Forties took advantage of Spring Garden Cavaliers' week off to forge a six-point lead at the top of the Commercial Cricket League, crushing BC Allrounders by ten wickets, while North Village bounced back from a heavy Memorial Trophy defeat to turn the tables on Jamaican Association.

Forties face Cavaliers at Shelly Bay this weekend in what could be the title decider in a shortened eight-matches-per-team league programme following the early-season withdrawal of newcomers Titans. Cavaliers trounced Forties by six wickets in their first meeting at Garrison Field.

Village skipper Allen Walker, who made an unbeaten half-century in a match-winning sixth-wicket partnership, said his team's "relaxed" approach had paid dividends in avenging a six-wicket defeat at Garrison Field in the first week of the season as they completed a five-wicket success in near darkness at Warren Simmons Community Field.

Village and Jamaican Association are both on 23 points, 17 adrift of Forties.

BC Allrounders were bundled out for 66 in the 21st over after winning the toss at Shelly Bay. Number ten Andre Smith topscored with 20, while Worrell Bean was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 11.

BC Allrounders were ripped apart by Yatin Gawas' three for 11 from seven overs, Brian Brangman's three for 11 from 3.1 overs and fit-again Blake West's two for 21 from seven after losing early wickets and limping to the first water break at 32 for six.

Skipper Gordon Campbell (21) and Simon Jones, whose 38 included six fours, knocked off the runs in 11.4 overs.

"I know how BC feel," said Campbell. "It is embarrassing, but it can happen to any team. We've been in similar situations before.

"Blake and Yatin scythed through their top order with some devastating swing bowling. We had four clean bowled and a run-out in the first five wickets. Brian finished off the tail with his tantalising off-spinners."

Skipper Alleyne Francis led from the front with a half-century as Jamaican Association posted 245 after being sent in at the Somerset venue which invariably produces a feast of runs.

Opener Francis' 67 included five fours and two sixes and number three Michael Campbell made 49 as the pair added 77 but the middle order could not sustain the tempo and, as club manager Glenmore Barrett said, "we ended up 40 runs short of a good total".

Other useful contributions came from Kevin Abrahams (29) and Presley Millwood (25) in a total boosted by 42 extras as Rudy Smith and 14-year-old Dejon Benjamin took the bowling honours for Village.

Smith finished with three for 48 from 13 overs while Benjamin put a hole in the middle order by taking three for 35 from three. Mike Levon, Jr. took two for 47 from seven.

Skipper Walker and Dion Ball, Jr., who made 43 and 80 respectively in the first fixture, and Randy Smith (33 not out) combined to seal victory for Village, wobbling at 95 for three at one stage, a week after they suffered a heavy defeat against Forties in the Memorial at Shelly Bay.

Ball made 56 while Walker finished unbeaten on 62, including a six and five fours, as he and Smith added an unbroken 93 for the sixth wicket after Reggie Benjamin, still not fully fit after knee surgery, made 24, Village, helped by 32 extras, reaching their target in the 41st of their available 44 overs.

Vice-captain Ian Coke was the pick of the Jamaican attack with three for 49 from 14 overs.

"As always, our games against Jamaican Association always go down to the end," said Walker.

"This game we played relaxed. We decided before the game that we had not been playing to our full potential, resulting in our position in the bottom half of the table. We decided that we would just have fun and encourage each other. Our win was a team effort as everyone played a vital role."

Added Barrett: "We were a bit rusty after a two-week layoff but I still think we can make an impact for the rest of the season."