SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, CMC- Front runners Windward Islands were deprived of championship honours after they were eclipsed by Trinidad and Tobago as the West Indies Under-17 cricket championship reached a climax here yesterday.
Windward Islands, going into the fifth and final round of competition at the top of the table, suffered a narrow seven run loss to the homeside at Bon Accord in Tobago.
They were forced to settle for second place finishing on 19.5 points after being bowled out for 177 in 48.4 overs while hunting down T and T’s 184 all out in 46.4 overs.
The young Trinidadians, who never stood a chance of claiming title honours going into the final round, finished fifth with 12.5 points. They lost an opener in the sixth over with the score on 13 but their innings were brought back on course as a result of an 83 run partnership between Keagan Simmons and Brandon Maharaj who both scored 40.
However setback for Trinidad and Tobago ensued with the loss of two wickets when the score was 96. There were no more significant partnerships or individuals scores except 22 from Kirstan Kallicharan and an unbeaten 27 from Sachin Seecharan who rallied to the end.
All the other batsmen had single digits as Ryan John and Darel Cyrus finished with three wickets each to be the top wicket takers for the Windwards.
Windwards push for victory and top honours were powered by a fighting half century from John and a late cameo from Joshua Mann.
But the highlight of the top order was a 61 run stand for the second wicket between Anil Matthew and Emmanuel Stewart.
Matthew scored 34 and Stewart 20 as the Windward tried to build momentum before collapsing to 76 for five.
John hit a six and five fours in a top score of 52 to resurrect the chase, compiling 35 runs in the middle of the innings with Darel Dyrus who was run out on 17.
He also conspired with Joshua Mann in an enterprising 8th wicket stand that produced 52 crucial runs that narrowed the target.
Mann who struck a four and a six was unbeaten on 28.
Kirstan Kallicharan 3-32, Nathaniel Mc David 2-21 and Dejourn Charles 2-13 were the best bowlers for Trinidad and Tobago.
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