HASTINGS River bowed out of the SCG Country Shield race as Ballina proved too strong at Coffs Harbour.
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Ballina chased down Hastings' 222 with a few wickets left to spare at Coffs Harbour International Stadium, but the Port-based side certainly wasn't disgraced.
Hastings took quick, early wickets to have Ballina in trouble at 5-70, before Sam Adams came in to swing the match back into Ballina's favour.
"He scored 90 off about 30 off [balls]," Hastings team manager Nathan Kerr said.
Ballina eventually chased the total down in 39.3 overs.
Adam Eckermann, Kyle Bray and captain Andrew Glover took wickets to give the Hastings team some hope.
The team knew it would be up against it from the start though, Kerr said.
"From all reports, they are a strong side," he said.
Earlier, Glover top-scored with 64 and Nathan's brother Sam Kerr chipped in with 41.
Nathan Kerr said the team was always going to struggle to defend that total.
"It was probably a bit short," he said.
The next match for the team is set down for February against Macleay.