JAMES KNIGHT made a triumphant return to the amateur ranks, winning both his foursomes and singles matches to help Hampshire beat Dorset 8-3 in the first of their South East Counties League matches at Yeovil.

The Sandford Springs golfer turned professional after Hampshire won the EGU County Championship at Woodhall Spa five years years.

But the former England international left golf altogether after missing out on his European Tour card. Now he's back as an amateur and with Tim Markwick enjoyed a 3&2 foursomes win over win over Rob Thomas and Ben Harvey then kept up his winning form with a thumping 6&5 win over Thomas in the singles.

Hampshire dominated the afternoon with young David Butwell (Lee-on-Solent), who came into the side as a late replacement for former English amateur champion Kevin Weeks who withdrew because of a family bereavement, winning one up against Tony Lawrence.

Results (Hampshire names first):

Foursomes: J Young & D Butwell halved with G Legg and T Peacock, M Young & D Henley lost to T Lawrence & D Cook 2&1, J Knight & T Markwick beat R Thomas & B Harvey 3&2, R Henley & A Mew beat M Davies and D Barnes 6&5.

Singles: D Henley beat Peacock 1 up: M Young beat Barnes 1 up; Knight beat Thomas 6&5, R Henley beat Legg 2&1; Butwell beat Lawrence 1 up; Markwick lost to Davies 5&4; Mew lost to Cook 3&2; J Young beat Harvey 3&2.