after beating rivals Forties by two wickets in a thrilling finish.

North Village, who ended the first half of the season in joint top spot with Forties, were left kicking their heels after their scheduled game against Safeguard Security was postponed when the captains decided Malabar was unfit for play because of long grass in the outfield.

Defending champions PHC lost further ground in the title race when they were held to a draw by 10-man Sandys Sports Club while Devonshire Stars secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over St Michael.

WIA owed their last-over victory at Shelly Bay to their skipper and man of the match Jerry Callender who jolted Forties with a five-wicket haul and then foiled them with an unbeaten innings of 20.

Skipper Gordon Campbell (41) and Grant Tomkins (37) put on 75 for the first wicket but Campbell's dismissal in the 22nd over triggered a collapse in which nine wickets went down for 71 runs as Callender scythed through the batting with five for 33 from 15 overs, Forties closing at 152 for nine.

Opener John McConnie gave WIA a flying start with 55 from 51 balls, including eight boundaries, but his dismissal in the 14th over with the total 66 saw Forties fight their way back into the game.

Wickets tumbled and when Randy Liverpool, limping badly after being struck on the foot from a Campbell straight drive earlier, was eighth out at 140 a Forties victory still looked on the cards.

But Callender nursed his side home. With the scores level at the start of the final over, he edged the first ball for two to fine leg.

PHC recovered from 121 for seven against Sandys Sports Club at PHC Stadium in a game reduced to 35 overs a side because of heavy rain to reach 209 for nine, number 10 batsman Ty Williams striking four sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 49.

Williams added 77 for the ninth wicket with Gerald Bean, who made 34. Paul Ross (44) and Michael Corday (34) raised the 50 in seven overs and put on 68 for the first wicket but when they went Sandys were happy to settle for a draw, closing at 114 for six. Slow bowler Braxton Stowe took three for 10.

St Michael and Devonshire Stars reduced their match to 40 overs a side at nearby Warwick Secondary but the quota was not required as Stars dismissed St Michael for 103 in 37 overs and then knocked off the runs in 27.5 overs.

Gary Peniston undermined the St Michael innings, in which David Gibbs top-scored with 31, by taking five for 28 in 14 overs.

Rain prevented a result in the First Division match between Southampton and St. David's played on Saturday at Southampton Oval.

St. David's made 112 with Reginald Pitcher making 49. Lyndon Raynor captured five for eight for Rangers while Calix Todd took three wickets. Rangers were eight for one at the close.