Kingsmen comeback cut short at Sabina

The Jamaica Kingsmen fell just short in their bid to pull off a dramatic comeback, slipping to a five-run defeat against the Barbados Tridents in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) action at Sabina Park tonight.

Set a daunting target of 207, the Kingsmen recovered from a disastrous start that left them reeling at 12-3 after the first two overs before finishing on 201-9.

Captain Rovman Powell helped steady the innings with 38 from 24 deliveries and shared a 50-run partnership with Keacy Carty, who made 45 off 27 balls.

With Jamaica seemingly headed for defeat, Andre Russell launched a spirited counterattack, smashing 68 from 38 deliveries. He received support from rising teenage starlet Vitel Lawes, who scored 32.

However, the Kingsmen's comeback effort unravelled in the final three deliveries. Russell was caught by Chris Green, while Lawes was run out in unfortunate fashion.

Daniel Sams starred for the Tridents with 4-20 from his four overs, while Green finished with 2-27.

The defeat was the Kingsmen's second consecutive final-over loss, having gone down by one run to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in their opening match last Friday.

Earlier, Jamaican export Brandon King led the way for the Tridents with 73 from 51 balls, including five fours and four sixes. He was eventually caught and bowled by Andre Russell in the final over as the visitors posted 206-3.

The pressure intensified late in the innings as Sherfane Rutherford blasted an unbeaten half-century from just 28 balls, while South African Quinton de Kock added 42 to maintain the scoring momentum.

Hassan Khan was the pick of the Kingsmen bowlers, taking 1-19 from three overs.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com