T&T schoolboys fell to Kent by one wicket in a keenly contested match at the Festival of Kings College tournament at Taunton, Somerset on Tuesday.
It was the second match of the tournament for the T&T boys after they drew with Norfolk in their opening match on Monday.
Against Kent, T&T made 140 all out after a good start of 73 for two. Kent, however, struck back and reduced to T&T team to 83 for seven, including the wicket of the consistent Romario King for 45.
T&T was expected to fold quickly but Liam Mamchan and Jonathan Ramnarace added 55 runs for the eight-wicket, as they ended on 143 all out.
Young pacer Mamchan scored 36, while Ramnarace got six. Spinner Archie Richardson was the pick of the bowlers with 4/19, while Aarush Wangoo nabbed 3/30 and Ruden Coleman 3/28.
When Kent replied with they were put under the gun early on by national youth players Orlando James and Mamchan, as the host slipped to 15/2. However, Harry Roberts 33 and Finlay Myers 21 restored the team's chase. Luke Beaumont and Charlie Lockhart continued the good work until Mamchan uprooted Beaumont's stumps to trigger a slide. James then removed Lockhart and the game was wide open. However, their efforts, in the end, proved futile as they scraped home at 143 for nine.
Bowler Mamchan ended with 2/22, while James ended with 2/30.
In-game one on Monday, Norfolk batted first and made 253 for nine wickets with James creating many problems for the batsmen. Leading the way was Charlie Hood who made 77 including five fours and a six in one over from national under-17 spinner Vasant Singh. Also getting runs at the top were Ethan Metcalf 62 and Theo Cooper 41. James kept a nice tidy line that worked well for him, as he finished with 5/47 to be the best of the bowlers.
When T&T responded King was the best batsman on show, as he led the way with a composed 72 opening the batting. He played several eye-catching drives that were very pleasing to watch. Skipper Nicklye Jalim also batted well to score 29 and together with Jonathan Ramnarace ensured the draw at 190/8.
KING’S FESTIVAL SCORES
MATCH ONE
Norfolk 253/9 (Charlie Hood 77, Ethan Metcalf
62, Theo Cooper 41, Orlando James 5/47) vs T&T 190/8 (Romario King 77, Nickyle Jalim 29) - Match drawn.
MATCH TWO
T&T 140 all out (Romario King 45, Liam Mamchan
36, Archie Richardson 4/19, Aarush Wangoo 3/30, Ruden Coleman 3/28) vs Kent 143/9 (Harry Roberts 33, Finlay Myers 21, Liam Mamchan 2/22, O James 2/30) - Kent won by one wicket.