St. David's dashed Forties' hopes of wrapping up the Commercial Cricket League title by having the better of a draw while sole challengers Watford Sports Club whittled down Forties' lead to 16 points by completing the double over Jamaican Association.

Leg Trappers continued their recovery after a four-match losing streak ended their hopes of retaining the title by crushing nine-man bottom club North Village by eight wickets. Bad light halted Sunday's other fixture between West Indian Association and Devonshire Stars.

Opener Terry Ward, Watford's Mr. Reliable, and left-hander David DeSilva were the chief engineers of the west enders' six-wicket win, their second of the season over Jamaican Association at the Royal Naval Field.

Ward struck four sixes and three fours in his 53 as Watford easily overhauled the Jamaicans' modest 118 in less than 21 overs. Michael Campbell top-scored with 29.

Wrecker-in-chief DeSilva, who also made 19, snapped up six for 28 in 11 overs while Blake West chipped in with two for 43.

Forties still need five points from their remaining two matches -- against West Indian Association at Nationals this Sunday and Leg Trappers at the same venue the following week -- to be certain of the title while Watford will be looking for maximum points against Leg Trappers and Devonshire Stars.

Leg Trappers, who earlier crushed Watford by seven wickets at Nationals, are taking this Sunday's game seriously.

"Even though we are only mid-table, we are going all out to win,'' said Leg Trappers' James Broadbent. Watford have dropped just three points at home all season.

Needing an outright victory to be certain of winning the title for the first time since 1993, Forties were outgunned by St. David's who took seven points to Forties' three after the match, scheduled for Lord's, was switched to Garrison Field at the last minute and reduced to 40 overs a side.

Despite firm assurances to officials, organisers of Saturday night's soca concert failed to clear the St. David's Cricket Club ground in time for Sunday's match, frustrating Forties who opted to play at Lord's for the second time this season.

St. David's piled up a daunting 185 for eight on a slow outfield after being sent in by Forties, Allen Richardson leading the way with three fours and a six in an accomplished 59, his second knock for St. David's Commercial side since completing a suspension for abusing an umpire in a Premier match last season.

Skipper Eddie Lamb, who retired midway through his innings with a leg injury after colliding with the bowler, returned to make 25 while George O'Brien hammered 36 and former Forties player Alan Lamb, one of three run-outs, lashed 22. Brian Holdipp persevered to take three for 38 from 11 overs.

In reply, skipper Gordon Campbell and Harold Minors put on 37 for the first wicket but when Campbell, who left the same evening for a European holiday, played on to George Cannonier for 10 Forties lost momentum, quickly slipping to 45 for three.

Minors fell at 63 when he was bowled by O'Brien (two for 12 from eight overs) for 37, which included four fours and a six, effectively ending Forties' run chase.

Mark Melvin (18 not out) and Oscar Andrade (nine not out) thwarted the St.

David's attack and both teams accepted the draw with three overs remaining, Forties closing at 85 for four from 37 overs.

North Village, missing key members of their attack, went down for the second time this season to Leg Trappers at Nationals after being restricted to 123 for five.

David Scraders, who hit two sixes in the final over as well as two fours before being bowled off the last ball from James Swan (two for 38 from 19 overs), made 47 while Mike Young hit 41 and followed it up with two for 33 from 15 overs.

Young was unluckily run out when Roddy Moore, playing his first game of the season after overcoming a slew of injuries, deflected the ball onto the stumps as the batsman backed up too far.

Long-time resident Moore, who sent down 11 overs for 37 runs, is due to play his final game against Forties before returning to live in Britain. David Hosier took two for 23.

Leg Trappers lost two early wickets but an unbroken stand of 111 between Justin Freisenbruch and Graham Strange saw them home with six overs to spare.

Freisenbruch's 56 included four fours while Strange hit two fours in his 42.

West Indian Association, with useful contributions from opener Chris Clarke (42), Devonish Small (37) and Wayne Clarke (22), piled up 210 in 41 overs at Shelly Bay where 10-man Devonshire Stars replied strongly with 161 for four in 34 overs, thanks to skipper Derek Smith's unbeaten 61, before the game, which started an hour late, was called off at 8 p.m. Smith struck six fours and two sixes.

Newcomer Justin Bailey, a medium pacer, took three for 20 from six overs while Robert Dill, Jr. returned three for 25.