Forties completed a hat-trick of wins to go 10 points clear at the top of the Commercial Cricket League as defending champions North Village had the day off.

Forties beat West Indian Association by six wickets while Hamilton Parish and Jamaican Association ? boosted by the return of all-rounder David Gibbs who has shuttled between JA and Somerset for several seasons ? also notched up victories.

Parish, crushed by Forties in the first round of league matches, enjoyed their second successive win by beating Fine Leg Byes by 55 runs while 10-man Western Stars succumbed in pathetic fashion against Jamaican Association, losing by 10 wickets in quick order.

WIA, who have been struggling for players this season, fielded a full side at the Royal Naval Field but were dismissed for 117 in the 34th over after being sent in by Forties.

Skipper Jerry Callender top scored for WIA with six boundaries in his 41-ball knock of 37 while former shot and discus star Derrick Golding hammered 24, including two fours and two sixes from 11 balls.

But David DeSilva, who played on the ground for many years for Sandys Sports Club (later Watford Sports Club), held the upper hand, claiming four for 24 from 11 overs. Skipper Gordon Campbell and in-form opening bowler Blake West, who has claimed 13 wickets at a cost of 5.92 runs each, chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Forties reached their victory target in the 32nd over as opener Braxton Stowe made 27 and Mark Melvin 26 not out, including five boundaries, from 28 balls.

Chris Weeks was WIA?s most successful bowler with two for 20 from five overs. Wicketkeeper Chris Clarke had a hand in all four dismissals with two catches and two stumpings.

Hamilton Parish maintained their improved form at Shelly Bay where they ran up 160 for seven in their allotted 42 overs and then dismissed Fine Leg Byes for 105 in 28 overs.

Frederick Simons (45) and Mike Burgess (20) laid the foundation for Parish?s competitive total by adding 52 for the first wicket while number four Cal Burgess also scored 45 and skipper Irving Burgess made 20. Prison officer Craig Smith was FLB?s best bowler with three for 20 from nine overs.

Only skipper Ishwar Narayanan (24) and Troy Berkeley (22) offered any resistance as FLB tumbled to their second successive defeat, Curtis Lee claiming four for 24 from eight overs while former North Village player Neil (Diamond) Robinson polished off the tail with four for 34 from six. Chris Caisey, another former Village player, took two for 30 from eight.

?We?re getting it together now,? said club spokesman Danika Gibbons. ?The players just wish they could play the first game (against Forties) over again.?

Western Stars, who turned up without a ball ? they were lent one by their opponents ? and team kit, mustered just 23, including four ducks, from 18.5 overs at Garrison Field against Jamaican Association, who needed only three overs to claim a lopsided victory as teenagers Ian Coke jr made 10 and Kenneth Williams 14 in their 25 without loss.

Shimori Gilbert made eight and Malcolm Woodley seven for Stars who were dismantled by skipper Junior Lindo (three for two), Gibbs (two for one), Coke (two for two) and Tony Parks (two for eight).

The Commercial League has decided to postpone its scheduled July 9 matches until August 27 to allow players to watch the final of football?s World Cup in Germany. The first round of the knockout has been pushed back to September 3.