Middlesex in the Community was delighted to open the 2026 SMASH Softball season on Sunday 3rd May at Shepherd's Bush CC, where women from across the county took part in an afternoon of high‑energy, good‑spirited cricket.
Hosted at Shepherd's Bush's East Acton Lane ground, the festival brought together teams from Kew, Southgate, South Hampstead and the hosts for a series of pairs‑based matches designed to maximise involvement and enjoyment. As the day progressed, confidence grew across all teams — with players throwing themselves into batting, bowling and fielding with increasing assurance and enthusiasm.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming throughout, with visiting teams praising the spirit of the day. Kew spoke of the motivating camaraderie among all the women and said the festival had set them up superbly for the season. Southgate, who were crowned festival winners enjoyed the “great vibes” and the chance to meet new opposition. South Hampstead highlighted how supportive the environment felt and how enjoyable the format was for players at every stage of their cricketing journey.
Shepherds Bush said: “We loved hosting the first SMASH Festival of the season and seeing women of all ages and cricketing backgrounds come together, support one another and throw themselves into the game. Days like this remind us why we’re so passionate about growing women’s cricket at the Bush."
Middlesex Cricket extends sincere thanks to Shepherd's Bush for hosting the first festival of the season. The club’s volunteers were central to the day’s success — including the scorers and the all-women umpiring team.
After the final matches, players, officials and supporters headed into the clubhouse to enjoy a cricket tea. A spread of savoury bites, a cheese board and homemade cakes made it a delicious and sociable end to the day, with teams mixing, chatting and reliving their favourite moments together.
The success of this opening SMASH Festival reflects Middlesex Cricket’s ongoing commitment to supporting and expanding women’s cricket across the county. Softball festivals continue to play a vital role in bringing women together, building confidence and strengthening the pathway into the wider game.
If you want to get involved, please contact jds@middlesexccc. Let’s get more women playing and officiating the game!
