Following a washout in week one, the 1st team travelled to near neighbours Hoddesdon for what would be the first league fixture of 2023.

New skipper Davies won the toss and elected to bowl, on what could only be described as a damp one...

The decision looked to be a fruitful one as the Broxbourne bowling attack started very positively removing the ever dangerous Walters early doors and regular wickets fell thereafter. When Broxbourne had the Hoddesdon line up 73-8 it was looking more likely that the innings would be swiftly wrapped up and the chase would be on. However, some excellent lower order batting from Rob Harcombe put pay to that and he managed to get Hoddy up to something of a total finishing up the innings 126 all out.

At the half way point, the Broxbourne boys were well aware this would not be the most straight forward of chases... and so it proved! Broxbourne lost the early wicket of Plumb which unfortunately set a tone for what was to come. With some excellent bowling in the middle from both Walters and Mason Broxbourne were soon under the pump at 69-6. With a small amount of rebuilding carried out by Sargent and Murphy Broxbourne looked like they could be back on for the victory. However, when Murphy fell for 14 the lower order collapse came very quickly there after leaving Chris Sargent stranded for a well made 31*.

All in all, it was a cracking game of cricket that the boys ended up coming up just short in. There were some real positives to take from the first innings and a lot to learn when it came to the second! We welcome Redbourn to Mill Lane Close this weekend with the bit firmly between our teeth to pick up our first win of the 2023 campaign! UTB!