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Trappers wallop Windies in Knockout Cup opener

Holders Leg Trappers began the defence of their Commercial Cricket League knockout crown with an emphatic 88-run victory over West Indian Association but last season's losing finalists Watford Sports Club were bundled out by Jamaican Association in a thrilling finish.

An unbeaten century by Ernest McCallan powered St. David's to a massive 200-run victory over nine-man Devonshire Stars after piling up 309 for five in their 40 overs -- the league's highest total of the season -- while league champions Forties also advanced with a 68-run win over North Village.

Sunday's run feast has set up intriguing semi-finals this weekend with St.

David's taking on Jamaican Association at Lord's and Leg Trappers meeting Forties at Nationals.

It proved third time lucky for Jamaican Association, who had twice lost to Watford at the Royal Naval Field this season, as they pipped the west enders on their home ground with an over to spare and two wickets in hand thanks to a fighting unbeaten knock of 90 by opener Arthur Dublin.

Watford played two short -- skipper Terry Corday and his son Terence and leading opening batsman Terry Ward were notable absentees -- while Jamaican Association had 10 players, including 11-year-old Ian Coke, Jr.

Openers David DeSilva and Granville Bennett, who featured in an opening stand of 81, both scored half-centuries after Watford were sent in. DeSilva had six fours in his 51 while Bennett had eight in his 53.

Michael Corday (41) and Troy Berkeley (30) kept the runs flowing as the west enders were dismissed in the 39th over for 225, Norman Godwin taking three for 31 and Junior Lindo picking up two wickets.

Dublin, whose unbeaten 90 included nine fours and three sixes, was well supported by Simroy Crosdale (37) and Richard Nicholls (29). Berkeley claimed three for 50 and DeSilva two for 37.

"It was a thrilling game,'' said Jamaican Association manager Glenmore Barrett. "It was the icing on the cake for my season just to beat those guys.'' Man of the match Graham Strange engineered Leg Trappers' victory at Nationals -- their first of the season over West Indian Assocation -- by hitting five fours and two sixes in a top score of 61 and then claiming four for 26 in 6.1 overs.

Leg Trappers rattled up 226 for seven -- boosted by a whopping 60 extras, including 22 byes and 19 wides -- after being sent in, Strange teaming up with Chris Fleming (33) to add a crucial 89 runs for the fourth wicket.

Justin Freisenbruch made 24 while there were two wickets apiece for Jerry Callender and Steve Nurse.

Although Wayne Clarke fell for a duck, skipper John McConnie (20) and Olwin Clarke (29) gave chase, rattling up the 50 in only eight overs but WIA slumped to 57 for five and only 44 from Randy Liverpool, who hit four fours and three sixes, gave the total an air of respectability as his side subsided to 138 all out in the 29th over. James Swan and Damion Henderson took two wickets each.

St. David's made a poor start, slipping to 13 for two, at Lord's as opener Lyndon Jackson went for one and George Cannonier was caught first ball for a duck but there was little joy for Devonshire Stars afterwards as the east enders launched a furious assault on their bowlers.

Skipper Eddie Lamb lashed 10 fours in his 56 and George O'Brien struck eight boundaries in his 41 before Chris Pitcher joined McCallan to continue the rampage with an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 158.

Powerboat ace McCallan's 103 not out contained 15 fours and three sixes while Pitcher stroked 10 fours in his unbeaten 69. There were two wickets apiece for Worrell Bean and Justin Bailey.

Only Shane Grant, with eight fours in his 48, coped with the St. David's attack, as Stars tumbled to 109 all out in 20 overs, Cannonier atoning for his duck with three for 28. Henry O'Connor also picked up three wickets and O'Brien took two.

Skipper Gordon Campbell (49) and man of the match Craig Cannonier (39) were the chief run-getters as Forties made 139 in 9.1 overs at Shelly Bay -- a total that proved well out of the reach of struggling North Village.

Neil Robinson was Village's most successful bowler with three for 34, having jet-lagged Campbell caught behind off his final delivery. There were also two wickets each for Derek Bell and Kim Pitt.

Only Kenny Thompson (18) and David Scraders (19) reached double figures as Village subsided from 52 for four at halfway to 71 all out in the 30th over with Cannonier following up his useful knock with four for 16 in 6.5 overs.

Opening bowlers Brian Holdipp and David Jarrett chipped in with two wickets each.