Match Preview: Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI vs Dunmow CC 3rd XI

Herts & Essex Border League Division 3 – Saturday 23rd August 2025
Venue: Thundridge Cricket Club – 1:00pm start

This Saturday marks a special and significant occasion for Hoddesdon CC’s Saturday 3rd XI as they play their final home game of the season at Thundridge, welcoming promotion-chasing Dunmow CC 3rd XI in a contest that promises fireworks. With the late summer sun forecast to shine on Ermine Street, this Division 3 encounter has all the ingredients of a classic: a Hoddesdon side full of spirit and eager to end their home campaign on a high, against a Dunmow team brimming with quality and sitting third in the table.

It has been a season of mixed fortunes for the Hoddy HEBL 3s, with highs and lows shaping a campaign that has kept supporters on their toes. Last weekend’s superb away victory at Stansted CC provided a much-needed lift, a timely reminder of what this group of players can produce when it all clicks. That result not only bolstered the confidence within the squad but also gave them a platform to launch into this final stretch with momentum and belief. Now, with two games left – Saturday’s showdown at Thundridge, followed by the trip to Little Munden 1st XI on the final weekend – the boys in green will be determined to finish strong.

Leadership Change: Louis Webb Takes the Reins

For this clash, Louis Webb will captain the side, stepping up in the absence of regular skipper Ross Maughan, who has earned a call-up to bolster the 2nd XI in their desperate fight against relegation. Maughan’s promotion underlines the depth of Hoddesdon cricket at present and offers Louis a chance to lead from the front. Webb is no stranger to responsibility, having skippered games before, and he’ll be relishing the opportunity to marshal a squad that blends youth, experience, and raw energy. With the likes of Paul Webb, a vastly experienced all-rounder, in the ranks alongside the emerging talents of Austin and Rudy Bean, there is balance across the team sheet.

One notable absentee, however, will be Max Murray, last week’s centurion and Green Jacket winner. Murray’s blistering innings proved decisive at Stansted, and his absence leaves a sizeable gap in the batting order. Hoddesdon will need others to step up and seize the moment if they are to replicate that kind of run-scoring dominance this Saturday.

The selection picture remains fluid as the week progresses. While the Beans and Paul Webb are pencilled in, there is still uncertainty around players like Peter Draisey, George Elsom, Ryan Pels, Henry Taylor, and young Freddie Hawkins. With several of them likely to be available, Webb will be able to assemble a competitive XI, though final tweaks may come right up to Saturday morning.

The Opposition: Dunmow CC 3rd XI

Standing in Hoddesdon’s way is a Dunmow side who have been one of the most consistent outfits in the division this year. Sitting third in the Division 3 table with 237 points, they are just two wins shy of securing promotion – and they will arrive at Thundridge hungry to collect maximum points. Their form guide tells the story of a team that can be dangerous on its day: two wins from their last four matches, with a couple of slips along the way that have cost them in the promotion race. But make no mistake – this is a group packed with match-winners, and Hoddesdon will need to be sharp to keep them at bay.

Here are where the threats lie:

• Jack Hayes is their batting talisman, amassing 284 runs this season with a highest score of 85. He has been the backbone of their innings on multiple occasions, providing stability and scoring power.
• George Lattimore is their strike-rate king, boasting a phenomenal 148.94 SR, meaning he can take the game away in a matter of overs if given any width or loose deliveries.
• On the bowling front, Harry Brinkley is the chief destroyer. With 21 wickets to his name and best figures of 5/36, he is a proven match-winner who can decimate batting line-ups.
• Henry Warren adds a different dimension with the ball, his miserly 2.33 economy rate making him a bowler who ties down an end and builds pressure relentlessly.

With those names in form, Dunmow will arrive with confidence, knowing they have both run-scorers and wicket-takers capable of swinging the match.

The Table: Different Stakes, Same Motivation

Looking at the Division 3 standings, it is clear that both sides have very different stakes heading into this clash. Dunmow (3rd, 237 points): Still in the thick of the promotion race, though chasing Matching Green (268 pts) and Little Munden (239 pts). They need victories in their final two games to stand any chance of climbing higher.

Hoddesdon (8th, 163 points): Safe from the bottom but too far off the promotion spots, the aim now is about finishing strong, taking scalps from the top teams, and building momentum and confidence heading into next season. That difference in stakes might suit Hoddesdon. With Dunmow under pressure to win, Hoddy can play with freedom, the underdogs at home with nothing to lose and everything to gain from causing an upset.

Last Week’s Springboard

The win away at Stansted last weekend cannot be understated. Hoddesdon showed resilience, teamwork, and moments of brilliance to get the better of a side desperate for points. With Max Murray leading the charge with his ton, the batting fired at the right time, while the bowlers stuck to their plans and delivered under pressure. Once again, Austin (2 wickets) and Rudy (1 wicket) showed their ability and complimented Paul Webb (3 wickets), in a superb bowling performance. Louis Webb and Henry Taylor also chipped in on the wicket front to highlight a well oiled machine.

Catches were also snaffled at regular intervals with the likes of Pels and glove man Draisey clinging on at crucial moments.

That victory has breathed fresh life into the dressing room. Players have been buzzing in training, and the atmosphere heading into Saturday feels upbeat. The task now is to back it up – to prove that last week wasn’t a one-off but rather the start of a late-season surge.

Key Battles to Watch

Every cricket match is decided by key mini-contests, and this fixture is no different. A few battles stand out:

• Hoddesdon top order vs Harry Brinkley. Brinkley has been in lethal form with the ball, and Hoddy’s top three will need to be disciplined early on. Survive Brinkley’s opening burst, and runs could flow later.
• Paul Webb vs Henry Warren. Experience vs control. If Paul Webb is set, he’ll look to rotate strike and punish anything loose. Warren’s miserly economy could frustrate batsmen and create pressure.
• Louis Webb’s captaincy vs Jack Hayes’ batting. The new skipper will be tested in the field, especially when Hayes is at the crease. Field placements and bowling changes will be crucial to containing Dunmow’s leading run-scorer.
• Middle-order hitting vs George Lattimore. If Lattimore gets in, he has the power to take the game away. Hoddy’s bowlers must be proactive with slower balls, yorkers, and sharp fielding to cut off his scoring zones.

The Thundridge Factor

This being the final home game of the season at Thundridge adds extra significance. The ground has been a welcoming fortress this year, with plenty of support from families and friends. The boys will want to sign off their Thundridge campaign with a performance to remember, giving their loyal supporters one last afternoon of entertainment before the curtain closes on home fixtures. The picturesque outfield, the familiar conditions, and the backing of the crowd could prove invaluable. If Hoddesdon can channel the energy of their supporters, it could inspire one of their best performances of the season.

Looking Ahead

After this weekend, Hoddesdon will travel to Little Munden 1st XI to close out the season – a daunting challenge in itself given Little Munden’s position near the top of the league. But the immediate focus is Dunmow. One step at a time, one match at a time.

There’s no denying that Dunmow will arrive as favourites. Their league position, their form, and their promotion ambitions all suggest they will be a formidable opponent. Yet cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, and Hoddesdon have shown before – not least last weekend – that they are more than capable of upsetting the odds. If the Beans can provide a solid platform, if Paul Webb can marshal the middle order, and if Louis Webb’s captaincy can inspire his bowlers to execute their plans, there is every chance the Green Machine could make this a day to remember. For Hoddesdon supporters, it’s the last chance this year to cheer on the HEBL 3rd XI at Thundridge. Expect passion, expect energy, and expect a team determined to give everything in their final home outing.

One more push, one more performance, one more chance to roar the Green Machine home.

#GreenMachine