Table-topping Leg Trappers have thrown down the gauntlet to their Commercial Cricket League rivals after crushing last season's high fliers St. David's by nine wickets.

"We outplayed them in all departments," said spokesman James Broadbent yesterday. "On this performance I can't see Leg Trappers being beaten by anyone this season."

Leg Trappers, the 1999 league and knockout champions, maintained their two-point lead but second-placed North Village and Forties also both recorded nine-wicket victories on Sunday while a Dave Greenidge century propelled West Indian Association to an emphatic 167-run win over Jamaican Association.

Despite a half century by opener Shea Pitcher - his 57 included 11 fours - St. David's, who won both the league and knockout last season, were dismissed for a modest 131 in 36 overs after being sent in at Devonshire Recreation Club, a venue that has rarely been used for Commercial League matches.

Slow left-arm bowler James Swan snapped up four for 14 in eight overs while opening bowler Mark Wetherhill was on the mark with two for 12 from six overs and there were also two wickets for David Hosier.

Gary Knight and Damion Henderson enjoyed a sparkling opening stand of 124 to carry Trappers to the brink of victory, which was eventually achieved in the 32nd over, Knight slamming nine fours and two sixes in his 75 before falling to Jeff Pitcher (one for four) and Henderson stroking four fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 54.

Greenidge, batting at number three, blasted 17 fours in an unbeaten 131 as WIA piled up 256 for five in a match reduced to 40 overs per side after a delayed start at Shelly Bay.

Although Greenidge was dropped twice, skipper Barry Richards described it as a "beautiful knock". There were also useful contributions from Andy Boyce (39), Olwin Clarke (24 not out) and Jerry Callender (23).

Rowan Ramotar and Glenroy Brown picked up two wickets apiece for the Jamaicans who have been weakened by the return to Premier club Somerset of fast bowler David Gibbs and the absence through a serious shoulder injury of all-rounder Simroy Crosdale.

The Jamaicans had no answer to the pace of Stan Francis (three for 18) and the spin of Randy Liverpool (two for 23) and were shot out for 89 in 23 overs, the innings closing before Ramotar, who had to leave on an errand, was able to get back to the ground to bat.

The North Village pace attack of Chris Caisey (four for 27) and Derek Bell (four for 36) scythed through the Devonshire Stars batting at Garrison Field and Stars were indebted to a battling knock of 49 by skipper Derek Bell, who was caught behind off Kentoine Jennings (two for six), for managing to reach 74.

Robin Swan followed up his half century the previous week with an unbeaten 35 while Kenny Thompson made 23 not out as Village replied with 75 for one in 21 overs.

Struggling newcomers Police Recreation Club, who played one short, crashed to their second successive heavy defeat after being dismissed for 59 by Forties at Royal Naval Field, their innings undermined by the pace of David Jarrett (four for six from eight overs) and former Watford Sports Club all-rounder Terence Corday (four for 13).

Corday's victims included his uncle Michael Corday, who made six batting at number nine for Police but is expected to join Somerset.

Despite losing David DeSilva, another former Watford player, for seven, Rohaan Simons' unbeaten 39 helped Forties reach their target from 55 balls.

"It was not a good result for us," admitted Police skipper Jim Walters who topscored with 22. "But it was an entertaining game with a good social side to it."