Two outstanding second-half solo goals by teenager Alex Bennett enabled Winchester to thwart a determined Hamble rally in an opening day 4-2 Hampshire/Surrey Regional League win at King's School.

Bennett, 18, scored Winchester's second and points-clinching fourth goal either side of a fightback by Hamble which might have brought tangible rewards but for a penalty stroke miss.

Winchester, currently without a touchline coach, called the tune in the opening period and created danger from their seven first-half penalty corners.

Jo Roggerio and Bennett both went close either side of Mark Dobbie's 25th minute opener from the sixth of Winchester's penalty corners injected by Adie Adams.

Craig Falkingham's agility denied Duncan Marsh on the stroke of half-time and, when Bennett scored the first of his two individualist goals five minutes after the break, it looked black for Hamble.

But, under the watchful eye of coach Wael Badawi - an Olympian for Egypt in Barcelona - Hamble battled back.

Rory Marsh, a 17-year old who had a powerful game at right-half, jinked past four defenders to narrow Winchester's lead.

Then Falkingham sent Steve Barber sprawling on the edge of the D to set up a potential Hamble penalty stroke equaliser.

Alas, Duncan Marsh, not at his best from the mark this season, shot too close to Falkingham, who beat out the penalty to reaffirm Winchester's 2-1 lead.

The miss was to prove costly as Andy Winnett, in his competitive debut since signing from relegated Andover, fired Winchester 3-1 ahead after a move down the left.

Hamble bounced back with a waspish drag flick reply by Duncan Marsh, but any hopes the visitors had of a point were shattered when the lively Bennett sped upfield and crashed home a superb reverse stick fourth.

Hamble did, at least, beat Winchester 2-0 in the Regional 2nd XI League - Mark Sandell scoring both goals.

Four-goal Wayne Shepherd led the way as Trojans christened their new Stoneham Lane pitch with a 5-0 win over Basingstoke.

"Wayne was a constant threat from set pieces and scored three of his four goals from those situations," revealed Trojans skipper Campbell Williams.

"The pick of his goals, though, was the one from open play - a fine individual run right through the Basingstoke defence."

Colin French got the other goal and, along with Matt Sykes, had a fine game up front.

Williams had a word of praise for three Trojans newcomers - Greig Stewart, Martin King and Chris Wiseman.

Trojans completed the double over Basingstoke in the Regional 2nd XI League, with James Barrett and Rob Burton scoring the goals in a 2-1 win at Down Grange. Mike Brazier was the pick of the young Trojans side.

Southampton hung on to beat Hampshire League rivals Fleet 6-5 - after being 5-1 up at one stage!

Bill Ashworth and Chris Stokes gave Southampton a 2-1 interval lead - Fleet having run them ragged for 25 minutes but scoring only once.

Southampton scored three times in quick succession through Ollie Knight (2) and Ashworth, but faded badly as Fleet hit four more goals to draw level.

A sixth by Stokes gave Southampton their eventual 6-5 win.