was not only a massive statement of intent from Hoddesdon, but also a powerful indicator of the squad's depth and leadership. Without their regular captain, and on the road, they delivered a complete performance: a solid batting display, a dominant bowling effort, and excellent fielding throughout. The 179-run victory sees them bank a full 20 points, putting them second in the HEBL Division 3 table — behind only Harlow on net run rate. Coincidentally, it’s Harlow who provide the next challenge in what promises to be a fiery encounter next weekend.

If Hoddesdon can carry this form into that clash, they will be more than ready to mount a serious title challenge this season.

POST-MATCH REACTION: “EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED” – LOUIS WEBB
Speaking after the match, interim skipper Louis Webb praised the team's performance and resilience:

"It’s never ideal to lose your captain just before the first game of the season, but everyone pulled together today. The batters set it up brilliantly, and then the bowlers were absolutely ruthless. Charlie was unbelievable. That’s exactly the kind of start we wanted — and now it’s about keeping this momentum going.”

⭐ MAN OF THE MATCH: CHARLIE TACKLEY
Who else? Six wickets, eight runs conceded, and total carnage left in his wake. Tackley’s devastating spell set the tone for a one-sided rout and gave Hoddesdon a dream start to the season. A performance for the scrapbookne that earned him the coveted Green Jacket award back at the Hoddesdon clubhouse, which you can read about HERE.

HODDESDON CC INNINGS SUMMARY
216/9 in 40 overs

Louis Webb 47* (70), Paul Webb 42 (55), Daniel Hawkins 35 (30), Freddie Hawkins 30 (38)

Syful Islam 6-34, David Wheatley 1-18, Michael Dellow 1-34

Extras: 31 (12b, 1lb, 15w, 3nb)

THORLEY CC INNINGS SUMMARY
37 all out in 32.2 overs

Michael Dellow 8, Extras 15

Charlie Tackley 6-8 (7 overs), Paul Webb 2-4 (1.3 overs), Ashley Hill 1-10 (5 overs)

Extras: 15 (3b, 10w, 2nb)

NEXT UP
Hoddesdon face early table-toppers Harlow next Saturday in a mouthwatering clash that could give an early glimpse at the front-runners for the title. One thing’s for sure: Harlow will be looking at this result with interest — and maybe a bit of concern.

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