BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Defiant batting by Trinidad and Tobago's last pair of Vishan Ramroop and Jervon Charles denied Jamaica an outright win on the final day of the opening round match in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge at Cayon in St. Kitts yesterday.

The pair came together with their team in dire straits on 219 for nine in pursuit of 315 for victory, and survived the last 13 deliveries to halt a deserved victory for the well oiled and disciplined Jamaican team.

On the final day of an intriguing contest, Trinidad, set the daunting task of scoring 315 from 61 overs for an unlikely win, were 221 for nine at the end of the 15 mandatory overs.

Right-arm leg-spinner Nkruma Bonner was the star of the Jamaican victory effort, ending with figures of seven for 80, to end with a match-haul of 11 for 129.

Resuming at their overnight 46 without loss, Jamaica consolidated their position mainly through half-centuries from openers Horace Miller (81) and Christie Jones (51 not out).

The pair added 141 in 137 minutes for the first wicket before they were separated, when Miller was caught at backward point by Azarudin Mohammed off medium-pacer Kavon Cooper for a well played 81. He faced 80 balls and struck nine fours and one six.

Jones registered his 50 just before the lunch interval, when the declaration was made at 169 for one. His innings spanned 167 minutes, 101 balls and contained one four. Robert Weir was not out on 20.

In their victory chase, skipper Adrian Barath (75) and Milton Dookeran posted 53 for the first wicket before Dookeran (14) was caught by Shacoya Thomas off Bonner's bowling.

Darren Bravo, who slammed 60, joined Barath and the duo took command of the Jamaican bowling attack giving Trinidad a glimmer of hope.

But just when it seemed the match was heading for a grand finish, Barath was dismissed on the stroke of tea, bowled by Bonner around his legs after batting for 118 minutes and 79 balls, and striking 13 fours and one six.

At the interval, Trinidad were 140 for two and still with a chance, but Bravo, attempting to accelerate, was caught in the deep by Miller off Bonner essaying a big hit. He faced 65 balls and counted six fours and three sixes.

Bonner then triggered a middle and lower-order slump, but Ramroop and Charles held on to salvage a draw.