Watford skittled as Francis wreaks havoc
Jamaican Association completed the double over defending Commercial Cricket League champions Leg Trappers while Watford Sports Club were bundled out for their lowest ever score -- 47 -- as fast bowler Stan Francis claimed a seven-wicket haul in West Indian Association's eight-wicket triumph.
Meanwhile, leaders Forties cashed in on the downfall of their title rivals to open up a 13-point gap at the top, skipper Gordon Campbell stroking eight boundaries in an unbeaten 68 to guide them to a narrow two-wicket victory over North Village with nine balls to spare.
Sunday's other match was also a thriller, nine-man St. David's avenging a narrow defeat in the season opener by defeating 10-man Devonshire Stars by two wickets at Garrison Field.
Jamaican Association owed their three-wicket win to all-rounder Simroy Crosdale, although Trappers were convinced they had him caught behind before he unleashed a furious assault with three towering sixes in an unbeaten 39.
Crosdale, batting at number nine, came to the Jamaicans' rescue after they slumped to 97 for six in pursuit of Leg Trappers' 160 for four and, assisted by Courtney Sinclair's unbeaten 15, saw his side home in the 38th over. Slow left-arm arm bowler James Swan, whose appeal against Crosdale for a catch to wicketkeeper Justin Freisenbruch was turned down by umpire Norman Godwin, sent down 17.1 overs, claiming five for 52.
Leg Trappers struggled after being sent in and reached only 30 for two in the first 21 overs, fast bowler Crosdale (one for 32) conceding just nine runs in his opening 10 overs -- seven of them maidens -- but the arrival of Gary Knight improved the run rate.
Knight hammered 56, including seven fours and a six, while Swan made 24 and Graham Strange finished unbeaten on 29, Ralston Wright taking two for 41.
Francis, destroyer-in-chief of 10-man Watford at Shelly Bay with an impressive seven for 21 in 10.2 overs, enabled WIA to gain sweet revenge for an earlier crushing 210-run defeat.
Blake West hit a six -- his side's only boundary -- in a top score of 20 before WIA coasted to 49 for two in 11.4 overs with Barry Richards (22) leading the reply.
Forties needed both of their youngsters to help get the better of North Village at the Royal Naval Field. A second-wicket stand of 61 between Leon Eve (16) and Mike Young (33) and a fifth-wicket partnership of 56 between David Scraders and Mike Levon (20) provided the backbone of Village's 168. Scraders, run out for 50 when he was eighth out at 161, struck four fours and two sixes.
Spinners Braxton Stowe (four for 47 from 13.2 overs) and Harold Minors, who took off the wicket-keeping pads after 28 overs for his first bowling stint in two seasons to claim three for 14, did the bulk of the damage.
Forties were in trouble at 44 for four but a stand of 61 between skipper Campbell and Mark Melvin (23) revived the innings. Although Gerald Simons was sixth out at 139 for 19, Campbell's 12-year-old son David (two) helped his father add 17 and Melvin's son Alexander (three) then featured in an 11-run stand.
Opening bowler Derek Bell grabbed four for 75 from his 18 overs while there were two wickets apiece for Young and Neil Anglin.
Skipper Derek Smith (42), Robert Dill, Jr. (30) and Freddie Simons (23) were the main contributors in the Devonshire Stars total of 155 for eight, Jamie Roberts picking up three for 27 and Henry O'Connor three for 48.
Openers George Cannonier (34) and Lyndon Jackson (23) put on 48 and George O'Brien followed up with 42 but St. David's slipped to 123 for six before Chris Pitcher (17 not out) and Kenny O'Connor (13 not out) clinched victory.
Smith took two for 19 while Worrell Bean picked up two for 76.