Police Recreation Club surged clear at the top of the Commercial Cricket League on Sunday, notching up their third straight victory as defending champions West Indian Association faltered and Watford Sports Club were left fuming when they found themselves without a pitch.

Police skipper Grant Tomkins spearheaded a hard-earned victory over Jamaican Association, topscoring with the bat and then taking his tally to 11 wickets in the last two matches. Police had one injured player taken to hospital.

Lucozade Leg Trappers dismissed opponents for under 100 for the second week running before going on to register an emphatic seven-wicket win over West Indian Association.

West End Warriors, after twice playing with nine men, moved up the table when they walloped North Village by three wickets to record their first victory in the league, leaving Jamaican Association without a point at the foot of the table.

Forties and Watford were due to play at the Royal Naval Field but when the Somerset Cricket Club ground was declared unfit Willow Cuts and PHC commandeered the nearby artificial pitch for their Premier Division match.

The Premier match was already underway when Forties and Watford turned up for a 12.30 start at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation-controlled ground, which is normally used exclusively on Sundays by Commercial League sides.

Cuts formerly played their home matches at Royal Naval Field and still use the ground for training. Skipper Dexter Basden said yesterday he saw "some guys turn up'' after they had started but he was unaware a Commercial League game had been scheduled.

"Sandys (now Watford) normally call us if they are going to use the ground.

The cricket board have given clubs permission this season to use artificial pitches for games.'' Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey, who has tried unsuccessfully to get the now thriving Commercial League to become associate members of the BCBC, said: "This was obviously an emergency but I'm sorry to hear of this incident.'' Police triumphed by 39 runs over Jamaican Association at bowler-friendly Garrison Field -- but it was a painful victory for two of their players.

Dennis Gordon was taken to hospital after losing two front teeth when he mistimed an attempted hook against David Gibbs and the fast bowler also struck Dave Geraghty a nasty blow in the face as he tried to avoid a rising delivery.

Gibbs took only one wicket but conceded just 30 runs from 19 fiery overs as Police were dismissed in the final over for 120, skipper Tomkins, batting at number nine, topscoring with 27.

Mike Young, with three for nine, and George Fisher (three for 39) were the most successful bowlers for the Jamaican Association who were then bundled out for 81 in the 28th over. Michael Campbell topscored with 25.

Tomkins followed up his six-wicket haul against Forties with five for 33 in 12 overs while Jim Walters took three for five in 6.5 overs. Wicketkeeper Devonish Small held five catches.

Lucozade Leg Trappers ended West Indian Association's unbeaten run after bowling them out for a paltry 82 at Shelly Bay. Leg Trappers dismissed North Village for 84 on the same ground the previous week.

Sent in on a damp pitch, WIA made the worst possible start when Barry Richards had his off stump knocked back by David Wright's first ball. John McConnie (31) and Patrick Waithe (19) added 41 for the second wicket but when big-hitting Andy Boyce fell to Wright for two the writing was on the wall.

Wright finished with three for 24 while medium pacer David Hosier snapped up four for 14.

Opener Jeremy Franklin hit 39 as the Leg Trappers coasted to 83 for four in the 32nd over, Barry Walkes taking two for 14.

After Dion Ball (22) and George Holdipp (12) had given North Village a steady start at Warwick Secondary with an opening stand of 37, four wickets tumbled for the addition of three runs and although Haile Melakot chipped in with 21 Village were dismissed for 119.

Left-arm slow bowler Vernon Eve was the pick of the Warriors attack with four for 17 from 12 overs while Blake Simmons took two for 14. Ed Bailey's son, Craig, was less successful, conceding 34 runs in seven overs.

The Warriors slipped to 36 for four but number six batsman Ronald Gibbons led the victory charge, slamming four sixes and four fours in his 52, as the Warriors wrapped up a three-wicket victory in the 26th over. Calvin Grimes and Blake Simmons each made 26. Derek Bell, with four for 49, and Randy Jones (two for nine) were Village's top bowlers.