SHERBORNE St John golfer Billy Watson helped Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands to qualify for the English County Finals.

Hampshire looked set to miss out after a disappointing morning session at the South East Qualifier, held at Hendon, but a strong afternoon performance saw them come from behind to reach the finals for the fifth time in nine years.

Watson had a nightmare on the final hole of the morning session. Having found a greenside bunker with his approach, the North Hants member splashed out into a flower bush.

With nowhere suitable to drop the ball, he had to return to the sand, but he failed to extricate himself at the first time of asking and ended up taking a card-wrecking eight, completing an eight-over-par round of 78.

None of the Hampshire players had really hit form in the morning and the team found themselves 33-over-par at lunch, nine shots adrift of leaders Essex.

However, they were able to raise their game in the afternoon, with solid rounds from Martin Young, Billy McKenzie and Harry Ellis giving them a chance of making up the deficit.

Watson, whose father and coach Scott played on the European Tour in the 1980s and is now a professional at Dummer Golf Club, played much better in the afternoon session.

The 19-year-old made an excellent eagle three at the par-five eighth on the way to posting a level-par second round of 70, eight shots better than he had managed before lunch.

Corhampton's Scott Gregory completed the job, shooting a two-under-par round of 68 to guide Hampshire to the final, the team having played 24 shots better in the afternoon than they had before lunch.

In the end, Hampshire qualified comfortably, finishing eight shots ahead of second-placed Kent and nine ahead of Essex to reach the finals, which will take place at Wychwood Park, near Crewe, in September.

Watson also helped Hampshire to a crushing 10½-1½ victory over Sussex in a Daily Telegraph South Eastern Group League match at Blackmoor.

Watson partnered Harry Ellis (Meon Valley) to a 4&3 victory over Tom Bailey and David Tulley as Hampshire completed a 4-0 whitewash in the morning foursomes.

He then hammered Josh Glossop 6&5 in the afternoon singles, helping Hampshire to a crushing victory that boosted their chances of qualifying for the final stages.