PHILADELPHIA – The visiting Haverford College cricket team fought to a close decision against the Philadelphia Cricket Club but came up short, 107-106, against their hosts Saturday afternoon.

Haverford elected to bat first and set a run total of 106. Captains Neilay Shah and Danny Rothschild led the scoring with 44 and 13 runs each. After a strong start, the Haverford XI struggled to maintain momentum through the middle of their overs as a few wickets fell in quick succession.

After the break, Haverford took to the field aiming to hold PCC below the Fords' total. Shah and Rina Ntagozera opened the bowling attack, but PCC was able to get off to a quick start, scoring 50 runs by the 10th over. In order to win the match, Haverford would have to keep PCC to 56 runs over the next 15 overs, which would require the Fords to maintain a run rate of 3.8 or less per over.

Haverford was able to tighten the screws and clamp down on defense, holding PCC to 50 runs over the next 10. Michael Jordan, making his bowling debut, supported the effort and Nick Trickett and Shah each bowled a series of neat overs, taking two wickets apiece and managing to maintain bowling economies of 6.25 and 3.38, respectively.

Unfortunately, Haverford's thrift was not enough to prevent PCC from scoring their 107th run in the end of the 19th over. After a hard fought match, PCC won over Haverford with seven wickets to spare.