HAMPSHIRE captain Kevin Weeks remarkably begins his 31st year in the county team when they open up their South East League campaign against Dorset at Liphook on Sunday.

"I'm still waiting for a few more youngsters to come along and knock me out of it," smiled the Brokenhurst Manor veteran, "but right now I'm in there on merit.

"The day I stop playing well, I'll stand aside. Apart from the odd twinge from an old back injury, I'm still enjoying it."

Weeks confirmed that he's still in the groove with fourth place in the recent Courage Trophy. The men who finished in front of him, 16-year-old winner Sam Hutsby, Ryan Henley and Mark Thistleton, are all selected for the Dorset clash.

Henley won the prestigious Selbourne Salver and Martin Young, another influential member of the side, got a top ten in the West of England Championship at Saunton.

"It's good that our leading players have started the new season strongly," says Weeks.

"Last year we lost out to Dorset in our opening fixture and it cost us the league title. And it happened the previous year as well when we missed out on countback. So we've got to be much quicker out of the blocks on Sunday.

Hampshire team: Weeks, M Young, J Young & J Watt (Brokenhurst Manor), R Henley, A Bow (Stoneham)), S Hutsby (Lee-on-the-Solent), M Thisleton (Hayling).