College student Eric Plisko continued his impressive form at the Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championships at Mid Ocean Club yesterday, knocking off five-time winner Robert Vallis two-up in a close men's semi-final battle to set up an all-Pennsylvania final today against fellow American Santo Lafoca.

The 22-year old Temple University student was steady throughout and held it together when it mattered most against local favourite Vallis who put up a good fight before ultimately coming up just short.

Plisko gained control of the match early and after 13 holes was two-up on his more senior rival.

But Vallis clawed his way back into contention with a birdie at the par-four 14th to cut the deficit to one and leave the match hanging in the balance with four holes left to play.

However, neither golfer was able to make further inroads coming in and Vallis eventually conceded on the last hole after coming up short on his approach to the green and missing a chipped birdie attempt from the rough that might have been enough to send the match into extra holes.

"I feel good and now I have to see how things go over the next 36 holes," Plisko told The Royal Gazette. "I was very pleased with my performance.

"I have made a lot of swing changes which have helped a lot. I think I am finally starting to trust the changes to my swing and now getting good results."

Plisko also spoke highly of Vallis, who defeated teenager Alex Osborne in the quarter-finals.

"I didn't really know much about Robert until I found out I was playing against him. He is a very good player," he said. "He doesn't make many mistakes and it's always hard to beat someone like that. You just have to start making some putts and birdies on the holes they don't.

"It was a tough match which I knew was going to go the distance. The conditions were tough and when the rain came the greens became slow."

As for today's final against Lafoca, Plisko said: "He doesn't live far from me and it should be a good match. I am looking forward to it.

"I always try and treat each match the same – go out there and play my game and hope for the best. And I'm feeling good about my game."

In the remaining men's Championship semi-final Lafoca comfortably defeated regular overseas competitor Cy Kilgore five and four in overcast conditions.

In the Ladies Championship semi-finals local Tariqah Walikraam defeated American LeeAnn Lewis four and three while USA's Helen Stovell beat Bermuda's Ebonie Burgess one up.

Walikraam and Stovell now go head-to-head in today's 36-hole final which precedes the men's match.