Touring Captain Henry Colburn once again led the cricketers around the county of Kent on their annual tour, a party of nine would be hard pressed to improve on 2024's Les Invincibles ( two wins and a draw) which was the case with SAC being unable to bat out the final 6 overs to secure the draw in Saturday's first game against Shepway Stragglers. SAC losing by 69 runs. The Saturday evening curry post mortem concluded in the section secretary giving a Rioja and Gin-fuelled Churchillian call to arms and no surrender for Sunday against a Band of Brothers side we had only previously ever drawn against, but at least we were ten players for the batting innings.
Things didn't get any better when we lost a quick two wickets at the top of the innings having been inserted, the Gin soaked one hung around supporting Nissseem with the innings re building, Henry in the meantime had collected an ex Indian Ranji Trophy player, who proceeded later in the innings to add 184 of the total 264.
Innings closed and SAC were back to 9 in the field as our guest probably had other bowling attacks to dismantle, but the SAC 9 fielded and bowled out of their skins to win by 71 runs, with Rachit being pick of the bowlers with 5-59.
Monday saw our game at Chestfield against a steadily improving Chestfield development side. SAC won by 3 wickets, having bowled Chestfield out for 118 and making hard work of chasing that total down.
As always, the tour was successful, and a big thank you to Henry for organising yet again. Hopefully, we will have a full squad travelling next year. Scorecards are here, Standard Athletic Club CC.