Kerry Smith put down a Curtis Cup marker after completing a hat-trick of Hampshire Ladies' County Championship successes last week.

The 34-year-old impressed at Stoneham Golf Club throughout the medal and matchplay stages of the tournament, culminating in a thrilling final victory over defending champion Elizabeth Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor).

Delighted with her form and triumph, the Waterlooville golfer said: "It's nice to be the leading lady in Hampshire again, although credit to Elizabeth as she was a very tough opponent.

"I was really happy with my game all week and it's a boost to play nicely in both the medal and matchplay formats."

The event carried English Ladies' Golf Association order of merit ranking points and while the list does not determine Curtis Cup selection for the eight-woman Great Britain and Ireland team to take on the USA in Oregon at the end of July, it is one of the main factors taken into consideration when picking the side.

And if Smith can maintain her momentum at the English Ladies' Close Amateur Championship at West Lancashire Golf Club next week and the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at Royal County Down (Northern Ireland) next month, the plus two-handicapper will be right in the frame to make the Oregon trip.

Smith added: "Elizabeth and myself played good golf in the final so I'm looking forward to the challenge of the close amateur and the British Open, after which the team will be announced.

At Stoneham, a Smith versus Bennett showdown always looked on the cards after the pair led Wednesday's 36-hole matchplay qualifier.

Smith returned rounds of 74 and 70 to lead the 16 qualifiers, while Bennett was three shots worse off as the number two in the log after scores of 73 and 74.

Both won their Friday morning matchplay semi-finals 1up before going head-to-head for the title over 18 holes in the afternoon.

Scratch handicapper Bennett took first blood at the third hole to go one up, but Smith levelled matters with a birdie response at the next.

Another hole did not change hands until the ninth, which Smith again took with a birdie.

Another birdie at the 12th doubled Smith's advantage but her Brokenhurst Manor opponent was not finished and pulled back to only one down by claiming the 16th.

Bennett's birdie putt to win the 17th shaved the hole and Smith closed out the match by hitting her second shot to the par-five 18th to 15 feet.

MATCHPLAY RESULTS

First round: Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) beat Sue Pickles (Lee-on-the-Solent) 1up, Chris Stirling (Meon Valley) bt Jenny Deeley (La Moye) 6&4, Helen Wheeler (Hockley) bt Fiona Khan (Hockley) 4&3, Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) bt Katie Mundy (Dunwood Manor) 4&3, Olivia Higgins (Royal Jersey) bt Elaine Hutchings (Stoneham) 3&2, Kelly Travers (Alresford) bt Alex Mollin (La Moye) 2&1, Annabel Silk (Corhampton) bt Katie Thompson (Corhampton) 3&2, Elizabeth Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) bt Katy Oliver (Brokenhurst Manor) 6&5.

Quarter-finals: Smith bt Stirling 7&6, Wheeler bt Boyes at 19th, Higgins bt Travers 3&2, Bennett bt Silk at 20th.

Semi-finals: Smith bt Wheeler 1up, Bennett bt Higgins 1up.

Final: Smith bt Bennett 2up.