Hampshire have suffered a major blow in the run-up to Sunday's South League final against Berks, Bucks and Oxon at South Beds.

Top player James Knight has pulled out to attend a special family occasion, his gran's 90th birthday.

Hampshire captain Lionel Smith says: "He's been very good this year, one of our best, and we'll miss him."

Knight's withdrawal opens the door for Stoneham-based Hampshire Youth champion Shaun Justice for what will be Smith's last match after a highly successful three-year captaincy.

Under his guidance Hampshire have won their South East League Group three years running. They won the overall title in 2000 and last year shared the Daily Telegraph Trophy with Berks, Bucks and Oxon after the final at Moor Park was rained off.

Hampshire have lost only one SE League match under Smith's captaincy, a group match against Sussex three years ago.

Kevin Weeks, who takes over the captaincy after Sunday's showdown with BB&O, is in the Hampshire team which is made up by his Brokenhurst Manor clubmates, brothers Martin and Jonathan Young, the Stoneham-based brothers Darren and Ryan Henley, their fellow clubman David Porter and David Butwell from Lee-on-the-Solent.

BB&O have been on Hampshire shoulders for two years now in South East Counties Golf and in the regional qualifying round for the English County Championship were just five shots behind them.

"They might have beaten us but for one player who came in with a pair of 76s," smiled Smith, who admitted: "BB&O are very strong up to their number five player. But after that they might have a problem."

As well as being Smith's farewell, it could also be the last time twice Hampshire champion Darren Henley plays for the county. He is planning to turn professional during the winter.