While Nirosh Perera's youthful side prepare to welcome Harlow Town CC 3rd XI to Thundridge, the visitors arrive as the division's pace-setters, sitting proudly at the summit of Division 4 with 105 points from six matches. Three wins, two opposition concessions and a cancellation have helped establish Harlow as the team everybody else is chasing.

For Hoddesdon, currently seventh on 57 points, the challenge is obvious. Yet there is plenty of optimism around the camp. Recent performances have shown encouraging signs, young players continue to develop every week, and the side welcomes one of the most experienced cricketers in the county to the line-up as Neil "Pommers" Pomeroy takes his place in the XI. With temperatures forecast to reach the mid-to-high twenties and a warm summer afternoon expected at Thundridge, all the ingredients are in place for an entertaining contest.

LEAGUE LEADERS COME TO TOWN

The table makes for impressive reading from a Harlow perspective. They sit top with 105 points, ahead of Bishop's Stortford 1825's on 90 and Stansted 2nd XI on 89. Hoddesdon occupy seventh place with 57 points but remain within touching distance of several teams above them.

HEBL Division 4 League Table

Harlow's recent form explains why they are setting the pace. Their latest outing saw them defeat North Weald by 45 runs after posting 177 for 9. Earlier in the campaign they received a concession from Sawbridgeworth and another from Harlow 5th XI, while a fixture against Bishop's Stortford 1825's was abandoned. The form guide tells the story clearly. Harlow arrive unbeaten in completed matches and full of confidence. However, Hoddesdon will take encouragement from their own recent victories. A superb 80-run success against St Margaretsbury showcased the side's batting potential, while a thrilling 12-run victory over Stansted demonstrated the fighting spirit that exists throughout the squad. Last weekend's defeat against Dunmow was disappointing, but Perera and his players know they are capable of producing cricket far better than that result suggested.

NIROSH'S MESSAGE: KEEP LEARNING, KEEP COMPETING

Captain Nirosh Perera remains upbeat despite the size of the challenge awaiting his side.

"We know Harlow are top for a reason," said Perera ahead of the match.

"They've had a fantastic start to the season and we're under no illusions about how difficult this game will be. But we're looking forward to it because these are the matches that help young players improve. We've got a really good group of lads. Every week they're learning more about senior cricket and becoming better players. If we play with energy, take our catches and back ourselves, there's no reason why we can't give them a very competitive game."

Perera also highlighted the importance of enjoying the occasion.

"The weather should be brilliant, we're at home, and cricket is meant to be fun. We want the boys to play with smiles on their faces and show what they can do."

4th XI Captain Nirosh Perera

THE HARLOW DANGER MEN

The visitors possess several players capable of influencing the match.

At the top of the batting charts sits Rehan Kataria, who has scored 101 runs from just three innings at an average of 33.67. Two half-centuries already suggest he is a player capable of taking a game away from opponents if allowed to settle. His scores of 51 and 50 demonstrate impressive consistency, and Hoddesdon's bowlers will know that an early breakthrough could be crucial. James Williamson is another player to watch closely. His innings of 71 against Stansted remains the highest individual score recorded by a Harlow batsman this season, while he followed that with another excellent knock of 67 against St Margaretsbury. Daniel Dewey has also impressed with both bat and ball. His score of 53 against St Margaretsbury showed his batting quality, while bowling figures of 3 for 21 place him among Harlow's most effective all-round performers.

With the ball, Joe Thomas has been outstanding. His remarkable spell of 4 for 19 against North Weald underlines his threat. Across just 6.5 overs this season he has collected four wickets at an average of only 4.75 while maintaining an economy rate below three runs per over. Dewey and Sukhdeep Bal have also claimed three wickets apiece and provide additional depth to an already impressive attack.

POMMERS: A CRICKET LIFE SPANNING THE DECADES

While Harlow bring youthful momentum, Hoddesdon counter with something equally valuable: experience.

The inclusion of Neil Pomeroy is a significant boost for the home side. Known affectionately throughout local cricket circles as "Pommers", he represents the kind of player every young team needs around the dressing room. The statistics alone are remarkable. According to Play-Cricket records stretching back to 1994, Neil has been playing competitive cricket for more than three decades, and likely much longer than that.

Think about that for a moment. Some members of this Hoddesdon side weren't even born when Pommers was already taking the field. Over the years he has represented numerous clubs across Hertfordshire, including East Herts Cavaliers, Preston CC, Herts and Hoddesdon among others. His career batting record currently stands at over 1,000 runs, including a highest score of 55 for Preston CC, Herts - 2nd Sunday XI against Abbots Langley CC - 2nd XI on the 10th of August 2008, while his bowling has produced memorable spells such as 3 for 31 for our Sunday Friendly XI v Bengeo CC - 1st XI on the 9th of May 2021 and 2 for 35, again for our sunday side v Botany Bay on the 9th of June 2024.

Pommers celebrated his 72nd birthday just two weeks ago on the 4th of June.

Born in 1954, when Winston Churchill was Prime Minister and England's cricketers were preparing for an Ashes summer, Pomeroy will take the field this weekend alongside teammates born more than half a century later – a wonderful example of cricket's ability to bring generations together. England won that series 3–1, with one match drawn, and thereby retained The Ashes, which they had won in 1953. Nirosh will hope Pommers can bring some of that spirit of '54 with him to Thundridge on Saturday.

What makes Pomeroy particularly valuable, however, isn't simply the statistics. It's the accumulated knowledge. The understanding of conditions. The ability to calm nerves. The knack of knowing when to attack and when to defend. The awareness of field placements, bowling plans and game situations that only decades spent on cricket fields can provide. For a developing Hoddesdon side packed with youngsters, having Pommers alongside them is invaluable.

Neil 'Pommers' Pomeroy

Perera was quick to praise his elder statesman.

"You can't buy experience like Neil's. He's played cricket for longer than some of our lads have been alive. The advice he gives, the way he talks about the game and the calmness he brings are massive assets for us. He's one of the nicest blokes you'll meet and we're lucky to have him around. Hopefully he can show the youngsters a few tricks this weekend."

THE HODDESDON XI

Hoddesdon have named the following side:

Jack Bailey
Expected to provide positive intent at the top of the order while bringing energy in the field.

Lee Ellerbeck
An experienced presence and older head, capable of steadying the innings when required.

George Elsom
Continues to develop and will be eager to make an impact against the league leaders.

Caleb Harding
Unknown quantity but an exciting prospect to take in on Saturday.

Perry Kisby
Offers enthusiasm and commitment every time he takes the field and has a 40 to his name for the club as recent as May 2025.

Freddie Lee
The former Green Jacket winner has already shown his talent this season and remains one of the brightest young players in the squad.

Nirosh Perera (Captain)
Leads from the front and continues to guide a developing side through a challenging campaign.

Neil Pomeroy
The elder statesman. The mentor. The wise head. Expect plenty of encouragement, advice and perhaps a few stories from three decades of cricketing adventures. And maybe some Brentford FC chat too.

Nikunj Pradhan
Capable of making important contributions with both bat and ball.

Connor Taylor
Another player continuing to gain valuable experience at senior level.

Barnaby Webb (Wicketkeeper)
A dependable presence behind the stumps whose enthusiasm is infectious and his surname royalty around these parts.

POSITIVES EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK

While the table suggests Harlow start as favourites, Hoddesdon have plenty of reasons for optimism.

This side continues to improve.
Young players are gaining confidence.
Partnerships are forming.
Lessons are being learned.
Perhaps most importantly, there is a genuine sense of togetherness developing within the group.

Perera's team have already demonstrated they can compete, as victories over St Margaretsbury and Stansted proved earlier in the season. If they can reproduce the batting that delivered 237 against St Margaretsbury and combine it with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, they have every chance of making life uncomfortable for the visitors. Harlow may arrive as league leaders, possess the stronger record, boast some impressive individual statistics, but cricket has always had a habit of ignoring expectations. And with a talented young side, a home crowd, glorious weather and the experience of Neil "Pommers" Pomeroy helping guide the next generation, Hoddesdon will head into Saturday's contest believing they can produce something special.

MATCH SUMMARY

Fixture: Hoddesdon CC 4th XI vs Harlow Town CC 3rd XI
Competition: Herts & Essex Border League Division 4
Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
Time: 1:00pm
Venue: Thundridge CC Ground
Weather: Warm and sunny, mid to high 20s
League Positions: Harlow Town 3rd XI 1st (105 pts), Hoddesdon 4th XI 7th (57 pts)

Harlow Danger Men: Rehan Kataria (101 runs), James Williamson (71 & 67), Joe Thomas (4/19), Daniel Dewey (53 and 3/21)
Hoddesdon Ones to Watch: Freddie Lee, Nirosh Perera, Barnaby Webb and the vastly experienced Neil Pomeroy.

Up The 4s!!

#GreenMachine