PLAYING TO THEIR STRENGTHS: A fine effort from Satyavrat Kottamasu Rao (right) and his fellow bowlers helped RJC win the A Div cricket final by seven wickets. -- ST PHOTO: ALBERT SIM

The last hurdle: defeat Raffles Junior College.

But yesterday at Fernvale Field, the final obstacle to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) capturing the A, B and C Division titles stood firm.

A steady Raffles team beat an erratic ACS (I) side by seven wickets to capture the A Div cricket title for the fourth year running.

'Nothing fancy,' said captain Anish Param of his team's strategy.

'We are more of a fielding and bowling side. We wanted to work to our strengths.'

Raffles certainly did that by allowing ACS (I) a dismal 12 runs in the first five overs. However, Man of the Series Adhair Menon went on a charge, scoring 49 runs before being dismissed.

ACS (I) finished with 114 runs in their allotted 25 overs. If they limited RJC to fewer runs, the grand slam would be theirs.

Twelve overs later, the dream was still on when Raffles led by only one run.

Then, Raffles started to drift ahead with singles and ACS (I) decided to take a gamble in the 14th over.

They placed their fielders in a tight attacking ring around the opposing batsmen, hoping to force them into risky high shots.

But Raffles kept their nerve and placed the ball skilfully between the fielders. The partnership of Anish and Prem Vashdev was devastating and victory was achieved in the 22nd over, when their score touched 115.

Anish did the most damage for his team, finishing on 46 not out.

This is the second time RJC have thwarted ACS' try for the A Div title; ACS first challenged for it last year, when their pioneer International Baccalaureate students reached maturity.

But, in the B and C Divisions, ACS have been largely unchallenged. The last team to overcome them: Raffles Institution.

The battle for Schools National cricket dominance has only just begun.