There may not yet be a win beside Hoddesdon 4th XI’s name in the Herts & Essex Border League Division 4 table, but anyone watching this spirited young side at North Weald on Saturday would have walked away knowing one thing for certain — this team is improving rapidly, growing together, and getting closer to something special.

On a warm afternoon in Essex, captain Nirosh Perera led his fledgling side into battle against one of the division’s early pace-setters, and although North Weald eventually emerged 32-run winners after posting 207/6 from their 40 overs, Hoddesdon’s reply of 175 all out in 38.5 overs contained enough fight, promise and positivity to leave the travelling side upbeat rather than downhearted.

And while the result ultimately went the way of the home side, the day belonged to young Freddie Lee.

Playing only his second ever adult league cricket match, the talented youngster produced a superb spell of bowling to claim 3 wickets for 37 runs from his 8 overs, displaying composure, intelligence and control far beyond his years. Back at the clubhouse afterwards, surrounded by proud team-mates, friends and family, Freddie was awarded the coveted Green Jacket as Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Player of the Week across all senior sides.

It was a hugely popular moment.

Freddie is, of course, the son of Hoddesdon 2nd XI captain Adrian “Animal” Lee and Junior Cricket Secretary — and social media queen — Melissa Lee, both of whom have dedicated countless hours to the club over the years. Cricket clearly runs deep within the family too, with sister Lois also developing into a hugely promising young cricketer in her own right. Saturday felt like another proud chapter in the Lee family story at Lowfield.

The signs had actually been encouraging from the very beginning for Hoddesdon. Despite North Weald winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the visitors attacked the game with excellent energy in the field and plenty of discipline with the ball. Captain Perera himself set the tone superbly. Bowling with control and intelligence, he delivered eight tidy overs for just 30 runs, constantly asking questions of the North Weald batters and refusing to allow the innings to run away early on.

Young Seb Ringe continued his promising start to adult cricket with another controlled spell, conceding just 18 runs from his four overs at an economy rate of 4.5, while Chunot Shah also impressed with his consistency and effort across a demanding eight-over spell. There was also encouragement from exciting youngster Aoylid Hossain, who picked up the wicket of dangerous North Weald batter Paul Mount — fresh from scoring 66 the previous week against Dunmow — while Jack Bailey claimed the important breakthrough of opener Jack Flowers for 36.

But the headline act with the ball was unquestionably Freddie Lee.

Bowling with impressive flight and maturity, Freddie spun the ball sharply and constantly troubled the opposition middle order. Archie Pyle was trapped for 7 before Marc Phillips and Ross Haworth both followed shortly afterwards, the young Hoddesdon spinner suddenly ripping through the innings and injecting fresh energy into the game. North Weald still posted a competitive 207/6, thanks largely to an unbeaten 81 from Vincent Curren, but Hoddesdon’s bowlers had worked tirelessly and given their side a genuine chance.

Perera afterwards could not hide his delight with the progress being shown by his side.

“Despite the loss yesterday, I am feeling really positive and happy about our performance,” the skipper reflected.

“Three games in, this was by far our strongest performance and had a few small things gone our way, we could have got the result we wanted. Our ground fielding was great. We got ourselves about, put our bodies behind the ball and saved plenty of boundaries.”

Perera also praised the work of his bowling unit in glowing terms.

“I thought we bowled excellently yesterday. Seb offered great control, so too Chunot and Jack. Aoylid, for a guy who hasn’t played leather balls in years, was a real threat. The standout though was Freddie who bowled a stunning spell; flight, turn, control. It was a joy to watch!”

The Hoddesdon captain also revealed how communication and preparation had helped unlock Freddie’s success.

“Something that really helped me support Freddie was chats with him and Animal prior to the game on what field he wanted. It allowed me to confidently articulate where I wanted everybody to be and get us moving swiftly through the overs.”

Set 208 to win, Hoddesdon’s reply got off to the worst possible start.

Experienced campaigner Paul Webb was dismissed for just 1, before Perera himself fell without scoring, and when veteran Neil “Pommers” Pomeroy departed for 3, the visitors were wobbling badly at 7/3. Against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the division, the game could easily have slipped away right there. Instead, Hoddesdon’s young side showed character.

A magnificent rebuilding effort from Darshana Keerthichandra and Jack Bailey dragged the visitors back into the contest and gave everyone watching a glimpse into an exciting future. Darshana once again demonstrated the quality that has already made him such an important player for the 4th XI. Calm under pressure, elegant through the off side and increasingly confident as the innings developed, he struck a superb 51 from 66 balls, including six boundaries.

Alongside him, Jack Bailey produced arguably his finest innings in adult cricket to date. The youngster showed excellent temperament and maturity, compiling 47 from 84 balls in an innings full of patience, smart shot selection and determination. Having spent the winter putting in hard work on his game, Saturday felt like a genuine breakthrough moment.

Perera certainly thought so.

“We all know of Dash’s quality, but to see Jack play an innings of such maturity; solid technique and picking the bad balls away — it’s a real breakthrough moment and a testament to a huge amount of dedication Jack has put in during the off season,” said the captain.

“It’s a lesson for us all on how putting the hard yards in will bear fruit.”

Their partnership transformed the mood of the contest. At 96/4 and then 116/5, Hoddesdon still believed. George Elsom battled hard despite making only 1, while Barnaby Webb unfortunately fell without scoring, but there were further encouraging contributions lower down the order too. Aoylid Hossain struck an entertaining unbeaten 23 from just 22 deliveries, showing exactly why he is viewed as one of the most exciting all-round talents in the side, while Seb Ringe added 4 before Freddie Lee’s innings came to an end first ball.

Ultimately, the target proved just beyond Hoddesdon’s reach, but 175 represented a determined and spirited effort from a side packed with youth and potential. The extras column also told an important story. Hoddesdon benefitted from 44 extras as North Weald struggled for consistency at times, and Perera believes his own side are learning similar lessons as they continue developing together.

“The next step is to increase the intensity and be a touch braver,” he explained.

“For those inside the ring, can we position ourselves close enough to the batsman and attack the ball so that they are in two minds about the quick single? These small things will make the difference between winning and losing.”

Perera’s positivity around the group was impossible to miss.

“With that, and despite Freddie’s brilliance with the ball, Jack is the week’s player of the match,” he added.

“Here’s to plenty more to come from both Freddie and Jack this season. Great work yesterday all, the improvements are there for all to see and I am in little doubt that a win is just around the corner. Let’s make it happen together next week!”

The Division 4 table still shows Hoddesdon sitting eighth after three defeats from three, but the league standings do not yet fully reflect the progress this young side is making. North Weald, now second in the table on 47 points, were pushed hard for long periods by a Hoddesdon team featuring youngsters taking their first steps in adult cricket, experienced heads helping guide them through, and a dressing room spirit that continues to strengthen every week.

There will undoubtedly be tougher afternoons ahead this season. That is the nature of development cricket. But if Saturday at North Weald proved anything, it is that this Hoddesdon 4th XI side is beginning to build something exciting. And with talents like Freddie Lee emerging so early into their cricketing journeys, the future at Lowfield looks very bright indeed.

#GreenMachine