Big loss ends U15s title hopes

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's title hopes received a huge blow yesterday, when they lost by eight wickets to defending champions Trinidad and Tobago at Police Cricket Club, in the fourth and penultimate round of the West Indies Under-15 Championship.

In their worst batting display of the tournament, Jamaica, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were blown away for 129 off 45.4 overs.

The Trinidadians then coasted to 130 for two off 24.5 overs.

Off-spinner Nathaniel McDavid, who bowled mainly towards the back end of the innings, was the hero for Trinidad. He finished with four wickets for five runs off six overs, while opening pacer, all-rounder Cephas Cooper, ended with three for 40 off 9.4 overs.

THOMAS - LEADING SCORER

Opener Dorrell Thomas (19) was the leading scorer for the hosts, with Ricardo McIntosh, 17, being next best. Third-match centurions Dominik Samuels and Kirk McKenzie made 11 and eight, respectively, while captain Raewin Senior also made eight.

The Trinidadians, in response, were led to their target by captain Kirstan Kallicharan, who made an unbeaten 60, and second-round centurion Chrystian Thurton, 31.

"We just did not turn up today," lamented Jamaica's coach, Oral Simpson.

"Today was our poorest performance throughout the competition. We did not bat well, and it just transformed into our bowling and fielding, as well."

Trinidad and Tobago's coach, Glen Dwarika, said he was proud of his team's effort.

"We bowled well front up and that set the tone for the win," he said. "We will now turn our attention to our final match against Barbados, where a win could see us lifting the trophy."

At Melbourne Oval: Barbados beat the Leeward Islands by 72 runs.

SCORES: Barbados, 292 for six off 50 overs; Leewards, 220 for seven off 50.

At University of the West Indies: The Windward Islands beat Guyana by 66 runs.

SCORES: Windwards, 279 for six off 50 overs; Guyana, 213 for eight off 50 overs.