YOUNG HODDY TAKE FIVE POINTS IN STORTFORD TEST
Nirosh four-for and battling fielding display provide encouragement despite 120-run defeat at Thundridge

Hoddesdon 4th XI endured another tough afternoon in the Hertfordshire & Essex Border League Division 4 on Saturday, falling to a 120-run defeat against Bishop’s Stortford CC 1825s in sweltering conditions at Thundridge Cricket Club. On a day where the heat was relentless and the opposition arrived as one of the strongest sides in the division, Nirosh Perera’s young and developing side were asked to dig deep once again.

Bishop’s Stortford batted first after winning the toss and posted 194-9 from their 35 overs, a total that looked competitive but not entirely out of reach on a fast outfield with a short boundary in play. Hoddesdon’s reply never quite found the partnerships it needed, with the hosts eventually bowled out for 74 in 25.3 overs, earning five points from the game thanks to one batting point and four bowling points. The result leaves Hoddesdon 4th XI ninth in the Division 4 table with 69 points from nine matches, while Bishop’s Stortford remain second on 150 points, keeping pressure on league leaders Harlow Town CC 3rd XI, who sit top on 165. Sawbridgeworth now occupy third with 108, Stansted are fourth on 97, North Weald fifth on 94, with Dunmow, St Margaretsbury and Harlow 5th XI also above Hoddesdon in what continues to be a very challenging division.

HEBL Division 4

Although the final margin was heavy, there was plenty for Hoddesdon to take from the fielding effort. In difficult heat, on a ground where one side of the boundary offered value for shots, the bowlers stuck at their task and restricted Bishop’s Stortford to under 200, which was no small achievement against a side packed with confidence and experience. Captain Nirosh Perera led superbly with the ball, finishing with excellent figures of 4-32 from seven overs, including one maiden. He removed Luca Livermore, Ed Warren, William Hutley and Henry Skea-Strachan, giving Hoddesdon control at important stages and showing the kind of discipline and persistence he has been encouraging from his players all season.

Once Again, Nirosh Lead From The Front With The Bat

George Viggars also continued his impressive development with another encouraging senior spell, taking 2-27 from seven overs. His wickets of William Tredgett and Conran Fleet were fully deserved, and once again showed why the club are so excited about the experience being gained by the younger members of this side. Connor Taylor bowled seven overs for 29 and picked up the wicket of Ben Livermore, while George Elsom also claimed two wickets, removing Toby Ricketts and Alex Burnet. Arthur Brown and Jack Bailey went wicketless this time, but both contributed overs in demanding conditions, with Arthur sending down four overs for 24 and Jack bowling four overs for 25.

Bishop’s Stortford’s innings was built around useful contributions rather than one runaway score. Toby Ricketts top-scored with 38 from 48 balls, Alex Burnet added 31 from 33, Ben Livermore made 29 from 26, while Ed Warren, Conran Fleet and Graeme Sumner all scored 18 apiece. That spread of contributions eventually pushed the visitors to 194-9, but Hoddesdon deserve credit for never allowing the game to completely run away from them in the first innings. The wickets were shared around and the fielders stayed in the contest, even as the heat made every chase to the boundary feel like a test of both legs and lungs.

Despite Defeat, Hoddesdon Took 5 Important Points From The Game

New recruit Ben Marques, keeping wicket for Hoddesdon on the day, later praised the attitude of the side in the group chat. He noted that restricting a strong Bishop’s Stortford batting line-up to under 200, particularly with the short boundary and the awkward wind coming across the ground, was a real sign of progress from the fielding unit. Marques also highlighted the bowling effort, pointing out that the younger players should take confidence from how often they challenged the opposition by attacking the stumps. His message was not just praise, but a reminder that the next step for this young side is learning how to transfer those good passages into longer spells of pressure and, with the bat, into partnerships that can change games.

Ben Marques Had Words Of Encouragement For His Side On Saturday Evening

With 195 required, Hoddesdon needed a solid start, but Bishop’s Stortford’s attack made early scoring difficult. Henry Skea-Strachan immediately showed why he is one of the division’s danger men, bowling five overs, three maidens, taking 1-6 and giving Hoddesdon very little to work with. Nirosh once again stood tall with the bat, making a patient and determined 25 from 77 balls at the top of the order. It was not a flashy innings, but it was exactly the kind of knock that showed value, patience and responsibility, with the captain occupying the crease while wickets fell around him.

George Elsom added 9 from 16 balls, Jack Bailey made 5 from 12, Ben Marques finished unbeaten on 4 from just two deliveries, while George Viggars battled for 3 from 13 balls. Andy Viggars, Connor Taylor and others fought hard, but Stortford’s bowlers continued to hit good areas and Hoddesdon struggled to build the kind of stand that would have brought the chase to life. Extras again played a major part in the Hoddesdon total, contributing 24, but this time it was Nirosh who led the scoring from the bat. The fall of wickets told the story of an innings where partnerships never had time to settle, with Hoddesdon slipping from 23-2 to 43-5, then from 55-6 to 74 all out.

Stortford’s bowlers shared the wickets impressively. Graeme Sumner took 2-10, Luca Livermore 2-7 and Conran Fleet 2-0 from just three balls, while Henry Skea-Strachan, Alex Burnet, Ed Warren and William Hutley all picked up one wicket each.

Reflecting on the match, Nirosh remained positive and focused on the bigger picture.

“We are disappointed with the result, of course, but I cannot fault the effort in the field,” said Perera. “To keep a side like Bishop’s Stortford under 200 in that heat, with that boundary and against that batting line-up, showed a lot of character from the group.”

“The batting is where we know we need to keep working,” he added. “We need to value our wickets, build partnerships and learn how to get through tough spells, but that comes with experience. The young lads are being exposed to proper senior cricket every week and, although that can be hard, it is going to make them better players.”

Nirosh Believes His Side's Batting Will Only Improve

There was also plenty of encouragement in the way the more experienced members of the side supported the younger players. Ben Marques’ comments after the game summed up that spirit perfectly, with praise for the fielding, honest reflection on the batting, and a clear message to the younger players that training with senior cricketers will help them become braver, sharper and more confident. That is exactly what this 4th XI is about. Results may not always be pretty, but every over bowled by Caleb Harding, Arthur Brown, George Viggars, George Elsom and Jack Bailey is another step forward, and every tough spell faced with the bat is another lesson banked for the future.

Hoddesdon were beaten by a better side on the day, but they were not short of heart, effort or purpose. In a season built around development, patience and opportunity, Nirosh’s side once again showed that the future of the club is being given its chance to learn in the hardest but most valuable environment of all: Saturday senior cricket.

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