DEFENDING champions Hampshire, hit by the loss of three top players, suffered their first South-East League defeat for three years when they lost to Kent at Royal St George's.

There was just a point in it at the end as Hampshire, without Martin Young, David Porter and James Knight, went down fighting by 6.5 matches to 5.5.

With the trio away playing in the Hampshire Hog, new captain Kevin Weeks gave Stoneham veteran Richard Elmes his league debut and recalled Channel Islander Bobby Eggo.

It proved a tough baptism for county champion Elmes who paired up with Eggo in the foursomes and suffered a 5&3 defeat against Danny Curtis and Steven Mitchell. It got no easier for Elmes in the singles when he fell 6&5 to Jason Williams.

MATCH DETAILS (Hamsphire names first)

Foursomes: Ryan Henley & Andy Bow lost to Stuart Wilson & James Edwards 4 & 3, Jon Young & Kevin Weeks beat Jason Williams & Nick Olson 5 & 3, David Butwell & Tim Markwick beat Alan Price & Shaun Pilbeam 5 & 3, Bobby Eggo & Richard Elmes lost to Danny Curtis & Steven Mitchell 5 & 3. Singles: Henley lost to Wilson 3 & 2, Weeks beat Edwards 7 & 5, Butwell halved with Pilbeam, Young beat Mitchell 3 & 2, Eggo beat Olson by one hole, Bow lost to Price by one hole, Elmes lost to Williams 6 & 5, Markwick lost to Curtis 4 & 3.