Hambledon were left heartbroken after defeat by one run at the hands of Hook & Newnham Basics.
After losing the toss and watching the first ball split the two slips and race away for four, the visitors feared the worst.
Hook skipper Ben Thane, who had nicked that first delivery from Cameron Prentice, raced to 50 before some intelligent bowling from off-spinners JJ Brown, James Atkinson and James Scutt put the brakes on.
Will Mann followed the good work up before some decent death bowling from Prentice and skipper Dan Hewitt restricted the hosts to 279 - a fine effort considering 340 looked possible at one point.
After tea, the Dons came out positively with Joe Collings-Wells (54) and Scutt enjoying a pacy opening stand.
Hewitt and Rob Atkins (33) then continued the good work in the face of some decent spin bowling before the latter was caught behind.
Fourteen-year-old Brown (18) joined his captain and they kept up with the asking rate as they game neared its nailbiting climax.
Hewitt looked to be taking the game away from Hook but when he was dismissed for a brilliant 84 - with 34 runs needed off 36 balls - the hosts' hopes were boosted.
The Dons were still in the driving seat when they needed 21 off 24 but they could only muster nine runs from the next 18 deliveries leaving 12 required off the last over.
That number was halved before the final ball when, needing a six for victory, Rory Prentice struck a one-bounce four.
Hewitt said: 'It was a great display of Hambledon spirit was testament to the young talent in the side. It was one of the best matches I have ever played in.'