HARLOW HIT HARD AS HODDY FOURTHS SHOW FIGHT IN THUNDRIDGE TEST

Hoddesdon CC 4th XI produced a spirited and encouraging display at Thundridge on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell to a strong Harlow CC 5th XI side by 98 runs in Division 4 of the Herts & Essex Border League.

Despite the defeat, there was a notably more positive feeling around the home side compared to the opening-day loss at Bishop’s Stortford. Against opponents who arrived at Thundridge sitting top of the early league table, Hoddesdon showed significantly greater organisation, fight and belief, pushing Harlow much harder than the final scoreline perhaps suggested. Captain Nirosh Perera was particularly keen to highlight the positives afterwards, praising both the team spirit and the visible improvement shown throughout the afternoon.

HODDESDON ELECT TO BOWL

Winning the toss under warm spring skies, Perera chose to field first on a surface that looked likely to offer something for the seamers early on. The new-ball pairing of Jack Bailey and Seb Ringe began with discipline and energy, keeping Harlow’s openers relatively quiet during the opening exchanges. Harlow’s innings was opened by Jack Sykes and Muhammad Ayaz Amin, and while the pair initially found scoring difficult, Amin eventually broke free with a counter-attacking innings that shifted the momentum. The aggressive Harlow batter struck 41 from just 30 balls, including five fours and three sixes, before Bailey made the breakthrough thanks to a well-judged catch by Lee Ellerbeck.

Perera afterwards singled out several members of the bowling attack for praise.

“Each one of the bowling unit showed moments of quality,” he said. “Seb and Chunot in particular I felt settled into a great rhythm to stifle the scoring. Jack, Boris and Luke showed a lot of spirit bowling in tricky phases.” Indeed, Chunot Shah impressed during a controlled spell that brought him two wickets, while Seb Ringe bowled with admirable accuracy and composure to keep Harlow honest through the middle overs.

SCHOLTZ LEADS HARLOW RECOVERY

After Amin’s dismissal, however, Harlow found another gear through the outstanding Marius Scholtz. The stylish middle-order batsman compiled a commanding 97 from 85 deliveries, peppering the boundary rope with 16 fours in a superbly paced innings that proved the decisive contribution of the match. Even then, Hoddesdon continued to battle.

Perera himself produced an excellent spell with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-34 from seven overs and removing both Sykes and Scholtz during a strong personal performance. The skipper admitted afterwards there was one key moment he would love to have back.

“Our aim going forward is to become more consistent with our line and length in the way Paul was — this helps us to build pressure and create more chances,” he reflected. “Had I taken the catch at long on, maybe the game would have gone our way.”

While Perera’s missed opportunity proved costly, Hoddesdon’s overall fielding effort drew widespread praise.

“My drop aside, there were some great catches in the field,” he added. “Lee and Jack’s were both excellently judged.” The catches from Ellerbeck and Bailey were indeed highlights in an otherwise challenging afternoon, while Paul Webb also contributed an important catch alongside a typically reliable spell with the ball, Webb’s experience again proved invaluable to the side, both on and off the field.

LEARNING AS A CAPTAIN

One of the most refreshing aspects of Perera’s leadership so far has been his openness and honesty regarding his own development as a captain. Rather than deflecting responsibility, the skipper spoke candidly about the lessons he is learning week by week.

“I have a lot to learn about setting fields,” he admitted. “I want to be able to help keep the intensity up by moving you into positions that allow us to switch ends efficiently.”

That attitude appears to have been embraced by the squad, who continue to rally around their captain and the positive environment developing within the side. By the end of Harlow’s innings, the visitors had reached a formidable 230-8 from their 40 overs.

WEBB AND DASH START THE REPLY

In response, Hoddesdon opened the batting with Paul Webb and Darshana Keerthichandra, and both immediately showed intent. Webb struck three crisp boundaries in a lively 13 from 16 balls, demonstrating the power down the ground Perera later referenced in his post-match reflections. Darshana meanwhile played with elegance and composure, compiling 17 during a promising stand before both openers fell just as they appeared to be settling. Perera was keen to emphasise the encouraging signs shown by his batting group.

“All of the top order showed glimpses that they could score big,” he said. “Dash and Stuart with real elegance and Paul with power down the ground. Alas, fielders were picked out just as you were all getting going.”

ELLERBECK COUNTERATTACKS

The standout innings of Hoddesdon’s chase came from Lee Ellerbeck, whose determined 33 injected genuine momentum into the innings during the middle overs. Counter-punching aggressively against Harlow’s bowlers, Ellerbeck briefly threatened to swing the match back towards the home side with a series of attacking strokes. Perera clearly enjoyed watching his teammate take the game on.

“It was great fun watching Lee counterpunch and strike fear into the oppo,” the skipper smiled afterwards.

Unfortunately, Hoddesdon continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Stuart Ringe contributed a valuable 18, while Perera himself added 13 before falling to Adam Dack. The run-out of Ellerbeck proved particularly frustrating.

“The run out was unfortunate but ultimately avoidable,” Perera admitted. “The running between the wickets is something for us all to work on — loud, clear calls and understanding who is responsible for making the decision on whether the run is on or not.”

It was a fair assessment of an innings that showed plenty of attacking intent, but perhaps lacked the composure and communication required to build lasting partnerships.

BARNEY’S BREAKTHROUGH DAY

One of the biggest positives for Hoddesdon came through young wicketkeeper Barnaby Webb. Still gaining experience in senior cricket, Barney was asked to stand up to the stumps after only the second over — a challenge that could easily have unsettled a younger player. Instead, he embraced it. Perera was full of praise for the youngster afterwards and named him his personal player of the match.

“Player of the match for me has to be Barney,” he said. “It felt like a breakthrough moment for him to come up to the stumps after the second over. This must have felt uncomfortable and challenging for him, but in my view, Barney took to that challenge with great aplomb. I was really proud to see him up there.”

Barney remained unbeaten on 6 at the close of the innings and continues to grow in confidence with every game.

HARLOW FINISH THE JOB

Despite the positive moments, Harlow’s bowling attack eventually proved too strong. Ben Dack led the way with 4-30, while Adam Dack returned outstanding figures of 3-14 from eight overs. Hoddesdon were eventually dismissed for 132 in 27.4 overs, handing Harlow a deserved 98-run victory and leaving the visitors top of the Division 4 standings.

“WE GO AGAIN”

While the scoreboard showed another defeat, the mood afterwards was far from negative. There is clearly progress being made within this Hoddesdon side, and Perera was determined to ensure his players recognised that.

“You should be proud of how you applied yourself yesterday,” he told the squad afterwards. “We are heading in the right direction and if we continue to train hard and play with a great spirit and a smile, the results will start coming.”

The skipper also paid tribute to several senior players who helped him throughout the day.

“Massive shout out to Jack, Dash and Paul Webb — for supporting on the field and with the logistics. You guys helped me no end!”

And finally, with optimism still very much intact despite the defeat, Perera signed off with a simple message that perfectly captured the mood around the team:

“Thanks all — we go again next week!”

#GreenMachine