HOT prospect George Long was the star performer for Dorset Colts against their Hampshire counterparts at Royal Winchester.
The 16-year-old Parkstone player shared the spoils with England junior international Jack Singh-Brar in a top-class singles match.
Despite Long’s heroics, the hosts recorded an 8½ to 3½ victory thanks, primarily, to a dominant morning foursomes display.
Long, who was making his colts debut, raced into a three-hole lead against his highly-rated Hampshire opponent.
As expected Singh-Brar hit back in fine style to level the match, but Long held his nerve and matched his opponent’s birdie at the last to secure a draw.
“George is one of county’s best prospects,” said Dorset secretary Ian Hulse. “He has been on South West coaching and has shown a lot of potential.”
Another of Dorset’s young guns, Harry Mann, also got on the scoresheet with an impressive draw with Sam Cranan.
The 17-year-old Ferndown star birdied the last to secure his county half a point.
Dorset’s two singles winners were Bournemouth University player Josh Moses and Dudsbury’s Tom Parsons.
Moses was always in command against Sam Day, winning 4&3, while Parsons produced a stunning tee shot on the penultimate hole to set up a birdie two and a two-hole success against Mark Sawford in the last match.
Hampshire stamped their authority on the contest by winning three of the four foursomes with Fraser Dawson and Billy-Joe Bugden salvaging a draw for the visitors.
“While it was a good win for Hampshire, our players can take heart from their performances. They pushed their opponents all the way and played some very good golf,” added Hulse.
Dorset: Josh Moses (Sherborne), Dominic Knight (Ferndown), Harry Mann (Ferndown), Tom Parsons (Dudsbury), George Long (Parkstone), Oliver Stocks (Dudsbury), Fraser Dawson (Ferndown), Billy-Joe Bugden (Broadstone).
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