Despite a commendable 24-run away win against third-placed Broxbourne CC 2nd XI on the final day of the season, in which Naz Asif and Dan Potter scored half-centuries, Will Wyatt scored 40 not out and Saahil Mehra took 3-35, the Village needed other results to go their way. That wasn’t the case and the 1s will now play their cricket in Division 5A next season.

The 1s spent just one season in Division 4B after earning promotion from 5B in 2022, when they were crowned champions.

In a pre-season interview with millhillvillagecricketclub.co.uk, Potter had said that the key to a successful 2023 season was "all about whether we can consistently score big runs." But only four 1st XI league half-centuries were registered over the course of the season, with no tons.

Mill Hill Village Cricket Club 1st XI captain Dan Potter, who scored two of those fifties, said: “This season it just felt like nothing went our way and we were never able to build any momentum. The constant threat of rain didn’t help [five matches were cancelled due to the weather].

“Ultimately, though, our performances weren’t good enough, particularly with the bat. Maybe the new nets at the club will help on that front.

“Our excellent win in the last match of the season should remind us that we’re more than good enough to get promoted again next year.”

Elsewhere, Mill Hill Village 2nd XI narrowly missed out on promotion after a creditable fourth-placed finish in Division 7B. The 2s, captained by James O’Sullivan, needed a win against Luton Town & Indians CC 3rd XI on the final day of the season and other results to go their way to secure promotion. But the 2s failed to chase down a modest 147 and Luton Town & Indians CC ran out winners by 42 runs.

It was the 2nd XI’s first season in Division 7B after they won promotion in 2022 from Division 8B. They will be optimistic about their promotion prospects next year.

As for the 3rd XI and 4th XI, there was less to play for on the final day. Both sides went down to defeats on the final day. Mill Hill Village 3rd XI, captained by our Director of Cricket Phil Smith, finished sixth, winning six games out of 18, in Division 10E.

Mill Hill Village 4th XI, captained by Pryank Patel, finished joint third in Division 11E, notching five wins out of their 14 fixtures, but were never really in the hunt for promotion.

Director of Cricket Phil Smith said there were lots of positives despite the 1st XI’s relegation.

He said: “It was overall in my view a really positive season for the club, despite the 1st XI’s relegation, which was a major disappointment, there’s no hiding it. But away from that, and around the rest of the club, there’s a lot to be cheerful about. We did manage to fulfill all our league fixtures, without any concessions, which is no mean feat. It’s only three seasons ago that we added a 4th XI so player numbers are quite good.

"We did some recruitment and got some good acquisitions across the season who have added some strength in depth. It’s really hard to add players at first-team level but elsewhere in the club I think there’s decent strength in depth, so things are looking good for 2024.

“The junior ranks continue to have a positive impact on adult weekend cricket, both Saturdays and Sundays, so that’s good.

“And the completion of the fantastic new practice nets gave everyone a big boost in the middle of the season.

“So there’s a lot to be cheerful about and I think Mill Hill Village Cricket Club continues to go from strength to strength.”

While the Saracens Herts Cricket League has finished, the club still has two friendlies to play, on September 16 at home against Royal Herts CC and away the following day at Finchley CC.