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Barbados suffered yet another defeat in the 2002 Regional Under-15 Cricket Competition as Trinidad and Tobago romped to the title for the third successive year yesterday.

Following defeats to Guyana and Leeward Islands, Barbados lost to the hosts by 31 runs at the Diego Martin Recreational Ground after they were set a target of 172.

It was the fourth straight win for Trinidad and Tobago who moved to an unbeatable 16 points ahead of tomorrow's final round of matches.

Barbados, desperately looking for a much-needed victory to restore some of their lost pride, won the toss and asked the Trinidadians to take first knock on a good pitch.

Before a sizeable and vociferous home crowd, the Trinidadians got off to a good start as Barbados' decision to send them in appeared to have backfired.

Openers William Perkins and Deon Bennette were associated in a stand of 46 and were not troubled by the pace attack of Nhamo Winn and Javon Searles.

But, as has been so often the case in this tournament, the introduction of spinners spelt immediate success for Barbados.

Off-spinner Gary Belle, a model of consistency throughout the tournament, had immediate success, removing both openers in quick succession.

Soon after, captain Nicholas Squires called on another off-spinner, Simon Steel, and he too struck immediately.

He removed the dangerous Trinidad and Tobago captain Jason Mohammed for 27 and the hosts collapsed from a healthy position of 95 for two to 171 all out.

Steel, a thinking player, sliced through the lower part of the batting to finish with four for 17 off nine productive overs.

Both Belle and Omar Phillips lent admirable support, taking two for 17 and 16, respectively.

Barbados got off to an ideal start, with captain Squires and Steel delighting the crowd, which included some Barbadian supporters, to some sweet strokes on both sides of the wicket.

They were untroubled by the opening attack of pacer Dilip Basdeo and off-spinner Rakeesh Ramkisson, posting 52 for the first wicket.

The partnership was broken when Steel was deceived by left-arm spinner Ravesh Kantasingh and was caught and bowled for 21.

Squires quickly followed for 30 and then Kerwin Elias completely misread a Kantasingh top-spinner and was bowled without scoring.

At 58 for three, Barbados again found themselves in trouble, but were temporarily revived by an enterprising fourth-wicket partnership of 46 between the in-form left-handed pair of Omar Phillips, who made 33 and Orman Kellman, 21.

When Kellman was fourth out, lbw to another off-spinner Ansil Bhaggan, wickets fell regularly around Phillips.

When Phillips was eighth out, the writing was on the wall.

Kantasingh finished with five for 18 and Bhaggan four for 15.

Barbados will play Windward islands in their final match tomorrow.

© The Barbados Nation