In this paper a series of numerical simulations of field reversal in the reversed field pinch is in the simulations described using an incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model and a reference set of plasma conditions. Field reversal and maintenance are observed, but require values of the pinch parameter &thgr; larger than in experiment. This discrepancy is shown to arise largely from the unrealistic resistivity profile in the reference conditions and may not be fundamental. Qualitative agreement with experiment is demonstrated in several areas. The view that field reversal occurs because of a simple MHD dynamo is therefore given support.