Jermaine Lannaman, STAR Writer

National Under-17 coach Cleon Smith said a lack of experience and adequate preparation were the main reasons why the team was unable to defend their crown during the just-concluded second annual West Indies Cricket Board Championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica, who won the tournament at the same venue last year, finished a disappointing fifth in the six-team competition following a two-win and three-loss record.

The hosts eventually came out on top with Barbados finishing second and the Windward Islands third.

"It came down to two things. Lack of experience within the set, and a general lack of adequate preparation," said Smith, who along with other members of the team returned home yesterday.

"Not one of the players was a part of the under-17 team which won the tournament last year, while only three had Under-15 experience.

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"Preparation was not like it ought to be, as we only had four weekends to prepare them due to examinations and it showed, especially as it relates to our fielding.

"We averaged about 20 extras in each game and in one match we dropped about seven catches," he explained.

Jamaica, after losing their first match against Barbados, rebounded to post wins over favourites Trinidad and the Leeward Islands in the second and third games.

However, with the team needing to win their remaining two matches to seriously challenge for the title, they faltered against Guyana and the Windward Islands.

"Barbados were a quality team with eight players returning from their Under-17 squad last year, and they caught us in our opening match," said Smith.

"But we regrouped well to post wins in our second and third matches, especially in the Trinidad match which we won by two wickets with a ball to spare.

"However, we just could not get it right in our final two games, and it cost us in the end."