KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — Ryan Hinds has dismissed suggestions that his Barbados side have become chokers.

This followed their historic tie with Leeward Islands that condemned the two sides to share the WICB Regional One-day title, following the Grand Final of this year’s competition on Sunday at Sabina Park.

“At the end of the day, it is cricket that we are playing,” said a teary-eyed Hinds in a post-match interview. “I won’t say that the guys went about the cricket carelessly.

“What I will say is that we were put under pressure. We lost early wickets, and you know how that can go in a final.”

Tino Best failed to beat wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton’s direct hit at the bowler’s end, as Barbados, chasing 140 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, narrowly failed to limp over the threshold, with an incredible 72 balls remaining in the match.

It has been a tough year for Barbados — and regional cricket titles. They finished behind Jamaica in the WICB Regional first-class championship earlier in the year, and were runners-up to Guyana in the Caribbean Twenty20 Cup last July, which have led to suggestions of Hinds and his side being chokers.

“Obviously, our guys are a bit gutted that we are sharing the title,” said Hinds.

“We put ourselves in a position to win this game, as I thought that we bowled really well as a team.”

“We fielded excellently throughout the tournament, but I thought that we lost wickets at some crucial stages, and some very unfortunate run outs.”

Hinds praised his side for playing unbeaten throughout the tournament, and effectively gave Barbados their sixth regional One-day title.

“We tried, and we are very tired,” he said. “We worked really hard throughout the tournament, and I’m very happy that we were still able to share the title.

“We need to be more assertive, but I’m very happy with the unit that the selectors came up with in this tournament.”