Sandys Sports Club made it two wins in a row with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Safeguard Security while a century opening stand between Elliott Pitcher and Dean Pitcher spurred St. David's to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Pembroke United.

Sunday's other Commercial Cricket League match between North Village and Forties ended in the tamest of draws, reducing Forties' lead at the top to five points.

Ian Coke narrowly missed out on a century when he was dismissed for 96 as Pembroke United reached a respectable 229 for seven at Lord's but St. David's made light of their task with 54-year-old skipper Elliott Pitcher and his hard-hitting cousin Dean laying the foundation for victory with a first-wicket stand of 114.

Coke, who hammered three sixes and 16 fours, was bowled by Elliott Pitcher (two for 40) in the first over of his second spell as he was poised to become the league's second century-maker of the season, West Indian Association's Andy Boyce having struck an unbeaten 132 against Pembroke on the opening day.

Other useful contributions to the Pembroke total came from Tony Jones, who made 33 in his first game for the club, former Forties player Rowan Ramotar (29) and Junior Lindo (24). George Cannonier was the pick of the St. David's attack with three for 77.

Elliott Pitcher's chanceless unbeaten 67 -- "I had to put my head down and bat,'' he said -- included six fours while in-form Dean Pitcher clouted four sixes and five fours in his 63, St. David's eventually coasting to victory as Pembroke slid to their third consecutive defeat.

"Sloppy fielding cost us the game,'' said Pembroke spokesman Glen Barrett.

"We gave up 30-odd extras. We're making more runs each week but we couldn't defend the total. The team are still in good spirits.'' Safeguard Security, who have played short in their last two matches, reached 179 for eight at the Royal Naval Field but the early departure of bus driver Philip Bailey left Safeguard with only nine fielders and the handicap proved too great as Sandys Sports Club eased home with three overs to spare.

The match was reduced to 40 overs-a-side because of a late start but Safeguard gave a good account of themselves as Barry Walkes hit a six and five fours in his 46 while Alex Virgil also hit six boundaries in his 33. Bailey made 23.

Sandys lost Paul Ross, back after a season's absence, for a duck as 16-year-old pace bowler Kalvin Charles knocked out his middle stump but fellow opener Ray DeSilva and number three Terry Ward quickly took control.

DeSilva, who finished unbeaten on 80 with 10 fours, added 86 for the second wicket with Ward and an unbroken 73 for the fourth wicket with David DeSilva.

Ward hit a six and eight fours in his 54 while left-hander David DeSilva followed up his three for 42 with 25 not out.

Without skipper Gordon Campbell, who was off the Island, Forties' modest attack restricted North Village to 53 without loss in the first hour at Shelly Bay but conceded 101 runs in the last 14 overs as Village, led by Ernest Paynter's swashbuckling 53, closed at 214 for seven -- a total that proved well out of the reach of Forties who closed at 138 for five.

Paynter, who batted at number six, hammered a six and six fours.

Earlier Gerald Bean, who made 35, featured in an opening stand of 65. His partner Mike Young had to retire on eight with a pulled hamstring but returned later to make 43. Number three Dion Ball helped provide the platform for Paynter's assault by chipping in with 32.

Forties lost opener Mark Melvin at 31 and Peter Borland at 51 -- out to the first of two fine catches by David Scraders -- in the 15th over and the league leaders became bogged down, adding only 30 runs in the next 15 overs.

Opener Gary Edwards, who glanced the first ball of the innings for four, was fifth out at 108 in the 37th over for 41 before Leon Dickinson provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 30.

Teams who played each on the first day of the season will meet again on Sunday. The games have been brought forward from July 2 to enable Sandys to get their second bye in a month as most of their players will be away on a US golf tour.