Sussex's young side lost their opening SE Counties League match to Hampshire 7.5-4.5 at Brokenhurst when four of the games went to the 18th.

County captain Colin Wells said: "The new boys lacked team experience but will be very good in the future."

In the top singles Kevin Weeks was untouchable, beating Craig McCollum 3 & 2 and going on to card a 62.

Michael Lindfield, the Seaford 16-year-old, will never forget his county debut as he was five up on Ryan Henley, only to lose on the last hole.

"The result was a lot closer than it looks on paper," said Wells. Hampshire have a very experienced side and it told.

"Coming up we have two very tough matches against Surrey and Kent at Crowborough and Royal Ashdown and we are looking to field an experienced team linked with local knowledge."

Results, (foursomes), Hampshire names first: Kevin Weeks & Jon Young beat Craig McCollum & Tom Coulson, two up; Ryan Henley & Richard Elmes beat Nic Griffin & Jack Budgen, two up; Bobby Eggo & Andy Bow halved with Craig Newman & Michael Lindfield; Mark Thistleton & Tim Markwick lost to Arwel Roberts & Wayne Hawes, one hole.

Singles: Weeks beat McCollum 3 & 2; Henley beat Lindfield, one up; Eggo lost to Budgen 3 & 2; Young beat Newman 3 & 2; Bow lost to Griffin 3 & 2; Markwick lost to Coulson 2 & 1; Thistleton beat Hawes, one up.