BLACKMOOR’S Colin Roope came close to his first ever Hampshire Order of Merit victory when he finished second in the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy at Brokenhurst Manor on Saturday.

The former Surrey man finished one shot behind Florida State University star Harry Ellis, who carded two 68s.

Roope, who reached the quarter-finals of the Hampshire Amateur Championship on his debut at Hayling in June, was three behind halfway leader Jordan Sundborg, from Shanklin & Sandown, after shooting a 69 before lunch and added a two-under-par 68, matching the lowest second-round score.

Third-placed Sundborg became the first Isle of Wight player to win the Solent Salver for the best 72-hole aggregate after finishing third in the Stoneham Trophy on Sunday.

Surrey captain David Corben, of Hindhead GC, was one of only two players to pick up a point in the afternoon singles as Hampshire crushed his team 91/2-21/2 at Brokenhurst Manor.

Surrey can still win the South Division in the Daily Telegraph South East League if they beat Kent away in their final league match. Hampshire lost their first three games against Dorset, Kent and Sussex.