DORSET captain Giles Legg has tipped teen star Harry Mitchell as “one to watch” this season.

Mitchell was unbeaten in the county’s 7½ to 4½ defeat against neighbours Hampshire (IoW and Channel Islands) in their South East League curtain-raiser.

The 18-year-old won both his singles and foursomes matches on his home track at Ferndown on Sunday.

“Harry is definitely one to watch for the future,” said Legg. “He is deceptively long off the tee and his iron play against Hampshire was excellent. Most of his approach shots were down the flag.”

Legg and Mitchell forged a winning combination in the morning foursomes, with a 4&3 success over Hampshire’s Mark Sawford and Billy MacKenzie.

And the reigning boys champion eased past the experienced Jon Watt by the same winning margin in the afternoon singles.

As well as heaping praise on his playing partner, Legg also highlighted the difficulty Mitchell faces when playing against his peers.

“Harry works for his dad as a full-time labourer, so is at a disadvantage when he comes up against players of a similar age and ability in the England set-up who play full-time,” said Legg.

Legg and Mitchell’s win was the only foursomes victory for Dorset as they trailed 2½ to 1½ at lunch.

Their half point was earned by Tom Leech and Dan Bishop after the hosts had lost the opening two matches.

Bournemouth University star Bishop went one better in the afternoon by beating MacKenzie 3&2, with Legg collecting the third singles point with a win over Jordan Ainley by the same scoreline.

Legg, who was hampered by the loss of former county champion David Cook with a wrist injury, has made the foursomes his priority ahead of next month’s South West Week.

“We’re getting there with our foursomes play,” said Legg. “We just need to find a way to secure two or two-and-half points, anything less and you need to win five of your eight singles matches which is a big ask.”

Dorset: Sonny Wilkinson (Ferndown), Tom Peacock (Parkstone), Jon Welch (Weymouth), Robert Mabb (Weymouth), Tom Leech (Ferndown), Daniel Bishop (Christchurch), Giles Legg (Ferndown), Harry Mitchell (Ferndown).