North went under by 36 runs to East in their opening match of the TTCB U15 Youth Tournament at Brian Lara Recreation Ground, Santa Cruz.
North bowlers Zahir Khan, Austin Lukur, and Josiah Nicholls had two wickets apiece to bowl out East for 132 in 41.1 overs, despite 21 from Z. Daniel.
However, North failed to build significant partnerships in an error-strewn run chase, falling for 96 in 34.4 overs.
Davis Guerra was North’s top-scorer with 13, while Tyler Ramroop and Z Daniel shared seven wickets for East in a 36-run win.
North skipper Mikaeel Ali won the toss and inserted the East U15 team, a decision that looked correct when J. Mootoo (1) departed early to opening bowler Khan at 8 for 1.
However, the home team’s bowlers struggled to make regular inroads after that with East producing three valuable partnerships yielding 64 runs in 153 balls.
First, Justin Pamphille (11) and Ramroop added 25 off 51 balls before both were dismissed within the space of five deliveries to leave East at 33 for 3.
Nathan Sagar (18) and B Harricharan then put on a further 29 off 59 balls for the fourth wicket, before the latter and Z Daniel added a quick-fire 35 off 38 balls.
Needing inspiration badly, North found it when Shaheem Khan ran out Harricharan for 19 to inspire a slide.
Nicholls put his hands up, first trapping Daniel in front for 21 and then luring J Rechais to his doom, stumped by Ruel Goberdhan for 2.
Guerra then accepted a return catch from S. Bachu (7) before N Dougdeen departed stumped for 1 off Lukur’s bowling with East looking vulnerable at 117 for 9.
However, the last pair of N. Castillo (12*) and R. Giroux (3) frustrated the North attack, occupying the crease for another 6.3 overs.
While the last partnership yielded only 15 runs, it took East to 132 off 41.4 overs and put momentum on the side of the visitors.
For the home team, Khan picked up 2 for 15 off 5.0 overs, while Nicholls had 2 for 24 and Lukur 2 for 31.
East would carry that momentum into their bowling effort with skipper Ramroop cleaving through the North top order to leave the home team in disarray at 32 for 3.
The pressure would not relent with Sagar claiming the wicket of Aadam Panchu (10) before Daniel made his presence felt with the ball in hand.
He removed vice-captain Kaiden Pollard (12) before taking down Ethan John (7) to trigger a slide that consumed the last four North wickets.
Harricharan dismissed Guerra for a top score of 13 before Daniel took his third wicket, bowling Lukur for a duck.
Ramroop returned to remove Khan (5) before Bachu wrapped up the victory with the wicket of Goberdan LBW without scoring.
Shaheem Khan was left not out on 10 as North fell 36 runs short. of their target.
In other Round 1 matches, North East beat Tobago by 132 runs with T. Richards slamming 107 off 86 balls and D. Chaitram taking 4 for 11 at Shaw Park.
At the NMO Cricket Ground, Arion Mohammed claimed 5 for 14 and Aaden Owen 3 for 11 as South romped to an eight-wicket win over South West.
Finally, South East fell to a nine-run loss to Central despite Zane Maraj scoring 79 and taking 2 for 28.
Zakariyya Mohammed hit 63 not out for Central, while K. Hill Thomas took 5 for 14 in a thrilling first-round encounter.
The TTCB U15 Youth Tournament resumes in two weeks with Round 2 on 7 February.
2024 TTCB U15 Youth Tournament
Round 1
North East beat Tobago by 132 runs
East beat North by 36 runs
Central beat South East by 9 runs
South beat South West by 8 wickets
Round 2 – 7 February
East vs Tobago
North vs North East
Central vs South West
South vs South East
Round 3 – 9 February
North East vs East
Tobago vs North
South vs Central
South East vs South West
Semifinals – 16 February
Winner A vs Runner-up B
Winner B vs Runner-up A
Final – 23 February
