maintain their 10-point lead at the top of Commercial Cricket League.

Sandys Sports Club shared the points in a tame draw with North Village while Devonshire Stars swapped places with Pembroke United at the foot of the standings with an 80-run victory in Sunday's other matches as the second half of the league programme got under way.

Forties appeared to be heading for defeat when they plunged to 121 for eight in the 33rd over, still 53 runs away from a victory target of 174, but former Nationals teammates Gary Knight and wicketkeeper Neil Speight joined forces to add 50 for the ninth wicket to set up a nail-biting finish.

The pair began the final over from Olwin Clarke needing only four runs for victory. Knight failed to score off the first three balls and then took a single off the fourth to finish with an unbeaten 48 in his first game for the club.

Speight (23) struck the fifth ball well but straight to midwicket where Randolph Byer -- the third WIA substitute on the field after Shawn Spencer, Jerry Callender and skipper Ken Savoury left because of other commitments -- took the catch.

Ivan Clifford came in to face the final ball but could manage only a single as Forties finishing on 172 for nine.

Earlier WIA found batting a difficult proposition when they were sent in on a damp Nationals pitch and Forties grabbed four wickets in the first session, Speight taking three catches off skipper Gordon Campbell (three for 46).

But opener Patrick Hamlett, surviving an early chance to long leg, frustrated Forties and went on to make 79 before he was stumped off slow bowler James Thomas who took six for 47 in a fine 12-over spell. Hamlett struck 12 fours and faced 90 balls.

Randy Liverpool had Forties in a spin too as the league leaders lost six wickets for 50 runs after reaching a comfortable 71 for two in 19 overs.

Liverpool's leg breaks accounted for opener Gary Edwards (36), Simon Brown (30), Gerald Simons -- out to a spectacular one-handed catch at mid-wicket by Clarke -- and Campbell to finish with four for 67 from a marathon 15-over spell.

Clarke followed up his breezy 24 which contained a six and four fours by taking three for 38 in 16 overs.

The bat dominated the ball at the Royal Naval Field where Sandys maintained their fine League Cup form by piling up 258 for six. Village replied strongly with 195 for five.

Leon Dickinson led the way for Sandys with three sixes and seven fours in his 89 from 109 balls but it was the explosive batting of fellow opener Paul Ross which set the game alight.

Carrying on where he left off the previous week with a thunderous 72 against Forties in the League Cup, Ross hammered 54 from 26 balls with seven sixes and a four.

Skipper Terry Corday (38), Terry Ward (32) and Michael Corday (22) all made useful contributions but Village hit back to dash Sandys' victory hopes.

Elliott Jennings followed up his three for 35 by clouting 65 from 34 balls with seven sixes and four fours and Mike Levon hit six fours in his 50 but Village found the stiff target beyond them and settled for a draw. Michael Corday took off his wicketkeeper's gloves to take two for 20 from five overs.

Swashbuckling Harold Minors hit his second consecutive half century since joining Devonshire Stars. Minors hit two sixes and six fours in his 52 while Worrell Bean made 43, the pair providing the backbone for the Stars total of 190 at Garrison Field.

Michael Campbell (four for 41) and Legay Cannonier (four for 49) took the bowling honours but Pembroke's batting collapsed against skipper Gary Ascento (four for 48) and Gordie Hollis (three for 27) and were dismissed for 110, Thomas Ball top scoring with 25.