RYAN HENLEY gave Hampshire golf an early-season shot in the arm when he lifted the 30th Selborne Salver at Blackmoor on Saturday.

The plus-two handicapper from Stoneham carded a two-under 67 in the morning, followed by a 70, to win by one from another Southerner, Ben Harvey of Ferndown (67, 71). For good measure, Hampshire stalwart Martin Young (Brokenhurst Manor) was another shot back, adding a 72 to his 67.

It was 27-year-old Henley's first major victory and as much a testimony to his excellent technique as to his astute management of a course that rewards accuracy and positioning.

"I used my driver only five times all day. I thought if I could hit it well off the tee, I could score well, and that's what happened," said the new champion, whose victory secured him bragging rights over younger brother Darren, now a pro, who was twice runner-up in the Salver.

A member of the county side for five years and Stoneham for 11, Ryan Henley's policy of eliminating errors paid handsome dividends.

"I didn't three-putt or double-bogey all day, but kept it in play and did nothing silly. It was quite cold and there were some interesting pin placements," he said.

His morning 67 wasn't the lowest - that honour fell to John Poulton (Leatherhead) with a 66, while Farnham's Colin Roope was also up there with a 68. But Henley never looked troubled, with halves of 34 and 33, garnished with a splendid eagle at the long eighth, where he hit a four-iron approach to 12 feet.

A true amateur - he is an electronics engineer - Henley is the tournament's third home-grown winner.

Brokenhurst Manor's Jon Young's 69 equalled the afternoon's best, but it followed a 73. Stoneham's Sam Boyes opened with a 76, but redeemed himself with 72, while Lee-on-the-Solent's Sam Hutsby, who opened with a seven, recovered to a 72, but then faded to a 77.

Andy Bow (Stoneham), sixth in 2004, carded two 73s.

Hampshire champion Mark Thistleton (Hayling), hit the ball well but holed nothing all day. His 72, 71 scoreline was matched by Blackmoor's Steve Mitchell.

There were two holes-in-one, both at the ninth. Andy Matthews (Blackmoor) got the first, followed an hour later by James Johnstone (Canon Brook)!