Despite the surprise defection of veteran all-rounder Allan Lee to rivals West Indian Association, Forties closed in on the Commercial Cricket League title with a hard-fought five-wicket victory over North Village.

WIA and Jamaican Association also both won to maintain pressure on the leaders but Forties, 24 points ahead of Jamaican Association with WIA three points further back, can clinch the title, with two matches remaining, if they complete the double over Centurions at the Royal Naval Field on Sunday before teams take a one-week Cup Match break.

Jamaican Association were pushed hard by Centurions before securing a three-wicket victory with eight balls to spare, while a half century from Andy Boyce and a four-wicket haul by former Forties player Lee helped set up West Indian Association's four-wicket win over Devonshire Stars.

Village, yet to take a point from a disappointing season, failed to capitalise on a fine opening stand of 98 between Mike Levon and Allan Walker at Garrison Field, eventually setting Forties a less than daunting victory target of 155 which was achieved with 15 balls to spare.

Levon struck five fours in his 48 while Walker's 38 included two boundaries to guide Village to 58 in the first 14 overs and 97 after 24 overs, but although David Scraders chipped in with an unbeaten 26 at No. 4 the middle order was pegged back by slow bowlers Braxton Stowe and Oscar Andrade, only seven runs coming from the final three overs as the innings closed at 154 for five.

Stowe and Andrade each bowled 11 overs, picking up two for 33 and two for 41 respectively.

At 125 for five, Forties still required 30 to win from seven overs but Andrade, who finished unbeaten on 25, swung the match irrevocably Forties' way by hitting two sixes in an over from Webster Mills that went for 13.

Andrade featured in an unbroken stand of 46 with skipper Gordon Campbell whose 44 not out contained three boundaries after Forties had slipped to 110 for five - on a ground where batsmen struggle to score freely - despite an opening stand of 49 between Gerald Bean (19) and Stowe (22). Harold Minors made 20, while Village's most successful bowler was Walker with two for 35.

"It was an interesting game and was tight for a while. However, fundamentals and patience paid off in the end," said skipper Campbell.

Despite a slow start, Centurions' lower middle order helped post a competitive total of 176 for eight at the Royal Naval Field but couldn't prevent Jamaican Association completing the double in the 41st over - a victory watched by visiting Jamaican Consul General to New York Dr. Basil Bryan.

Angus Lynn (35), Paul Lindo (29 not out) and Chris Maughan (26) were Centurions' chief run-getters as Rowan Ramotar, Mark Daley and skipper Junior Lindo each picked up two wickets.

The Jamaicans got off to a flyer in reply but a superb spell of leg spin bowling by Nick Cardinez, coupled with Troy Berkeley's tidy medium pace, put the brakes on the scoring before Centurions succumbed to defeat in the 41st over, Cardinez claiming three for 47 from 16 overs and Berekely three for 67 from 15.4 overs.

Clive Barrett (36), Donovan Livingston (34), Ralston Wright (27) and 21 on his seasonal debut by Arthur Dublin ensured maximum points but Centurions' skipper Jeremy Leese was far from dismayed.

"The Jamaicans did just enough to hold it together and sneak home with eight balls to spare. We had a bit of a makeshift team but it was a very good effort which augurs well for the remainder of the season."

Devonshire Stars notched up 164 for nine thanks to useful knocks from Frederick Simons (42), Worrell Bean (27) and Howard Ascento, Jr. (26) but it was the unexpected arrival of Lee, seeking a new lease of life at the age of 61 after walking out on Forties because he felt he was being underused, who took the bowling honours for WIA, capturing four for 41 from 11 overs.

"We were missing a number of our players and Allan bowled really well," said WIA skipper Barry Richards, who chipped in with two for nine.

Lee made only four with the bat but Boyce's 67, which contained seven fours and two sixes, and an unbeaten 37 by Adrian Maclean helped WIA complete the double with six overs to spare, Bean and Derek Smith taking two wickets apiece for Stars.