DORSET'S detailed preparation for this year's South East League counted for nothing as Hampshire inflicted a crushing 8-3 defeat in the season's opener at Yeovil.

Disappointed captain John Smith admitted: "Hampshire simply played better than us. Although we lost three singles on the final green, they got the ball closer to the hole and putted better than us.

"We had no excuses for I picked what I considered to be our strongest team. We have done a lot of work this year to prepare for the league and won our four friendly matches.

"We competed well but didn't perform well enough on the day. We have a lot more work to do before South West Counties week next month."

Dudsbury partners Giles Legg and Tom Peacock started with a half in the top foursomes, but the only other success came from county champion Tony Lawrence (Sherborne) and in-form David Cook from Parkstone who beat Martin Young and Darren Henley 2 and 1.

Mark Davies and Dean Barnes suffered a savage 6 and 5 defeat as Hampshire lunched with a 2-1 advantage.

But thoughts of a fightback in the singles evaporated when the first five matches were lost. The wins by Davies and Cook proved to be academic.

Cook, who is playing full time golf this summer, was the side's most successful player and victory over seasoned Alan Mew (Stoneham) was a major scalp. The previous day he was the halfway leader in the 36-hole open at Burnham and Berrow with 70. But a 77 in the afternoon wind left him four shots behind the winner.

Last year, Hampshire started with a 9-2 win over Dorset on their way to winning the league. They were without Kevin Weeks (Brokenhurst Manor) who withdrew on the eve of the match after the death of his father.

Foursomes (1-2): Legg/Pea-cock halved with M Young/But-well, Lawrence/Cook beat J Young/D Henley 2/1, Davies/Bar-nes lost to Mew/R Henley 6/5, Harvey/Thomas lost Knight/Mark-wick 3/2.

Singles (2-6): Tom Peacock (Dud-sbury) lost to Darren Henley 1 hole, Dean Barnes (Ferndown) lost to Martin Young one hole, Rod Thomas (The Dorset) lost to James Knight 6/5, Giles Legg (Dudsbury) lost Ryan Henley 2/1, Tony Lawrence (Sherbne) lost to David Butwell 1 hole, David Cook (Parkstone) beat Alan Mew 2 and 1, Mark Davies (Ferndown) beat Tim Markwick 5/4, Ben Harvey (Ferndown) lost to Jon Young 3/2.