Tight bowling and fielding helped Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) win the Schools National cricket C Division final yesterday, when they beat Raffles Institution by 15 runs.
After being restricted to 92-8 in 20 overs at the Indian Association ground, they fought back to keep RI down to 77-9 in 20 overs.
ACS(I) completed a sweep of this year's Schools National cricket titles with that win, as earlier in the season they had beaten RI in the A Division final and Victoria School in the B Division final.
"We didn't put up a good total, but bowled and fielded very well," said ACS(I)'s captain Sai Harsha Venugopal, 13.
"In the last 10 overs, we did our best to contain the RI batsmen who were going for their shots."
The key to ACS(I)'s win was the bowling of off-spinner Arnaav Chabria, who took 3-14 under pressure. Their fielders also effected four run outs.
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3
Number of cricket division championships Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) has captured this year.
RI lost their way after their openers, who had put on 36 runs in 7.5 overs, were separated by a run out.
"Most of our key batsmen threw away their wickets," said RI captain Vedant Chincholkar, 14. "We were pushing for runs and lost wickets through run outs. Our calling was a bit off. It was not our day."
For RI, Aryan Badhe scored 15 and Avinash Elangovan 13.
Earlier, ACS(I), who were put in to bat after losing the toss, only managed 92-8, with Vinit Mehta making 28 and Atharva Gune 16.
RI's Raoul Sharma claimed 2-7 and Vedant Ravikiran 2-18.
For ACS(I) coach Sarika Prasad, the treble was his best achievement since he began to coach the school's cricketers in 1997.
"It beats my boys winning the A Division title for the first time in 2011," the 57-year-old said.
"This year was most satisfying because all my three teams did not lose a single match."
ACS(I) began playing in the A Division in 2007.
Cricket contributed to a fourth sweep for the school this year. They also won all three titles in swimming, tennis and rugby.
Said Mohamad Shariff, the school's cricket teacher-in-charge: "This year has been great for our cricket teams as we completed the grand slam. All our boys played very well. We are proud of their achievements."
Victoria School beat St Patrick's by 98 runs to take third place.
