Mill Hill Village 1st XI beat Luton Town & Indians 2nd XI by 66 runs on Saturday afternoon to move 10 points clear of North Mymms 2nd XI at the top of Division 5A.

In a recent interview, captain Devraj Ray had praised his side’s efforts in the first half of the season but urged his batters to find form. Clearly his teammates were listening as Marcus Cara (65) and Will Wyatt (71 not out) put on a 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket before all-rounder Wyatt found support in the lower order from Tommy Smith (17) and Obaid Ur Rehman (14) to take the team to 219-8 off their 50 overs. Earlier, opener Sumit Jadav was forced to retire hurt after pulling a hamstring.

Sam Smith then ripped through the Luton Town & Indians batting lineup, registering season-best figures of 6-38 off 7.5 overs, the ace pacer's second five-wicket haul of 2024. He has now taken 24 wickets at an average of 8.38. View the full match scorecard here.

The Village 1s play away at fifth-placed Bentley Heath 1st XI on Saturday, July 27.