Opening bowler Brian Holdipp recorded career-best figures of seven for 40 from 13 overs to power Forties to a comfortable Commercial Cricket League victory over St. David's but the future of newcomers Allied Blues was left in doubt after they defaulted their match.

Elsewhere, defending champions Leg Trappers and Jamaican Association both had to dig deep to force victories over North Village and Devonshire Stars respectively after running into early trouble.

Allied Blues, a team made up of Government blue-collar workers, fielded only eight players in their first game against Leg Trappers and managed only six on Sunday, forcing them to default against Watford Sports Club at the Royal Naval Field.

Clubs face automatic expulsion from the league after two defaults but Blues manager Mackie Burrows said he was confident he could rally his team and field a side for their scheduled match against Devonshire this weekend at Garrison Field.

"Give us one more shot,'' he said yesterday. "I should be able to pull it together for Sunday.'' Forties made a flying start after being asked to bat by St. David's at Lord's, racing to 72 for one in 12 overs, but 20-year-old Dejaun Paynter and skipper George Cannonier, the first change bowler, combined to put the brakes on the scoring.

Paynter, who had three spells, picked up the first four wickets at a cost of 35 runs and finished with four for 67 from 16 overs, removing openers Hugh Hollis (14), Gordon Campbell (32), Gladwin Ingham (16) and Craig Cannonier (nought).

Slow bowler Jamie Roberts snapped up three for 26 but useful contributions from Alleyne Francis, who made a patient 33 despite a groin strain, Braxton Stowe (21) and Mark Melvin (24) helped lift Forties from 120 for five to 177 for nine.

Holdipp had St. David's on the back foot from the start, picking up two quick wickets and adding three more as he reduced the east enders to 50 for six.

Opener Cannonier battled to shore up the innings but after he was trapped lbw for 29 by Craig Cannonier, Holdipp continued his rampage.

Kenny O'Connor provided a late flourish batting at number nine, stroking 10 fours in an attractive unbeaten 41 to lift the total into three figures but skipper Campbell ended the innings at 106 in the 28th over when he bowled last man Roberts for one.

North Village frittered away a promising start after being sent in by Leg Trappers at Nationals. Although opener Michael Payne made 23, number three Mike Young 24 and skipper Dion Ball 17, Village slid to 107 all out in the 35th over.

Tim Calveley and Colin Scaife did most of the damage, Calveley collecting his second successive four-wicket haul with 4-15 from five overs while opener Scaife had three for 17 from six overs.

Village had Leg Trappers on the ropes at 35 for five as former PHC pace bowler Neil Anglin finished with four for 26 from 10 overs but an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 73 between skipper Graham Strange and James Swan steered their side to a five-wicket victory in the 32nd over.

Strange finished on 37 while Swan, who is recovering from a broken arm, made 38.

Jamaican Association needed an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 61 between wicketkeeper Presley Millwood (41 not out) and newcomer Courtney Sinclair (17 not out) to guide them to a three-wicket win over Devonshire Stars at Shelly Bay.

Openers Shane Grant (30) and Frankie Simons (32) gave Devonshire Stars a healthy start with a stand of 47 but although Cory Smith chipped in with 22 the early momentum was lost and the innings closed at 138.

Chief wicket-takers for Jamaican Association were Rowan Ramotar (four for 35 from eight overs), newcomer Glenroy Brown (two for nine) and Errol Wray (two for 29).

Although skipper Ian Coke made 30 and Norman Godwin 23, skipper Derek Smith (three for 26 from 10) and Andre Smith (three for 35 from 11) had the Jamaicans reeling at 79 for seven before Millwood and Sinclair came to their rescue.

Teams are asked to call Jonathan Kent at the Royal Gazette sports desk on Monday morning after 10.00 with details of this Sunday's matches.