It had been said that Nationals lone chance at victory in their Central Counties first round match against Western Stars on Saturday stood with the coin toss and after losing even that option it was all downhill for the challengers.

In the end a 10 wicket defeat was the result, one which was all too predictable as the Devonshire club were simply out of their league for this contest.

With Nationals depleted by the loss of front-line batsmen Jason Lewis and Mark Ray together with leading strike bowler David Gibbs, the writing on the wall was clear -- it would take a miracle to unseat a championship Stars outfit which might have been mistaken for a Bermuda Select.

None was forthcoming as Nationals were sent in to bat and were soon in trouble at 10-for-two, with Quinn Outerbridge (three) and Brendon Woolridge (zero) back in the pavilion, each falling to the pace of Allan Brangman.

A brief revival occurred as top scorer Dennis Trott (30) and Alan Corcoran (seven) moved the total to 47 before Trott was induced into skying a catch to Arnold Manders off Treadwell Gibbons.

Corcoran followed two runs later, caught behind by Anthony Manders off brother Arnold.

It was then time for Hasan Durham to take over, as the leg spinner routed the middle and late order, seizing five wickets at a cost of 28 runs from 9.5 overs.

Other than Trott, only two batsmen achieved double figures, Michael Campbell (15) and David Wright (10). For Stars -- aside from Durham -- Brangman and Manders ended with two scalps apiece, while Gibbons claimed one.

Victory was achieved in 27.2 overs without the loss of any wickets as Gibbons stroked a classy 51 that included five fours and Albert Steede stood at 38 not out.