St. David's 151-2 After a tumultuous week that saw Nationals' players threaten to abruptly end their season, a total of 10 players, including veteran and long-retired former spinner Fred Trott, turned up to make this game possible at National Sports Club.

It was a decision that St. David's century-maker James Pace welcomed with obvious delight as St. David's kept alive their hopes of avoiding the drop with an eight wicket win, thanks to Pace's unmerciful attack on the Nationals' bowlers which produced 107 not out.

Nationals were forced to pay dearly for a weakened line-up and the shortage of players, though the likes of Darrin Lewis and John Ray did return to the team.

However, some of the members who played last week stayed true to their decision not to play again this season.

Pace's furious assault on the bowling saw him strike 10 fours and nine sixes.

He joined skipper Allen Richardson (23 not out) in a third wicket stand that put on 136 runs, naturally a partnership with Pace being the aggressor.

The duo added much needed stability after St. David's had lost openers Desmond Crockwell (0) and Eddie Lamb (5) with just 15 runs on the board.

Thanks to the aggression of Pace, St. David's needed just 24 overs to reach their winning target.

Earlier Nationals looked capable of reaching a respectable total with Dennis Trott and Roderick Masters provided solid batting performances, with Trott scored 57 and Masters 42. But once their second-wicket stand of 94 ended with the departure of Trott -- run out by Pace in his delivery after Trott stepped out of his crease -- Masters had great difficulty in finding an able partner.

He stayed around until the score reached 142, but wickets fell regularly at the other end with the final total being a modest 150.

Reginald Pitcher was the best bowler for St. David's with three for 19 while George Cannonier, in his first game of the season, had three for 27 and Pace one for 35.

Richardson has confirmed that after a `misunderstanding' he is back as captain of the St. David's team. He missed the team's last match because he was on vacation as Graham Fox took over.