Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 4th XI return to Thundridge on Saturday with renewed belief and a spring in their step as they welcome North Weald’s Saturday League 2nd XI for another important Herts and Essex Border League Division Four encounter. After producing one of the most extraordinary victories in the club’s recent history last weekend, Nirosh Perera’s developing side will attempt to carry that confidence into a demanding home fixture against opponents who arrive fourth in the table and in excellent form.

The match begins at 1pm at Thundridge Cricket Club, where Hoddesdon will be looking to build upon last Saturday’s remarkable four-wicket triumph over Harlow’s 5th XI. Chasing a formidable 297 for victory at Molehill Green, Hoddesdon reached 298 for six with five balls remaining, powered by Sampathreddy Palepu’s astonishing unbeaten 144 and a typically positive 47 from captain Perera. That unforgettable chase ended a difficult run of results and provided emphatic evidence that the patience, encouragement and opportunities being given to this young group are beginning to bear fruit.

Perera has repeatedly stressed that development cannot be measured solely by league positions or weekly results, particularly when so many players are learning the demands of senior cricket for the first time. However, a victory of that magnitude can transform the mood around a team, and Hoddesdon will arrive at Thundridge knowing they have already demonstrated the character required to recover from setbacks and overcome imposing situations.

“Last Saturday was a brilliant day for the entire team, but the most important thing now is how we respond to it,” said Perera. “We should enjoy what we achieved because it was a special victory, but we also need to recognise why it happened. Players stayed positive, supported each other and kept believing even when the target looked enormous, and those are the habits we want to take into every match.”

Hoddesdon currently sit eighth in Division Four with three wins from ten matches and 89 points, three points behind seventh-placed Dunmow and 15 behind both Stansted and St Margaretsbury. Those standings underline how quickly the picture could change with a productive run, although Saturday’s visitors will provide a significant test after climbing to fourth with four victories, five defeats and one abandoned match from their opening ten fixtures. North Weald have collected 114 points, leaving them only one behind third-placed Sawbridgeworth and firmly involved in the battle among the division’s leading group. Their recent form has been particularly impressive, with consecutive victories over Harlow and Dunmow following a five-wicket defeat away to St Margaretsbury.

Division 4

On July 4, North Weald successfully chased Harlow’s imposing 259 for six, reaching 260 for three in 36.5 overs to win by seven wickets. They followed that performance last weekend by posting 237 for five against Dunmow before restricting their opponents to 168 for six from 35 overs, completing a 69-run victory and collecting another maximum 20-point return. Their main batting threat is Vincent Curren, whose remarkable consistency has produced three separate scores of 81 during the campaign. Curren made an unbeaten 81 against Hoddesdon when the sides met at North Weald on May 16, repeated the exact score without being dismissed against Stansted a week later and then struck another 81 against Harlow earlier this month. Preventing him from settling will be one of Hoddesdon’s most important tasks on Saturday. Phil Ashwell has also demonstrated his ability with a score of 69 against St Margaretsbury, while Gareth Fuller struck 66 during North Weald’s successful chase at Harlow. The visitors therefore possess several batters capable of constructing substantial innings, and Hoddesdon’s young attack will need to retain its discipline against a line-up which has recently passed 230 in successive matches.

North Weald also have numerous bowling options. Curren owns their best figures of the season after taking four for 40 against Harlow Town’s 3rd XI, while Kalpesh Bhana recorded three for 14 during the previous meeting with Hoddesdon. James Pruden has claimed three for 15, Benjamin Fuller has taken three for 26 and captain Paul Mount returned three for 28 against Hoddesdon in May, giving the visitors a balanced and experienced attack. That earlier fixture ended in defeat for Hoddesdon, with Curren’s unbeaten 81 guiding North Weald to victory after Bhana and Mount had each collected three wickets. Saturday therefore offers Perera’s side an opportunity to demonstrate the progress they have made over the intervening two months, and their captain believes his players should approach the challenge with confidence rather than apprehension.

North Weald By 32 Runs Last Time The Two Sides Met

“North Weald are a strong side and their recent results show that they are playing very well, but we have also moved forward since we last faced them,” Perera said. “The young players have now experienced a lot more senior cricket, while several of the older heads have helped them understand situations and manage difficult moments. We respect the opposition, but we should not be frightened of anybody, especially after showing last weekend what this team can achieve.”

Perera leads a Hoddesdon side containing an important blend of emerging talent and senior guidance. Perry Kisby comes into the team and will provide additional leadership and composure at the top of the order, qualities which should prove invaluable alongside a captain who has carried a considerable responsibility with both bat and ball throughout the season. Kisby’s inclusion gives the younger players another experienced voice to lean upon during the afternoon. His ability to assess the game, communicate clearly and remain calm under pressure will be particularly valuable against opponents who are likely to test Hoddesdon in several different phases.

Perry Kisby

Arthur Brown continues his development after producing a series of increasingly assured performances. The young all-rounder has already claimed his first senior wicket and has received praise for his batting technique, while his willingness to bowl demanding spells and learn from every appearance has made him one of the most encouraging stories of the 4th XI season. George Elsom has also established himself as a key member of the group. His three-wicket performance against Harlow Town’s 3rd XI earned him the club’s Green Jacket award earlier in the campaign, and he continues to gain experience by accepting responsibility with both bat and ball.

Jack Bailey offers another genuine wicket-taking option and has already recorded the 4th XI’s best bowling return of the season with four for 69. Bailey also possesses the ability to contribute valuable runs, and his all-round game gives Perera flexibility when planning his attack or reshaping the batting order. Connor Taylor takes the gloves on Saturday and will be central to Hoddesdon’s work in the field. Taylor has shown determination with the bat, including a useful 19 during last weekend’s successful chase, and his encouragement from behind the stumps will be important for a bowling group containing several developing players.

Jack Bailey Is A Threat With Ball In Hand

Adam Tackley once again brings experience, enthusiasm and a strong understanding of club cricket to the side. The elder statesman remains an influential presence around a young dressing room, offering practical advice while helping ensure that players enjoy their cricket and remain positive during challenging passages. Lee Ellerbeck adds further senior experience and gives Hoddesdon another player capable of steadying an innings or contributing with the ball. His calm approach will be valuable against a North Weald side likely to apply pressure, and his presence strengthens the support network surrounding the younger members of the team.

Joshua and Matthew Kent are both selected and will receive another opportunity to continue their senior development together. Their inclusion is another example of the pathway the 4th XI is providing, allowing young players to learn alongside established club members rather than being expected to succeed immediately without guidance. Caleb Harding completes the XI and remains one of the side’s most promising developing bowlers. He has regularly taken on responsibility during difficult matches, while his determination with the bat was evident when he occupied the crease for 43 deliveries against Sawbridgeworth. Those experiences may not always dominate a scorecard, but they are precisely the building blocks from which dependable senior cricketers are produced.

Perera will once again be expected to play a central role. His 47 from only 33 deliveries against Harlow gave Hoddesdon vital momentum, while his earlier contribution of three wickets against the same opponents in May demonstrated his continuing influence with the ball. The captain’s challenge will be to balance his own performance with the responsibility of guiding a team at different stages of its cricketing journey.

“We have a really good mixture this week,” he said. “Perry, Adam and Lee give us experience, while Jack, George and Connor have already played enough senior cricket to help the younger players around them. Arthur, Caleb, Josh and Matthew are all progressing, and every match gives them another chance to understand their own games a little better.”

Hoddesdon’s starting XI is Perry Kisby, Arthur Brown, George Elsom, Jack Bailey, captain Nirosh Perera, wicketkeeper Connor Taylor, Adam Tackley, Lee Ellerbeck, Joshua Kent, Matthew Kent and Caleb Harding.

Saturday’s result will matter, as every competitive match should, but the broader purpose of this side remains equally important. Hoddesdon are attempting to nurture cricketers who can represent the club for years to come, and the lessons learned against strong opponents such as North Weald will contribute to that process regardless of the final score. Nevertheless, last weekend’s victory has shown that development and success need not be separate ambitions. When confidence, courage and application come together, this youthful Hoddesdon side is capable of producing something special, and another positive afternoon at Thundridge would strengthen the belief that last Saturday was not simply an isolated moment but another important step forward.

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Hoddesdon CC 4th XI v North Weald CC Saturday League 2nd XI
Competition: Herts and Essex Border League Division Four
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Start: 1pm
Venue: Thundridge Cricket Club
League positions: Hoddesdon eighth; North Weald fourth
North Weald players to watch: Vincent Curren, Phil Ashwell, Gareth Fuller, Kalpesh Bhana and Paul Mount
Hoddesdon XI: Perry Kisby, Arthur Brown, George Elsom, Jack Bailey, Nirosh Perera (captain), Connor Taylor (wicketkeeper), Adam Tackley, Lee Ellerbeck, Joshua Kent, Matthew Kent and Caleb Harding

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