Under clear blue skies and a blazing sun, SAC and Thoiry played out a blistering encounter in the opening 35-over game of the John Hardy Shield, with SAC looking to retain the trophy for the third year in succession.
SAC won the toss and elected to field. Despite the heat, the SAC bowlers and fielders applied themselves with tremendous discipline, restricting the Thoiry run-rate by taking wickets at regular intervals, bowling with accuracy and fielding with intensity. At the end of the innings, Thoiry finished on 182-9 with Shaunak Khot the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets for 23 runs from his 7 overs.
Despite losing an early wicket in their reply, SAC were soon in charge of the game, posting an 89-run partnership for the second wicket, and racing to 94-2 after 12 overs and the first drinks interval. As the Thoiry bowlers and fielders wilted in the blazing heat, SAC took full advantage, racing to an 8-wicket victory with 11 overs to spare, with Jon Taylor unbeaten on 103 and Alex Cathrop 32 not out.
SAC will be looking to take this form into next week's second match and clinch the John Hardy Shield once again!
The result – an 8-wicket victory for Standard Athletic CC