Team manager Wendell Lindsay was so confident North Village would win - and avoid the possibility of finishing bottom of the Commercial Cricket League for the second season running - that he handed Devonshire Stars a small wooden spoon before the game.

Although Village went on to win Sunday's match at Sea Breeze Oval, Lindsay almost got egg on his face as his side were in deep trouble before eventually scraping home by 14 runs in a see-saw affair, condemning Stars to bottom place.

Elsewhere, Leg Trappers became the only team to avoid defeat against new champions St. David's when they held the East Enders to a draw for the second time, Watford Sports Club hammered league runners-up Jamaican Association by 141 runs and Forties crushed eight-man West Indian Association by 96 runs.

The league programme wraps up this weekend with rearranged matches - Leg Trappers against North Village at Shelly Bay and Devonshire Stars against St. David's at Garrison Field - while West Indian Association and Watford Sports Club have agreed to call off their game and share the points.

An unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 63 between Dion Ball, who made 47 not out, and Kentoine Jennings (15 not out) rescued Village from a precarious 87 for eight to lift their side to 150 for eight in 42 overs, the total boosted by 39 extras.

Derek Smith, who snapped up four for 46 in 16 overs, and Clinton Outerbridge (two for 55), did the bulk of the damage, plunging their wooden spoon rivals into immediate trouble as Village, who won the toss, lost half their wickets for 39.

In reply, Brian Trott hit 42 to help push Stars from 72 for seven to 121 for eight but Chris Caisey (four for 48), Jennings (three for 30) and Derek Bell (three for 35) had the final say as Stars were dismissed in the 36th over for 136.

"I took a wooden spoon from the kitchen to give to Stars. We're all good mates and they didn't take offence. Luckily we won,"' said a relieved Lindsay.

Leg Trappers, who had a "winning" draw against St. David's earlier, settled for a "losing" draw at Lord's where both teams were guilty of dropped catches.

Left-hander Ken Pitcher was St. David's man of the match, smashing an unbeaten 53 in his side's 247 for seven and then taking three for 27 to peg back Leg Trappers who closed on 201 for seven.

Wicketkeeper Justin Freisenbruch dropped opener Jeff Pitcher before he had scored - a costly miss as Pitcher went on to score a quick-fire half century which included three sixes and seven fours.

Pitcher (58) and Ernest McCallan added 47 for the first wicket before Colin Scaife took two wickets in three balls, removing McCallan for 10 and James Pace without scoring.

Granville Bennett had to retire hurt on four after being struck on the knee but Allen Richardson (40) and Shea Pitcher (25) kept the runs flowing, aided by a lightning-fast outfield.

However, Leg Trappers continued to pick up wickets and by the 32nd over St. David's were only 169 for seven. But Ken Pitcher, batting at number nine, proceeded to smash the bowling to all parts of the ground, taking a particular liking to slow left-arm bowler James Swan who went for 43 runs in one four-over spell.

Pitcher had an escape on 24 when Graham Strange spilled a chance on the boundary before racing to his half century, hammering six sixes and two fours, and adding an unbroken 78 for the eighth wicket with skipper George O'Brien (26 not out).

Swan persevered to finish with three for 74 from 16 overs while Scaife took two for 68 and David Hosier two for 35.

Leg Trappers started badly, losing James Broadbent and Jonathan Hughes with only 15 on the board. Gary Knight made 30, leaving Strange again to control the innings with a fine 70.

He got good support from Andy Trinder (27) but wickets tumbled and Strange was finally caught at point off a full toss. Swan hit a spirited 34 not out but Trappers settled for a draw.

Work commitments and a shoulder injury to skipper Barry Richards left WIA three short and the handicap proved too great at Shelly Bay where Forties made 155 for seven after winning the toss and then dismissed the West Indians for a paltry 59 to avenge an earlier defeat.

Gladwin Ingham, who made 54, and skipper Gordon Campbell (21) added 65 for the third wicket while David Jarrett weighed in with an unbeaten 24 which included the only boundaries of the innings _ a six and a four _ on a slow outfield.

Junior Watts was rewarded for his 16-over stint with four for 58 while John McConnie took three for 23.

Chris Clarke top-scored with 17 for WIA but slow bowler Braxton Stowe wrapped up the innings after 20 overs by claiming three wickets in his fourth and final over, finishing with four for six.

Blake West (48), skipper Terence Corday (33 not out), Sidney Simmons (28 not out) and John Ray (28) all got among the runs as Watford Sports Club, helped by 45 extras, ran up 232 for seven at Royal Naval Field after winning the toss.

Glenroy Brown and Ralston Wright took two wickets apiece for the Jamaicans who were then skittled out for 91 in the 20th over, skipper Norman Godwin top-scoring with 23.

David DeSilva claimed four for 11 while Michael Corday, who opened the bowling instead of keeping wicket, and West took two wickets each.