Jamaican Association trounced St. David?s to narrow the gap on Commercial Cricket League leaders Forties who were caught up in controversy over burly Cup Match all-rounder Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock in their match against North Village.

Leverock, left in limbo after a bungled club transfer at the start of the season, turned up to play for Village in Sunday?s key match at Southampton Oval but Forties objected, rightly saying Village needed permission from the Commercial League first to include the spinner in their team.

Forties agreed to play under protest if Leverock took part but in the face of arguments over existing Commercial League rules for current Cup Match and County Cup players he chose to sit out the match, watching for a while before leaving the ground.

In the event, rain intervened and the game was eventually abandoned as a draw with each team taking five points.

Leverock, released by Western Stars, hoped to join rival Premier Division club Southampton Rangers but Rangers failed to pay the $100 transfer fee to acquire his services before the March 31 deadline and the Bermuda Cricket Board stuck to their guns and disallowed his intended move.

Leverock has appealed that decision and he said on Tuesday that he did not ?want to play for anybody? until he heard the outcome of his appeal.

On Monday North Village sought ? and obtained ? permission from the Commercial League executive for 33-year-old Leverock to play for them and if he changes his mind he is free to turn out for Village against Jamaican Association at Sea Breeze Oval on Sunday.

Leverock recently expressed fears that without a club this season his eligibility for international and Cup Match selection would be in jeopardy.

Village are keen to use his services to beef up their challenge for their first trophy since they shared the league title with Forties in 1992.

?He just wants to play some cricket and keep in shape,? Village spokesman Wendell Lindsay said earlier in the week.

Commercial League secretary/treasurer Dave Carruthers said last night: ?It?s never been our intention to stop anyone playing in our league. We are always keen to improve our standards.?

But Carruthers agreed the league needed to amend the current rules at next season?s annual meeting to avoid further confusion.

Two seasons ago Village were on the receiving end of a brutal assault when Cup Match player Lionel Cann, not fully fit and nursing a knee injury, turned out for St. David?s Commercial side and smashed the league batting record with an explosive knock of 165 inside 24 overs, erasing John McConnie?s 1989 record of 149 not out.

Only 16 overs were possible in Sunday?s match at the Oval, Forties struggling to 29 for two after being sent in on a soft pitch of variable bounce before both teams settled for a draw following a lengthy third interruption for rain.

Reggie Benjamin exploited the seaming conditions to snap up two for 17, removing Gerald Bean for 13 and Johnny Simoes for two, each team taking five points. Benjamin?s opening partner Clark Darrell conceded only 10 runs in eight overs.

Lloyd Morrison was man of the match as Jamaican Association overcame the drizzle at Sea Breeze Oval to beat St. David?s by seven wickets and move to within five points of table-topping Forties with a match in hand.

Morrison snapped up three for 10 as the East Enders were dismissed for 113 and then struck five fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 65 as the Jamaicans reached their victory target in only 28 overs.

Jahson Smith (22) and Ritchie Foggo, Jr. (21) were the only batsmen to offer any real resistance to the Jamaican Association attack, Kenny Wallen, Ralston Wright and Rowan Ramotar picking up two wickets apiece.

Skipper Maclaren Lowe was St. David?s best bowler, claiming all three wickets at a cost of 28 runs from 14 overs.

?We looked good. We batted well and took our catches. I was very impressed with my boys,? said Jamaican Association manager Glenmore Barrett.

But the Jamaicans have suffered an early-season setback, losing left-handed opening batsman Chris Daley, who has returned to BCB Premier side Devonshire Recreation Club after just two matches, including the new season-opening Players? Memorial Trophy won by Forties.

Barrett was unclear why Daley had left but admitted: ?It?s messed me up and disrupted my programme.?

Sunday?s other scheduled match, set for Wellington Oval, was called off after Fine Leg Byes failed to raise a side, defaulting and handing the 10 points to Devonshire Stars.

?We could only get six players but I?ve already got more players committed for this Sunday?s match (against St. David?s),? team spokesman Angus Lynn said yesterday.

Clubs defaulting two matches face the risk of automatic expulsion from the league.