Nick Mansell and Jennifer Spurling earned medal honours on a cool, breezy day at Mid Ocean Club as the 73rd men's and women's Amateur Match Play Championships got underway yesterday.

With last year's winner Paul Harkness not defending his title, Mansell will enter the championship flight today as top seed, having posted a three-over par 74.

Former winner Robert Vallis was next best with a 76 while only two other players in the 40-strong men's field broke 80 - Gary Carr, who represented Bermuda at last year's Simon Bolivar tournament in Venezuela, carded 78 and Zane DeSilva 79.

Mid Ocean Club champion Blake Marshall earned his spot in the championship flight with an 80 as did regular return visitor Cy Kilgore and last year's beaten finalist Bill Jenks.

Local youngster Jarryd Dillas will also play in the championship flight after returning an 81.

Spurling, who won the championship in 1999, was the only woman to dip under 80 with her score of 79. Dolly Winwick followed with an 85 while Susie Elton shot 91 and youngster Stephanie Lewis 93. Last year's champion, American Janell Howland, has not returned.