Commercial Cricket League, despite playing two short against North Village, but Forties stayed on the leaders' heels after a nail-biting last-over win against Jamaican Association.

Defending champions Leg Trappers lost further ground in the title race when they slumped to a surprise 29-run defeat against St. David's -- but the east enders are certain to lose the points after admitting playing an ineligible player, teenager Angelo Cannonier.

Cannonier, a medium pace bowler who made eight and took two for 46 from 14 overs in Sunday's victory at Garrison Field, broke a Commercial League rule, having played the first two matches of the season for St. David's Premier side, even though he failed to take a wicket against Young Men's Social Club and Flatts on May 7 and 14, returning respective figures of 0-33 and 0-34.

Leg Trappers have seven days in which to file a protest against St. David's, who have broken the same Commercial League rule in the past. Last night a spokesman said Leg Trappers, who trail Watford by 17 points, were considering an appeal.

An apologetic Eddie Lamb, who skippered St. David's, said: "I had no idea Angelo had played for the first team this season. We were short and he was there.

"I should have asked him. As an army man I have to assume full responsibility.

"Lesson learned -- it won't happen again,'' added Lamb.

Despite missing six of their key players, who were away in the United States on an annual golf trip, Watford completed a comfortable three-wicket victory at Shelly Bay in a match punctuated by arguments.

Only Mike Levon, who hit three boundaries in his 40, made an impression among the top order as medium pacer Blake West weighed in with four for 25 from 10 overs, Village slumping to 39 for six before Wendell Lindsay (16) and Derek Bell (17) led a recovery.

Village were eventually dismissed for 119 with Andrew Paynter and Terry Ward chipping in with two wickets apiece but an unbeaten half century by opener Ward and 21 not out by West steered the west enders to victory in 33 overs, the pair sharing a sixth-wicket stand of 39.

Chris Caisey (three for 37) and Young, who took two for 26, were the pick of the Village attack.

Ward, who hit four boundaries in his 52, had an early scare when he survived an appeal for a run out. The Village fielders were convinced he was out but West, who was umpiring at square leg at the time, ruled the ball had not been taken cleanly.

Earlier, Young was also involved in controversy when he survived an appeal for a catch to wicketkeeper Granville Bennett in West's opening over but at the end of the over after heated arguments he gave himself out and walked off.

"I can't believe it,'' said Village's Lindsay afterwards. "They had only nine men but our early order let us down.'' The game at Nationals between Forties and Jamaican Association was reduced to 40 overs a side following a delay until 1.36 p.m. after the pitch, which had been unprepared, was hurriedly watered and rolled.

Having been sent in, Jamaican Association began brightly but the run out of skipper Norman Godwin for 14 triggered a collapse which saw his side slump to 45 for six. Courtney Sinclair masterminded a fightback with an unbeaten 37 which pushed the total up to 129 for nine.

Skipper Gordon Campbell, who bowled throughout, claimed four for 32 from 20 overs while fellow opening bowler Brian Holdipp took three for 46.

Opener Harold Minors smashed two sixes in a quickfire 22 in a stand of 29 with Alleyne Francis (13) before falling to a stinging catch at short midwicket by Simroy Crosdale.

Braxton Stowe set up victory for Forties, who found batting equally difficult, with a knock of 40, which included three fours and a six, but when he was bowled at 114 for five it needed an unbeaten 24 from unruffled skipper Campbell to guide Forties, who needed three to win at the start of last over, home with two balls to spare and four wickets in hand.

St. David's, who won the toss, compiled a steady 134 for eight with the main contributions coming from Ken O'Connor (25), Otis Minors (23) and skipper Lamb (21). James Swan snapped up four for 22 from 13 overs while Huw Williams took two for 18 on his seasonal debut.

James Broadbent made 23 but Leg Trappers slumped from 63 for three to 105 all out -- 36 of them extras, including 20 wides.

Randy Swan, with three for 10, struck a major blow when he bowled top batsman Graham Strange, who shouldered arms, for five. The innings closed when David Hosier called for a suicidal run and Jason Flaxbeard was run out with four overs left. Cecil Pitcher took two for eight.