Hampshire’s Colts team produced a stirring singles display to claim a come-from-behind victory over Essex in their league final.

The under-21 side faced a 2.5-1.5 deficit after the morning foursomes in the showdown with the northern division winners from England Golf’s South Eastern Group.

But it was the southern division champions who triumphed, dominating the singles 6.5-1.5 to earn an 8-4 victory overall and win the trophy outright for the first time since 1997.

Manager Neil Dawson had watched his team get off to a good start in the foursomes, as Rowlands Castle’s Tom Robson and Brokenhurst Manor’s Ryan Harmer joined forces to secure a 4&3 win, but there were 2&1 defeats for North Hants pair Charlie Manning and Billy Watson, and Hayling’s Ben Wall and Corhampton’s Sam Day.

The key result, though, was Corhampton duo Scott Gregory and debutant Adam Reid claiming a critical half, fighting back from three down with three to play against England ace Bobby Keeble and Arthur Leonard.

A proud Dawson said: “The momentum Scott and Adam gave us going into the afternoon was huge.”

The top two singles matches then went Hampshire’s way, with Robson beating Essex talisman Keeble 1up, while Gregory romped to a 4&3 success. Harmer, on debut, lost 5&4, but Day won 2up and Reid 1up.

Manning fought back for a half, while there were comeback wins in the final pair of matches for Watson (2&1) and Wall (4&2).