Outgoing Mill Hill Village Cricket Club President Richard Downes marked the opening of new practice nets with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, August 27.

Downes, standing alongside the club's Director of Cricket Phil Smith (both seen above), cut the ribbon as part of President’s Day in front of a sizable crowd. It was one of Downes' last acts as club president - he relinquishes the post after four successful years in the role.

Watch video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Downes thanked Smith for his efforts in getting the club's nets project off the ground and complete. “Well done to Smudger [Smith]," he said. "This was his project, he organised all the funds. We’ve now got the opportunity to coach people properly and then hopefully the first team won’t bat like they did yesterday [when the club lost to Bayford & Hertford CC 1st XI]!”

Visit our President's Day 2023 picture gallery

Also on the day, a President's Select XI vs a Mill Hill Village Club XI took place on the front pitch while an inter-club game dominated by our juniors was on the back pitch. A nets session for juniors also took place. Guests also enjoyed a lunch, put on by the club, as well as drinks, courtesy of the president.

Downes told millhillvillagecricketclub.co.uk: "It's been another great President's Day. Thanks to everyone for turning up and the usual suspects who helped out."

Mill Hill Village Sports Club thanks all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the day a great success.