NICHOLAS POORAN labelled Trinbago Knight Riders’ season “very poor” after they suffered their third straight defeat, going down by eight runs to Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in their final Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League match at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday night.The defeat left TKR with four losses from their five matches at home and placed their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy, with their captain admitting the four wickets lost in the Powerplay had ultimately proved decisive.“One hundred and eighty three is obviously a good score here, and we knew the dew was going to come, but losing four wickets in the Powerplay is unacceptable,” Pooran said. “That’s where I feel we lost the game, especially with myself getting out in the sixth over.”Pooran was particularly critical of TKR’s early body language after the Falcons had made a brisk start.“That start was unacceptable for us. It looked like we just gave up and allowed the game to slip away, and as a group, you can’t play cricket like that,” he said. “If your body language is down and you’re not up for a fight, then it makes no sense to play.”Falcons posted 183 for four after Hasan Nawaz struck 76 from 36 balls to provide the backbone of their innings.Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall gave the visitors a solid start, putting on 40 before Cornwall chopped on to Usman Tariq, extending the spinner’s run of taking a wicket in 17 consecutive CPL matches.TKR then missed two opportunities to remove danger men, with Terrance Hinds dropping Lewis on 16 before Moeen Ali was reprieved on one by Akeal Hosein.Nawaz capitalised, reaching his half-century from 36 balls as Moeen provided support. Nawaz eventually fell to Lahiru Kumara, caught by Alex Hales, but the Falcons finished strongly, reaching 183 for four when their captain struck a boundary off the final ball.TKR’s chase was effectively derailed in the opening six overs, despite scoring 63. Colin Munro and Pooran both made starts but fell to Cornwall, who produced an outstanding spell of three for 17.“The other teams have really good players who will hurt you,” Pooran said. “The senior players stepped up, everyone accepted that we were poor in the field, and we knew it was time to pull up our socks.”Pooran said 184 remained a manageable target, but TKR once again failed to execute.“It was a chaseable total for us, but this is just the type of tournament we’ve had,” he said.Kieron Pollard revived TKR’s hopes with Joshua Da Silva, the pair adding 55 before Pollard, battling calf and side injuries, was caught by Jayden Seales off Joshua James.Pooran hailed Pollard’s effort despite the defeat.“What he did tonight showed why he’s probably the greatest T20 batter in the world,” he said. “Playing through a damaged calf and a side strain while still giving everybody hope says a lot about his character.”Da Silva completed his half-century from the final ball of the innings, hitting a six to finish unbeaten on 54, but TKR closed on 175 for eight, eight runs short.James and Shamar Springer had earlier ensured the Falcons had enough breathing space heading into the final over, with Tobagonian James claiming the crucial wicket of Pollard and finishing the innings strongly.Pooran admitted TKR had been below standard throughout the campaign.“We were far from our best in this competition, and that’s something we have to accept,” he said. “Our seam bowling department and spinners weren’t able to take wickets for us, and we couldn’t take care of business here at the Oval.”He also pointed to the wet outfield but refused to use conditions as an excuse.“The wet outfield didn’t favour us either, but no excuses. We just weren’t good enough this year.”Despite the disappointment, Pooran said TKR’s supporters remained a source of pride and insisted the franchise’s previous success should not be forgotten.“One bad season doesn’t make us a bad team. We’ve won five championships, giving this franchise plenty to smile about over five brilliant years,” he said.“And I just want to thank the fans from the bottom of our hearts. We know how it feels to be disappointed, but thank you so much for standing by us.”Summarised scores:ANTIGUA & BARBUDA FALCONS 183-4, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 76, Moeen Ali 32 n.o., Evin Lewis 24, Rahkeem Cornwall 20).vs TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS 175-7, 20 overs (Joshua Da Silva 54 n.o., Kieron Pollard 41, Nicholas Pooran 22, Colin Munro 18, Justin Greaves 18; Rahkeem Cornwall 3/17, Joshua James 2/40).—Falcons won by eight runs.