North Village, who have been a thorn in Forties' side this season, dumped the holders out of the Commercial Cricket League's 40-overs-a-side Knockout tournament with a three-wicket first-round victory at Shelly Bay.

Spring Garden Cavaliers joined Village in the semi-finals after thrashing Jamaican Association, who began with ten men and batted with nine, by 202 runs in the other first-round match at Warren Simmons Community Field and will now face Ernst & Young.

"We are falling apart," admitted Junior Lindo whose Jamaican side finished only fifth in the league after winning it last season.

BC Allrounders, who now take on Village, went through after St.David's pulled out of the league while Ernst & Young drew a first-round bye.

Although they could not stop them narrowly winning the title, Village beat Forties twice in the league this season and completed the hat-trick of victories despite a late wobble after dismissing their opponents for a paltry 106 in the 29th over.

"It seems that North Village have our number this year," said Forties'skipper Gordon Campbell whose side beat Cavaliers by one wicket in last year's final at Shelly Bay - their 15th Knockout title in 26 years.

Slow bowler Dion Ball, Jr., who shared the new ball, Rudy Smith and Kevin Mallory all claimed three wickets for Village as Forties crumbled from a promising 42 for one, sorely missing the services of injured Allen Richardson whose unbeaten century the previous week helped his side wrap up the league title.

Forties' top scorer was Yatin Gawas with a run-a-ball 17 as Smith finished with three for 29 from 6.1 overs, Ball three for 27 from eight and Mallory three for 16 from six.

"They bowled well, especially Dion and Kevin, but our shot selection was poor and we got ourselves out for the most part. We really missed Allen Richardson," said Campbell.

Village, whose only Knockout title came in 2006 when they beat Forties by two wickets in the final at Southampton Oval, slipped to 12 for two but a third-wicket stand of 65 between skipper Allen Walker, who made a patient 12 from 53 balls, and Ernest (Muggsy) McCallan, with a 48-ball knock of 42, laid the foundation for victory.

Despite the late clatter of wickets, Village eased home with more than 13 overs to spare, Hoyt Zuill claiming three for 26 from eight and Randy Simmons three for 16 from six.

"The partnership for Village's third wicket between Muggsy and Allen was key.

"Allen copped some flak from his teammates for his slow scoring but it was just what they needed.

"Once we separated them we managed a flurry of wickets but it was too late," said Campbell.

"Our batting has failed in all three meetings with North Village this year.

"We wish them the best in the rest of the competition."

Skipper Walker said the match "lived up to our expectations" as far as it being very competitive.

"We changed our strategy as opposed to our last encounter by starting off with spin at one end. This move proved to be very successful as Dion Ball was able to take the first three wickets. All our bowlers bowled well, plus we hung on to our catches.

"We knew chasing 107 Forties would not just give it to us.

"Forties did make us sweat as we lost two quick wickets which put us at 12 for two.

But thanks to a patient 65-run partnership between Ernest and myself we were able to put our team in a good position whereby we only needed 30 runs from 123 balls when we lost the third wicket.

In trying to get the 30 runs we ended up losing four quick wickets.

"Our tailenders proved their worth by carrying us the rest of the way. It was an overall team effort in winning the game," added Walker.

Cavaliers piled up a massive 328 for nine after openers Dave Greenidge and Chris Clarke (32) got them off to a flying start with a century partnership before bundling out Jamaican Association for 126 in the 24th over.

Acting captain Greenidge's share of the 116-run stand was a dashing 68 from 57 balls, which included 11 fours and a six, while Clarke made 32.

The run spree continued as Alan Boyce made 39, Anthony Brathwaite 33, Craig Smith 32 and Jeff DeSilva 31, Smith and DeSilva adding 70 for the fifth wicket.

New skipper Dean Richards was the pick of the Jamaican attack, taking three for from 14 from three overs, while Bevin Carr took two for 28 from three and Rowan Ramotar two for 46 from seven. Richards then top scored with 28, Keniek Wallen made 26 and Michael Campbell 23.

For Cavaliers, Victor Harmon took two for 19 from 3.4 overs, Smith two for 34 from eight and DeSilva two for 36 from five.

Cavaliers' regular skipper, Richard Foulds, who sat out the match, said: "I have to say that Dave Greenidge batted sublimely.

"His innings was a joy to watch, combining off and on drives with pulls and cuts.

"I thought for a moment I was watching Gordon Greenidge rather than Dave when he unleashed a beautifully timed cover drive that hit the fence before anyone moved.

"Dave's opening stand with Chris Clarke set the tone for the innings and we never looked back.

"Although Dave and Chris got out in quick succession, it was important that the batsmen who followed maintained the momentum.

"The Jamaicans really stuck to their task though and they never let their heads drop, and they took wickets at regular intervals.

Sunday's semi-finals pit Ernst & Young against Cavaliers at Warren Simmons Community Field and Village against BC Allrounders at Shelly Bay.