North Village dashed Forties’ dwindling hopes of retaining their Commercial Cricket League title when they overcame the rain to inflict a four-wicket defeat on their rivals.

But Village, pipped at the post last season, have not shrugged off dogged pursuers Hamilton Parish, who stayed within three points of the leaders by thrashing BC Allrounders by 79 runs after a bold declaration.

Jamaican Association continued their revival by coasting to six-wicket win over Fine Leg Byes, while Western Stars and St. David’s had to settle for a share of the points after a second downpour got under the covers and flooded the St. John’s Field pitch.

Forties never recovered from a disastrous start in which they lost three wickets without a run on the board, Village eventually reaching their victory target of 98 by knocking off the runs inside 19 overs at Southampton Oval.

Teenage medium pacer Makai Young enhanced his growing reputation by doing the bulk of the damage for Village, whipping out Harold Minors, Rohan Davis and David Campbell for ducks on his way to impressive figures of four for 22 from eight overs.

Young’s burst, coupled with Grant Smith’s three for 15 from 12.3 overs, helped dismiss Forties for 97 in the 41st over and it needed a fightback by lower order pair Johnny Simoes and skipper Gordon Campbell, who each made 31, to give the total an air of respectability.

Forties had reached 71 for six from 24 overs when heavy rain drove the players from the field, holding up play for a total of 90 minutes, before Village got off to a flying start in their delayed run chase by rattling up 35 runs from six overs.

Useful scores came from Mike Levon jr (17), Smith (15), Ricky Hill (14), Ernest McCallan (14) and Dion Ball jr (13) as Village replied with 100 for six.

Gordon Campbell took two for 15 from 3.2 overs and Blake West two for 37 from six.

“We were in trouble from the get-go in our innings and we then got ourselves in a hole from the start of their innings with some loose bowling and fielding,” said skipper Campbell.

“It was a landmine of a pitch. They won the toss and it was a good one to win.”

Village skipper Reggie Benjamin said: “We didn’t get in to bat until nearly 6pm because of the rain. We didn’t want a draw, we wanted to chase the runs so we just went for it.”

Parish’s 31-over declaration at 171 for four after being sent in at Sea Breeze Oval left BC Allrounders 53 overs to seek their first points of the season but they folded for 92 in 27 overs.

Openers Frederick Simons (40) and Mike Burgess (34) gave Parish a solid start with a 76-run partnership before Shannon Warner, who made 45 not out, and Quinn Outerbridge (19) added 68 for the fourth wicket.

Derek Smith took two for 31 from eight overs for BC Allrounders but the bottom club were brushed aside by Chris Caisey (four for 24 in eight overs) and Curtis Lee (three for 15 in five), only Shawn Fubler (31) offering any resistance.

Rain stoppages could not deny Jamaican Association maximum points at Shelly Bay where they chased down FLB’s 167 in the 39th over.

Craig Smith, who has been dogged by injury, struck eight fours and a six in his 72 and Kelly Simmons made 32 to give FLB a fighting chance despite being bowled out in 32 overs. Tony Parks (three for 35 from 10.3 overs), David Gibbs (three for 51 from 11) and Norman Godwin (two for 36 from six) shared the JA bowling honours.

In-form Presley Millwood and Chris Daley (40) engineered the victory, opener Millwood striking nine fours in an unbeaten 75 to guide JA home. Kiran Allen took two for 24 from five overs for FLB.

Former Cup Match star Andre (Doc) Manders and 14-year-old Brian Hall combined to forge a century opening partnership for Western Stars against St. David’s but their efforts were in vain as rain had the final say.

Manders stroked 10 fours in his 65 while Hall made 31 as Stars closed on 153 for three in 32.1 overs. Jahson Smith took two 40 from eight overs for St. David’s.

* The league has postponed the League Cup, scheduled to start this Sunday, and June 24 league fixtures have been brought forward by a week.