NEWLY-crowned Dorset strokeplay champion Ben Harvey has won back his place in the county team after impressing captain Iain Donnelly during a pre-season friendly.

The Ferndown star played a leading role in Dorset’s 7½ to 7½ draw with The Army at Dorset Golf and Country Club by winning his foursomes match with Tom Leech and drawing his afternoon singles game.

“We used the match to see how Ben would react to the pressure of leading the team out at number one,” explained Donnelly.

“He hasn’t featured in the first team recently, but responded well to the challenge and deserves his place in the eight-man team to face Hampshire this weekend.”

Dorset kick-off their South East League campaign with a tough away trip to Hampshire at Stoneham on Sunday.

“I rate Hampshire as one of the top two counties in the country, so it’s a tough test,” added Donnelly.

“Our first two games are away to Hampshire and Kent, so if we can get something out of those two fixtures it will set us up nicely for the remaining home games against Sussex and Surrey.”

Dorset, meanwhile, secured a draw against The Army thanks to two late singles wins from Lloyd Walton and Roan Smith. Other winners were Donnelly and Matt Walker.

Dorset team to play Hampshire: Tony Lawrence (Sherborne), Ben Harvey (Ferndown), Kevin Garwood (Ferndown), David Norton (Parkstone), David Cook (Parkstone), Mark Davies (Ferndown), Tom Leech (Ferndown), Andy Windsor (Ferndown).