Dave Allison?s reign as Bermuda Amateur Match Play champion ended at Mid Ocean Club yesterday as the all-round sportsman ? he?s also a prolific goalscorer for Commercial League football team Lobster Pot ? crashed out of this year?s tournament.

As the golfers finally enjoyed a day void of of high winds and lashing rain, Allison went down to visitor Kevin McDonnell two and one.

But the man he beat in last year?s final, England-based Bermudian Anthony Mocklow, enjoyed better fortunes as he crushed medallist Trevor Carvey five and four.

There were also victories for former champion Robert Vallis, who won both the 17th and 18th holes to eke out a two-up triumph over promising youngster Jarryd Dillas, and another past winner, Arthur Jones, who defeated Shaun Knight four and three.

Blake Marshall, beaten by Vallis in the final three years ago, remained on course for another chance at contesting tomorrow?s 36-hole showdown, when he got past David Alderice two and one.

In the women?s quarter-finals, medallist Laura Robinson, also a former winner, defeated Elaine Stevens six and five, but California?s Carmen Simpson, who had been tipped to reach the final, went down three and one to Susie Elton.

In today?s men?s quarter-finals, Marshall and Vallis meet in a repeat of their 2003 final while Mocklow takes on Peter Smith.

Jones will play Port Royal course superintendent Nick Mansell and McDonnell meets Santo Lafoca, a seven and five winner yesterday over Jeffrey Lindo.

The four winners of this morning?s quarter-finals will play again in the semi-finals this afternoon.

In ladies? semi-final action, Robinson plays Susan Vallis and Elton takes on Ann Symonds.

The men?s first flight final will see Ken Simpson take on Alan Millar.

Professional Michael Sims? miserable start to life on the Canadian Tour continued yesterday when he carded a disappointing four-over-par 76 in the first round of the Yes! Golf Barton Creek Challenge in Austin, Texas.

Having missed the cut last week in the Tour?s opening tournament at the same venue, Sims now finds himself tied for 93rd place overall ? nine shots off the lead ? and needing to produce a superlative round of golf today if he is to advance to the weekend.

The Bermuda Open champion started with a birdie and three straight pars on the Fazio Foothills course, before bogeying the fifth, and double-bogeying the sixth.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly his eagle on the 537-yard 15th, but two bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine scuppered his chances of shooting under par.

Sims tees off in his all-important second round today at 3.06 p.m Bermuda time.