Defending champions Leg Trappers, whose own hopes were wrecked by a four-match, mid-season losing streak, knocked Watford Sports Club out of the reckoning and gifted the Commercial Cricket League title to faltering Forties.

Forties, who picked up only three points against St. David's the previous week, had another chance to sew up their sixth league title themselves on Sunday but crashed to a heavy defeat against 10-man West Indian Association at Nationals.

However, Forties were guaranteed the title -- their first for seven seasons -- when Leg Trappers, inspired by all-rounder Graham Strange's half century and four-wicket haul, came up trumps for them by getting the better of Watford in a pulsating finish to a drawn match of fluctuating fortunes at the Royal Naval Field.

Elsewhere, Jamaican Association completed the double over Devonshire Stars at Shelly Bay while the other scheduled fixture between St. David's and North Village at Garrison Field was called off when both teams turned up with only six players.

Leg Trappers' seven points to Watford's three left the west enders 13 points adrift of Forties with only one round of matches remaining this weekend.

Watford, chasing a victory target of 183, were coasting at 80 for one but collapsed to 110 for eight, before Terence Corday, with five sixes -- including three in one over from newcomer Robin Baker -- and two fours in a fighting unbeaten 61, turned the game on its head again by adding 50 runs with Ray DeSilva (five) for the ninth wicket.

Requiring 20 to win from the last over, Corday plundered 12 runs off left-arm slow bowler James Swan's first three balls with a two, six and four but disappointingly for the west enders he failed to add to the score, Watford finishing eight runs short of a victory that would have made them odds-on favourites for the title.

Watford were left to rue dropping Strange three times -- including a straightforward slip catch to Terry Ward when he was on four -- as Leg Trappers totalled 182 for nine from their 42 overs.

Strange's 52 contained eight fours while Damion Henderson also hit a half century, striking four sixes and three fours in his 55, the pair adding 81 in a crucial fourth-wicket stand.

Baker chipped in with 20 but James Broadbent's luckless season continued when he was out hit wicket for five in strange fashion. Attempting a hook, he edged the ball onto his head and knocked off his cap which fell onto the stumps, dislodging one bail.

David DeSilva, contining to enjoy a rich vein of form with the ball, was the pick of the Watford attack with five for 74 from 19 overs while Craig Christensen took three for 13 from three overs after removing Strange with a loosener.

Opener Ward got Watford off to a solid start before falling to a fine slip catch by Chris Fleming for 37 off Strange while Michael Corday made 28.

Strange's four for 41 came from 14 overs while Swan returned figures of three for 61 from 15.

"We threw it away really, but it was one of the most exciting games we've had,'' said Watford skipper Terry Corday.

Forties lost their unbeaten record when they were bundled out for a paltry 63 in 25.5 overs -- only opener Gladwin Ingham (11) reached double figures -- after being sent in by WIA who avenged an earlier narrow defeat at the same ground.

Forties were undermined by opening bowler Junior Watts' five for 21 from 12 overs and first-change Steve Nurse who claimed four for 21 -- all bowled -- from seven overs.

Although Edwin Wickham was bowled for one by David Jarrett, Jerry Callender (17 not out) and Andy Boyce teamed up to steer WIA to 64 for one in 22 overs.

Hard-hitting Boyce dominated the partnership, striking four fours and a six in his unbeaten 44 and ultimately hurrying his side to victory as 16 runs came in the final over bowled by Harold Minors.

With Michael Campbell picking up three for 25, Junior Lindo three for 27 and Ralston Wright two for 10, Jamaican Association dismissed Devonshire Stars for 71 in the 28th over, skipper Derek Smith topscoring with 24.

Ian Coke's 11-year-old son Ian, Jr. bowled two overs for five runs on his debut and also effected the run-out of Cory Smith who later took two for 19 as the Jamaicans rattled up 72 for four in only 13.3 overs. Skipper Norman Godwin topscored with 32.