SHERBORNE St John golfer Billy Watson sunk the winning putt as Hampshire edged out Surrey in a nail-biting climax to their South East Counties League (South) match at Burhill.

Watson, who is a member of North Hants GC, teamed up with Mark Burgess in the morning foursomes, the pair beating David Corbin and Mark Booker 2&1 as Hampshire raced into a 3.5-0.5 lead.

However, the hosts hit back in the afternoon, winning five of the first six singles matches to go into the lead.

Burgess won his match on the 16th green to level at 5.5-5.5, meaning that the result of Watson's match against Simon Crockett would be decisive.

Watson led by one hole going up the last and having hit the green of the par-four in two, he had two putts to secure the win.

He only needed one of them, holing a slippery 14-foot putt down the hill to win his match two-up and give Hampshire a 6.5-5.5 victory.

The win keeps Hampshire in with a shout of winning the league, but they need Surrey to beat Kent later this month if they are to top the table.