BLACKMOOR Golf Club members put up a strong showing in the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy at Brokenhurst Manor on Saturday, but could not stop Tom Robson from becoming just the fifth player in 25 years to complete the Solent Slam (writes Andrew Griffin).

County captain Colin Roope, who was runner-up to Harry Ellis in the competition two years ago, and Blackmoor clubmates Ben Lobacz and Sam Parsons were in the mix after 18 holes in the New Forest.

But it was Rowlands Castle’s Robson, the defending champion, who was one clear of Hindhead’s David Corben after a two-under par 68 before lunch.

Robson’s first round included four birdies and only Stoneham’s former Hampshire Boys champion, Alex Talbot, matched his two-under total.

Lobacz, who had a top-10 finish in last month’s Hampshire Open at Hayling, was one back, while Parsons and Spanish Amateur champion Billy McKenzie carded level-par 70s and Roope a 71.

Robson got to the turn in one-over, but the 27-year-old, who is now assistant secretary at Rowlands, picked up birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th.

A 20-footer for a three at the 13th produced a decisive two-shot swing as Corben took five.

The Surrey man bounced back with a birdie at the 14th, but Robson’s three at the 15th restored a two-shot cushion.

And when both players birdied the par-five 16th, the Hampshire player had the upper hand as both made par-fours at 17.

Robson had a scare when his tee shot on the driveable 18th looked to be heading left to the out-of-bounds putting green, but the ball came up short and he was able to chip to 20 feet, leaving Corben needing a hole-out with his second.

A brace of fours ensured that Robson won by two from Corben and became just the second player in 28 years, after Brokenhurst’s Martin Young, to win the Mike Smith back-to-back.

McKenzie had to settle for third on one-under after rounds of 70 and 69. Parson was fourth after a second 70, edging out Lobacz on countback, and Roope was sixth after a 70.

Robson, who had lost to Corben in the Hampshire versus Surrey match a week earlier, said: “I wanted to get one back over him. I knew that if I could beat David, I would have a very good chance of keeping the Mike Smith.”

Just 24 hours later, the busy Robson fired 16 birdies in a total of eight-under par to win the Stoneham Trophy by two from Martin Young. He also became the 17th different winner of the Solent Salver in 25 years, keeping the trophy at Rowlands Castle after McKenzie’s victory last year.