A resurgent North Zone Under-13 produced a spirited performance against South East, closing within a game of making it to the TTCB Under-13 Reserve League final.
In one of the most exciting matches of the series, the North Under-13 side chased down 199 to defeat South East Under-13 by two wickets with four balls remaining in a tense encounter.
Batting first after North opted to bowl, South East posted 198 for 9 from their 40 overs.
Rashede Narinesingh and Saeed Ali both scored 25, while Rahul Ramnarine added 23.
North’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly.
Jayvon Gunning and Jayden Simon both claimed three wickets, while Kyle Jadoo chipped in with one scalp.
The chase was anchored by Ethan Alexander, who top-scored with 30 from 44 balls.
Nathan Honore occupied the crease with a patient 16 from 77 deliveries before Mathai provided a valuable late contribution of 14 from 20 balls to steer North home at 202 for 8 in 39.2 overs.
South East’s Sachin Ramdass tried to halt the chase with two wickets, while Rahul Ramnarine also grabbed two wickets, but North held their nerve in the closing stages.
Earlier, the North Zone Under-13 Reserve team started the tournament with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Central Zone Under-13 Reserve at the Brian Lara Ground in Santa Cruz.
After winning the toss and bowling first, North restricted Central Zone to 72 for 10 in 19.2 overs.
Kyle Jadoo starred with the ball, taking 4 for 20, while Khylon Patrick supported well with 3 for 9. Jayden Simon added two wickets to complete an excellent bowling display.
Aidan Maharaj top-scored for Central with 14, while Shiva Dhanraj made 10.
North then cruised to 73 for 3 in just 12.4 overs.
Ethan Hernandez led the chase with 22, Kyle Ali contributed 16, and Ethan Alexander added two runs as North secured victory with ease.
However, North Under-13 Reserve suffered a setback in their second game against South West Under-13 Reserve 2026 at Inshan Ali Park in Preysal
South West compiled 174 for 6 from 33 overs behind a patient 38 from Tyrese Noel and 14 from Jaryc Ramsumair.
North’s bowling effort was led by Kyle Jadoo and Khylon Patrick, who both took two wickets.
In reply, North were dismissed for 116 in 33 overs despite fighting knocks from Jayden Simon, who scored 23, Jayvon Gunning with 10, and Kyle Ali with 10.
Cody Maharaj proved decisive for South West with figures of 3 for 13 as his team completed a 58-run victory.
With their subsequent victory against South East, North is now poised to break into the final.
Their final hurdle is on Wednesday when they face South at the National Cricket Center in Balmain, Couva.
North has 10.8 points from their three matches and will have to beat South (10.1) to clinch a final berth.
South West with 19.9 points, stands to make it to the final.
The first ball on Wednesday between North and South is at 10am.
