BLACKMOOR’S Mark Burgess had a month to forget playing for Hampshire as the county’s hopes of reaching the Daily Telegraph South East League Final for the second time in three years were dashed.

Firstly he was left as the last man out on the course and lost the last two holes against Harry Mitchell as Hampshire slipped to a rare defeat against their neighbours, losing 7-5 at Ferndown, in the opening match of the South Division season.

And on Sunday he was left as the last man out as Kent gave Hampshire a hiding at North Hants, winning 10-2, the heaviest league defeat suffered by the county in many years.

Burgess teamed up with Rowlands Castle’s Tom Robson in the morning foursomes against Kent’s Laim Burns and former Wee Wonders champion Freddie Price 4&3.

Having lost the singles 3-1, Hampshire needed to win five of the eight singles to even snatch a draw and when playing captain Martin Young and Robson lost in two of the top three matches, the game was up and as word went round the course, heads dropped leaving only Meon Valley’s teenage debutant George Saunders to claim a full point against Tom Jordan with a fine 5&4 win.

Burgess was beaten 2&1 by Dan Brown.