HAMPSHIRE’S under-16s golfers were inspired by Europe’s heroics in the Ryder Cup as they went out at the same time as the Sunday singles in Paris to win the South East League for the first time by seeing off the challenge of Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Hampshire beat the East Division winners Suffolk 7-1, but Hertfordshire were much tougher opposition.

The North Division winners held Hampshire to a 4-4 draw, giving manager Wayne Matthews’ team victory after Hertfordshire beat Suffolk 6-2, which left them one game point behind the new champions.

The victory also denied Hertfordshire an under-16s and under-18s South East League double.

South Winchester’s Josh Mulcahy was beaten early in the fifth match only for Hayling’s James Hellyer to level to make it 1-1 almost immediately by winning on the 13th.

But the top four matches were all tight affairs with every one reaching the 17th.

Stoneham’s James Freeman, at the top of the order, won on the last and Bramshaw’s Joe Buenfeld claimed the 17th to go three up to make it 3-1 to Hampshire.

But Hockley’s Tom Chalk and Meon Valley’s Nick Matthews were both beaten 2&1 as Hertfordshire levelled up the scores, only for Barton-on-Sea’s Josh Caffyn to also lose 2&1.

It was left to Liphook’s English Schools South West Champion Sam West to claim the crucial point to take the title with a 3&2 victory in the bottom match against Hertfordshire.