Hambledon will need a helping hand from one of their nearest rivals after losing their unbeaten record in division one of the South Hants Indoor Cricket League.
In a double-header at Fleming Park Leisure Centre at Eastleigh, the Dons made it three wins out of three with a hard-fought two-wicket victory over Southampton Community in the first match.
After bowling out Southampton for just 80 with Chris Stone taking 3-10, Hambledon struggling against some tight bowling, eventually winning in the eleventh over.
They then faced reigning champions Team Solent, already through to this year's Hampshire indoor championships and the final stages of the national university indoor competition.
Racing to 89 for no wicket off the first five overs, Solent then lost five wickets for 132 to give the Dons a fighting chance.
Then upstepped former Hampshire bowler Billy Taylor who hit 54 to set a daunting target of 173.
Despite 41 from Chris Stone and 23 from Cam Prentice, the Dons lost three wickets to direct hit run outs and eventually succumbed to 120 all out.
Hambledon must now beat Sarisbury in their final game and hope Sarisbury beat Solent to have a chance of winning the title.