League title chase on Sunday but their nearest challengers West Indian Association temporarily lost ground when their scheduled game against St Michael was not played.

Forties scrambled to a three-wicket victory over Devonshire Stars to stay five points clear of North Village who coasted to a five-wicket win over eight-man Sandys Sports Club.

Village, who have a game in hand over Forties, have two matches to play and have pencilled in Saturday, August 8, for their crucial make-up fixture against Safeguard Security. The final league games are due to be played the following day.

Safeguard Security raced to an eight-wicket victory over PHC, who played two short, thanks to a five-wicket haul by Frankie Bento and a blistering half century by Shaun Spencer.

New Zealander Terry Ward, batting at No. 4, held up North Village at the Royal Naval Field, hitting three sixes and 10 fours in an unbeaten 75 as Sandys Sports Club totalled 166.

A wretched start saw both North Village openers -- Elliott Pitcher and David Scraders -- run out with only 12 runs on the board. It was the second week running that Pitcher was run out in the opening over without facing a ball.

But Mike Levon, Elliott Jennings and El James regained the initiative to see North Village home and complete the double over the West Enders. Levon, who cracked one five and eight fours in his 65, put on 67 for the third wicket with Jennings (34) and then added 78 for the fourth wicket with James (43).

Forties also completed the double over Devonshire Stars but nearly paid the penalty for overconfidence after dismissing Stars for 71 -- Grant Tomkins took four for 25 -- at Shelly Bay.

Skipper Gordon Campbell switched the batting order around and Forties found themselves struggling at 57 for seven but Gary Edwards (23 not out) and James Thomas (14 not out) saw the leaders home. Robert Dill, Jr. took four for 32.

Bento's season-best five for 35 helped dismiss PHC for 95 at PHC Stadium, Braxton Stowe top-scoring with 37, and then Shaun Spencer thrashed the home attack as Safeguard Security raced home at nearly eight runs an over. Spencer finished unbeaten on 68.

The skippers of West Indian Association and St Michael are asked to send in written reports to league secretary Dave Carruthers explaining why their game at Garrison Field was not played.