HAVERFORD, Pa. - Haverford Cricket capped off its spring slate and Philadelphia International Cricket Festival stint with a fiery match against the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) from the United Kingdom.  Having last faced off against RAC in 2019, Haverford hoped to continue the winning ways of their previous matchup, as well as the winning ways of 1812 and 1776.  Sent to field first, Haverford would restrict RAC to a manageable total before making quick work of the chase. 

Junior Eugene Yang and First year Ishpuneet Singh did their usual handiwork at the top of the innings.  The pair picked up a wicket a piece in the powerplay, with Yang once again beating the batter with his swing while Singh induced a well struck ball.  This was safely caught by Deep Patel who was fielding, appropriately, in the deep.  The pair managed to restrict RAC to 31-2 through the powerplay.  

Haverford struggled to find wickets for the remainder of the innings, with Mohanish Bajaj being the only one to make a breakthrough.  This came in the tenth over when Bajaj found the edge of the bat, sending the ball high into the air before it landed in Rebecca Stern's waiting hands. Despite RAC's no. 4 batsman making his 40, as well as the drought of wickets in the second half of the innings, the strong opening performance meant Haverford was at a manageable total of 133.  

Needing 134 to win, Senior Captain Samuel Monks capped off his collegiate cricket career in style.  Monks would make quick work of the total, guiding the 'Fords to a comfortable 8 wicket victory in the best batting performance of his career.  Opening the batting as usual, Monks helped Haverford get off to a flying start.  

Scoring quick singles, while launching the errant ball for a boundary, Haverford's opening pair scored at 10 an over through the powerplay.  Further, Monks showed that "Senior" was just a class, running a few 3s, and even a 'manual' 4 with his lengthy stride.  

While his partner would depart in the 8th over, followed by the usually reliable Sidd Phatak two overs later, Monks proved unbothered.  He opened his long levers, finding the boundary for a career best thrice.  He was helped at the other end by Bajaj.  Bajaj, who had been struggling to find form recently, received advice from former English world cup winner Liam Plunket the previous evening, and would put this to good work in an efficient innings of 27, not out.  

While Bajaj would eventually hit the winning runs, this did not overshadow Monks' contribution, top scoring with 32 off 42.  In what was truly a captain's knock, Monks walked off the pitch proud to have brought his team one final victory. 

Haverford Cricket will miss Monks' reliable opening batting as well as his irreplicable Smalinga™ deliveries.  More than that, Monks' cheerful and calming presence and direction as captain in the field leaves rising Captain Rebecca Stern big shoes to fill. Haverford Cricket thanks Monks for the maturity, sensitivity, and skill with which he captained the team both on and off the field for the past two years.