MATCH PREVIEW: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Abridge CC 2nd XI – Saturday 2nd August, 1:00 PM at Thundridge CC

Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s HEBL 3rd XI return to action this Saturday in the Herts & Essex Border League Division 3 as they host Abridge CC 2nd XI at Thundridge Cricket Club. With the match set to begin at 1:00 PM, skipper Ross Maughan’s side will be looking to bounce back from a tough outing last weekend against Broxbourne and climb the table with a much-needed victory.

While Hoddesdon currently sit 8th in the Division 3 table with 117 points, Abridge come into the fixture perched in 6th place on 160 points and with their eyes on a late-season push toward the promotion places. The hosts will be wary of the threat their opponents pose, but encouraged by the return to home turf and a chance to put recent frustrations behind them.

Back on Home Soil
Saturday’s clash will be held at the ever-reliable Thundridge Cricket Club, a venue that has proven to be a safe haven for the Hoddesdon third string. After being comprehensively beaten away at Broxbourne School last weekend — a fixture that saw Hoddesdon dismissed for a low score and defeated by nine wickets — the team will welcome familiar conditions and local support.

The Thundridge pitch has typically offered assistance to bowlers early on before flattening out later in the innings, so the toss could once again play a key role in shaping the course of the game. Interestingly, Broxbourne won the toss last week and made the wise decision to bowl first — something Abridge may be tempted to emulate.

Captain's Rallying Call
Ross Maughan, who continues to lead the side with passion and dedication, has called on his players to respond with character and unity. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown, Maughan said:

“We were well below our best last time out — no hiding from that — but this group has bounced back before, and I’ve every confidence we’ll do it again. The lads know what’s at stake and we’re up for the challenge.”

Maughan himself has led from the front throughout the season, combining his on-field contributions with consistent leadership. His ability to rally his troops after adversity will be vital as the Green Machine look to finish the campaign strongly.

The Opposition
Abridge CC’s 2nd XI have enjoyed a solid season to date and currently sit six places above Hoddesdon in the Division 3 standings. With 160 points from their campaign so far, they remain within touching distance of the top four and will see this fixture as a key opportunity to gain further ground.

Abridge have combined dependable top-order batting with a competitive bowling attack, and their place in the upper half of the table reflects their consistency. They most recently edged out Stansted Hall and Elsenham in a hard-fought encounter, showing the kind of resilience that Hoddesdon will need to counter on Saturday.

However, Abridge have shown some vulnerability on the road, and Thundridge could pose a fresh challenge for the visitors. If Hoddesdon can settle into their rhythm and make early inroads with the ball, they will feel confident in restricting their opponents to a manageable total.

Players to Watch
If Peter Draisey once again dons the gloves behind the stumps, he brings both experience and energy to the Hoddesdon side. His work behind the timbers has been reliable when called upon this season, and he will play a key role in marshalling the bowlers on a pitch that can offer sharp movement early on.

With the bat, Hoddesdon will need key contributions across the order. A collective effort rather than individual brilliance may be required, particularly if early wickets tumble. Partnerships will be the order of the day — something the team has identified as a growth area in recent weeks. Players like Maughan, Webb, Webb, Jones and Burroughs have all made significant contributions this year, and the skipper will be relying on those names to set the tone.

The bowling unit will also be keen to make amends for last week’s showing. A disciplined display with the new ball, backed up by sharp fielding and controlled support from the change bowlers, could set up a more complete team performance. Austin Bean in particular offers great hope with ball in hand and can be relied upon to nick wickets at crucial times.

Hoddesdon’s hopes this weekend may well rest on the shoulders of their in-form contributors. Paul Webb continues to shine as a genuine all-round asset, leading the run charts with 286 and also topping the bowling with 11 wickets. Kyle Hay has the highest individual score of the season with an unbeaten 79*, while Ross Angelini brings fireworks to the crease with a strike rate of 135.71. With the ball, Charlie Tackley remains the owner of the best team figures for the season. His record 6 for 8 and tight economy rate of just 1.14 make him the teams most dangerous bowler this camapign, but there is doubt that he will feature this weekend, likely playing for the 2nd XI.

Last Time Out
Back on the 31st of May, a sunny day at the John Lockwood Ground saw Hoddesdon’s 3rd XI suffer a frustrating six-wicket defeat at the hands of a well-drilled Abridge side.

Despite winning the toss and posting a competitive score, the Green Machine couldn’t defend their total as the hosts chased down the target with plenty of overs to spare.

There were positives to take — not least the appearances of regular young starlets and returning veterans — but ultimately, the day belonged to Abridge as they clinched 20 points and closed the gap to Hoddesdon in the league standings to just 3 points.

Skipper Ross Maughn claimed victory at the toss and opted to bat first on what looked like a good surface — true bounce and a rapid outfield suggested runs would be on offer for those who applied themselves. Leading from the front, Maughn opened alongside Paul Webb, looking to lay a solid foundation. But things didn’t go to plan. Maughn was the first to go, bowled for 2 after just 12 balls faced, and Webb followed soon after, holing out to Langford off the bowling of Chapman for a patient 13 off 43 balls.

At 24-2, it was early trouble for Hoddesdon.

The innings needed a rebuild — and Louis Webb (24 off 30 balls) provided some much-needed impetus. Mixing solid defence with clean hitting, Webb began to find the gaps, but Abridge’s bowlers kept a tight leash, ensuring no partnerships flourished. Tyler Burroughs, usually a dasher, played an uncharacteristic role, unleashing a rapid 33 off just 12 balls — a whirlwind knock that included six boundaries and a strike rate of 275.00. His counterattack briefly shifted the momentum back to Hoddy before he fell to the bowling of Arora.

Ashley Hill, fresh from his five-wicket heroics the previous week, strode to the crease and played a calm, composed knock of 50. Hill’s innings was the bedrock Hoddesdon desperately needed, reaching his half-century in assured fashion. He rotated strike intelligently, played within his strengths, and kept the scoreboard ticking. Last week's Green Jacket winning all rounder is having the season of his life right now, contributing to his side's batting and bowling with some magical numbers. Whenever he asked to perform, he is doing with aplomb, and dare we say it, some swashbuckling guile and vigour.

The only shame about his knock, was Hoddesdon's inability to provide him with lasting partners. Clarke, Atkinson and Jones all came and went, starting at 144/4 and ending with 149/7, losing three wickets in quick succession for just 5 runs. Lower down, older statesman Peter Draisey, later donning the gloves for the first time this season, contributed a gritty 6, and it was a welcome sight to see the return of Neil Conner — bringing his cool, calm, and collected energy to the side, chipping in with an unbeaten 5 as the innings closed.

Hoddesdon’s 40 overs concluded at 168/9 — a total that felt 20-30 runs light but defendable with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.

If Hoddesdon hoped for lots early wickets to defend their modest total, those hopes were quickly dented. Abridge opener Cyrus Langford came out with aggressive intent, striking 42 off just 7 balls with one towering six and seven boundaries, putting immediate pressure on the Hoddesdon bowlers. Hoddesdon’s attack — led by Paul Webb (2-20 off 8 overs) — fought back gamely, removing Kevin Johnson for a duck and Arun Arora for 20. At 68/2 there was still hope. Langford fell next, caught off the bowling of Burroughs at 93/3, 76 runs still required from the home side.

Webb’s probing line and length continued to cause problems, and when he picked up Matthew Slade for 8, Hoddesdon dared to dream with the home side looking nervy. But a quick-fire 25 not out from Nick Elliott, alongside Rakesh Rachala (19 not out), saw Abridge cruise home in just 26.1 overs, reaching 170/4 to claim a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Both Paul and Louis Webb showed their value once more. Paul’s tight bowling spell was one of the few things that slowed Abridge’s chase, while Louis continues to contribute vital middle-order runs as well as the ability to nick wickets. Burroughs’ 33 off 12 showed how destructive he can be. Having Peter Draisey and Neil Conner back in the fold brought experience and maturity to a side full of emerging talent.

What’s at Stake?
As the league table shows, Hoddesdon find themselves in a mid-table scrap, currently 8th with 117 points. Just 16 points separate them from 9th-placed Harlow Town, and with a handful of fixtures remaining, every match now carries added significance.

While promotion is likely out of reach at this stage, the team still has plenty to play for. A strong finish to the campaign could propel them into the top half of the table and lay the foundation for a more competitive 2026 season. On the flip side, a string of defeats could drag them into a late relegation battle.

For Abridge, the story is more optimistic. A win at Thundridge would see them potentially leapfrogging Little Munden and even putting pressure on third-placed Stansted Hall & Elsenham. They will arrive with ambitions of closing the gap on the leaders — but must first overcome a Hoddesdon side eager to right a few wrongs.

Match Details

• Fixture: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Abridge CC 2nd XI
• Date: Saturday, 2nd August 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM start
• Venue: Thundridge Cricket Club, Ermine Street, Thundridge, Hertfordshire, SG12 0SS
• Competition: Herts & Essex Border League – Division 3

Final Word
After a bruising defeat last weekend, Saturday’s fixture offers Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI a chance to regroup, respond, and reignite their season. With captain Ross Maughan at the helm, the players will look to put in a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and remind Division 3 that the Green Machine are not done yet.

Abridge will pose a serious test, but on their day, Hoddesdon have shown they can match anyone in this division. With pride, points, and momentum all on the line, this promises to be a compelling afternoon of local league cricket.

#GreenMachine