LASHINGS All Star World XI tasted defeat for the first time this season after an exciting encounter against Hastings and St Leonards Priory CC.

A scrambled single off the last ball of the match handed Hastings an unlikely victory against a Lashings side full of internationally-renowned names.

Having won the toss and chosen to bat, Lashings made hard work of the early overs on a friendly pitch and lost four wickets, including Shahid Afridi and Junior Murray.

However, the partnership between Sherwin Campbell (45) and skipper Chris Harris (71) brought some much-needed stability to the middle order and put Lashings back into the match.

A quick-fire innings of 49 not out by the West Indian paceman Vasbert Drakes meant Lashings were able to post a respectable total of 215 from their 40 overs.

Hastings lost early wickets as the fearsome pace attack of Drakes and Courtney Walsh tore through the top order’s defences.

But it was the partnership between Tim Eldridge and Jon Hancock that paved the way for victory. They began to accumulate the runs and both men played some superb shots in reaching their half-centuries.

Hancock fell for 51, but Eldridge was not to be denied and continued to punish the bowling of Afridi and Harris, ably supported by the Hastings tail.

The stage was set for a thrilling finish with Hastings requiring seven runs from Drakes’ last over. Fittingly, it was left to Eldridge, who ended unbeaten on 79, to finish the job.