to the top of the senior division in second round action at the Trinidad and Tobago Open golf tournament at St. Andrews.

Pearman, who trailed the leaders by eight strokes after the opening round, turned in a blistering one-under-par 69 for a two-round total of 146 to close within six shots and occupy the 12th position on the leader board.

There was a change at the head of the junior division with defending champion Jeff Lewis of the United States equalling Pearman's score to surge ahead of overnight leader John Reeves.

Lewis, like Pearman a former Bermuda Open champion, currently stands on 140 and Reeves is tied for second on 142 while there are five others buried one stroke further back.

Another former Bermuda Open winner, Ron McDougal, is also still in the hunt, having carded a 73 and 71 for a two round score of 144.

After having his game fall apart over the back nine one day prior Pearman was able to conquer those demons this time around, managing four birdies on the backside to go with two posted on the front.

The Port Royal professional finished the first nine on even par after birdies on three and five coupled with bogeys at two and six where he three putted on each occasion.

Following this he produced more birdies at 11, 12, 15 and 17, and only a bogey at 14 marred a spectacular effort.

"Again I hit the ball good and was able to keep it going all the way through,'' said Pearman, who finished 14th in the same tournament last year.

"I kept pretty well composed whereas yesterday I had a few mental lapses coming in which cost me.

"I'm starting to get it down with the course. You really have to play it a few times before you get used to it.

"The greens are tough with a lot of undulation.'' As for his chances of catching the front-runners Pearman would only say "Whatever happens...happens. I feel pretty good and still have a shot''.

Meanwhile, Jones went even better as he took over first place amongst the seniors on account of his 79, which coupled with an 80 on the first day gave him a one stroke advantage heading into the final day's play.

Almost surprised with the predicament he finds himself in, Jones was looking forward to the possibility of collecting the winners cheque worth $1,000.

"I have all the confidence in the world right now,'' said Jones, who finished second a year ago. "Everyone is struggling out there and it could go either way but I still feel confident of my chances.'' Counted in Jones' round were five bogeys as well as two double-bogeys together with two birdies and the remainder pars.

The veteran was somewhat upset regarding pin-placement on greens which were not very forgiving.

"I thought the positioning was a bit unfair,'' said Jones. "On many of the greens if you missed a putt the ball would roll right off the green and force you to chip back on.'' Birdies came at three and 16 but disaster struck on six when he missed the green to the right, landing in a patch of mud, forcing a drop and then having to two putt for double-bogey.

More trouble occurred on the steep 14th green where he required six shots to complete the hole.

Jones plays his final round today while Pearman still has today and tomorrow to further solidify his position.

The other locals competing, Dave Purcell, Malcolm Burgess, Allan Richardson, Barry DeCouto, Glen Robinson and Phillip Smith have all encountered rough going and find themselves languishing well down the field. No scores were available.

ON FORM -- Dwayne Pearman's one-under 69 was the second best round of the day.