IN sweltering heat at the historic GCC ground, Bourda, the touring EXCEL Sporting Academy U-14 team from South Trinidad defeated the GCC U14s by six wickets in a thrilling last-ball victory yesterday.
On a pitch being used for the first time since it was resurfaced for the T20 World Cup preparations, GCC batted first and were all out for 93 in 26 overs as Ravindra Singh (25) and Trilok Nanan (22) were the only batters to reach double figures on a track with encouraging ‘carry’ and a very heavy outfield, due to recent rain in the city.

Medium pacer Isa Ramkissoon who captured four of the first six wickets, finished with 4-12 and received good support from Bradely Jaimangol (2-6) and Nathan Ramdial (2-5).
The visitors were spearheaded to victory by a useful 35 with a single boundary for Lucus O’Rosco, who was dismissed by Nanan at 64-3.
Despite Nanan (2-16) striking another blow with 34 needed for victory, Analade Permichal, who ended unbeaten on 16 and Man-of-the-Match Ramkissoon on 10 not out, joined forces in a match- winning unbroken fifth-wicket stand to see their team home to the delight of the cheering Trini supporters who outnumbered the GCC fans.

With seven to win in six balls, the nerve-wracking job of bowling the crucial last over was given to medium pacer Yusuf Hack, who started with a wide.
A few good deliveries left two to win off the last ball and a big drive by Ramkissoon peeled off the edge over the head of short third man as the batters scampered a couple.
Earlier, GCC were off to an inauspicious start when the talented left-hander Shaeed Ramzan got a ball which made a bit of height from Luke Mohammed and the umpire felt it had brushed the edge without a run on the board.
Nanan, looking well organised and Shane Shivbarran (4), added 41 for the second wicket before Ramkissoon removed Shivbarran to trigger a collapse in which the GCC side lost their next four wickets for seven runs.
Ravindra Singh wasted his start when he was dismissed for 25 as the bowlers from Carnival Country ran through the lower order.

Five batters made ducks, including Shiad Ali who pushed forward to a ball pitched on middle stump from 13-year Matthais Ramdhan (the twin of the ‘keeper’) and had his off-stump knocked back.
Meanwhile, the U18s from the same T&T Academy lost their match at Everest against a Georgetown X1.

The city side made 256-7 in 40 overs with national U19 player Myhiem Khan (47) Kevin Benn (43), Jadon Cambelle (33) and Shamar Apple (27) being the main scorers.
Ricardo Chowbay took 3-15 for the Trinidadians, who were dismissed for 107 in 27 overs.
Five bowlers took two wickets each for the home team; the visitors depart for home tomorrow.