The Jamaican Association are making a habit of turning the league form book upside down in Commercial Cricket's showpiece 40-overs-a-side season finale.

For the second year running, the Jamaicans outgunned the league champions to carry off the coveted knockout trophy in fine style.

A year ago the Jamaicans beat league champions Leg Trappers by four wickets, after being thrashed by them in both league fixtures, and in a virtual replica of that final at Lord's they prevailed over Forties, who had the league title wrapped up before Cup Match this year, by a similar margin at Sea Breeze Oval on Sunday.

In 2002 the Jamaicans put a dismal league season behind them to overhaul Leg Trappers' 172 for nine in 33.1 overs - this time it was closer but they still had three overs to spare as they reached 177 for six after Forties frittered away a promising start to tumble to 176 all out in 39.5 overs.

Donovan Livingston was the Jamaican hero last year, hitting an unbeaten 74. This time it was his fellow seasoned campaigner Lloyd Morrison who struck a gritty half century to mastermind his team's victory against the 11 times knockout champions.

Although Livingston made only 14 on Sunday, he made his presence felt by taking a running catch and had Forties on the back foot with one for eight in 5.5 overs with his nagging-length medium pacers.

As they did a year ago, the Jamaicans celebrated their victory with champagne and beer (unfortunately, Red Stripe was unavailable) at the Mid-Atlantic Boat & Sports Club on North Shore in Devonshire after a 30-vehicle motorcade of players and fans waving Jamaican flags headed there following a tour through Hamilton to show off their richly-deserved trophy.

"I'm very elated. The boys really dug in and showed grit and determination to carry it off," said club manager Glenmore Barrett.

"I owe them a lot - it made me realise what a good team we've got."

"We'll be back more determined next season. We'll be recruiting for new players - it's time we won the league championship again," added Barrett, whose team finished third this season, a big improvement on their sixth-place finish in 2002.

The Jamaicans' only league title success came in 1990 under their previous name, Pembroke United.

After being sent in and restricted to 21 runs in the first 10 overs, Forties loosened the shackles to gain the upper hand as skipper Gordon Campbell and Brian Brangman grew in confidence to add 102 for the second wicket. But their team-mates failed to capitalise on the partnership and Forties lost their last nine wickets for 50 runs, managing a paltry 34 runs in the final 10 overs.

Campbell, bespectacled and bearded (for a role in the upcoming Fiddler on the Roof show at City Hall), stroked eight fours and two sixes - the first brought up his 50 - before he was bowled for a fine 71 by Norman Godwin, whose otherwise undistinguished five overs went for 45, at 126 and Brangman also perished at the same total for 31, caught at long-on off unlikely hero Ian Coke, who finished with the superb figures of four for 27 from eight overs.

"Coke did an exceptional job for us with the ball as he's not a front-line bowler," said Barrett.

Forties never recovered from the double blow of losing Campbell and Brangman and their hopes of reaching a more challenging total vanished when Morrison atoned for an earlier missed chance in the slips by pulling off a blinding catch at short extra cover to get rid of David DeSilva - Forties' semi-final hero with a knock of 65 in their narrow win over West Indian Association - for 16 off the bowling of skipper Junior Lindo, who claimed two for 24.

Wicketkeeper Clive Barrett got the Jamaicans off to a flying start with 23 in an opening stand of 30 with Norman Godwin (15), Morrison later teaming up with Livingston as the pair added 45 for the third wicket to carry the total to 112.

Livingston was trapped lbw by John Ray, 16-year-old leg-spinner David Campbell, the captain's son, who finished with two for 30 from six overs, removed Coke and Lindo cheaply and when DeSilva (two for 40) claimed a second wicket by getting Presley Millwood lbw, Forties sensed they were still in with a chance.

They thought they also had danger man Morrison's wicket for 47 when a throw from the deep by Gladwin Ingham appeared to catch him short of the crease as he went for a second run, but umpire Jeff Pitcher ruled wicketkeeper Harold Minors had not broken the stumps cleanly.

Ralston Wright, the association's president, ended Forties' fightback by smashing 26 in a stand of 31 with Morrison, sealing the victory by hoisting opening bowler Brian Holdipp over long leg for six. Morrison's unbeaten 52 included five fours and six in his 130-minute stay at the crease during which he faced 79 balls.

"It was a hard fought match played in good spirit," said skipper Campbell. "Both teams seem to rise to an occasion and on this day the Jamaicans rose a little higher than we did.

"It was disappointing not to get a higher score after the groundwork was laid. We wanted at least 200 and always knew that 176 would be difficult to defend at Sea Breeze. Their openers really took it to us and I knew it wasn't going to go the 40 overs - either they were going to get them or we were going to get them out."

Campbell applauded Morrison's knock, saying: "Lloyd's innings was the key for them. He is a class bat and we knew if he stayed around the game would be theirs."