Playing in the championship consolation round on the second day of match play was not what local favourite Robert Vallis had planned when he entered the 66th Bermuda Men's Amateur Championships.

But the two-time winner was dealt that fate yesterday at Mid Ocean when Arthur Jones beat him on the 19th hole in an all-Bermuda match in the first round of the championship flight. Scratch player Vallis was seen as one of the favourites after defending champion Scott Mayne and another previous winner, Joel Hirsch, confirmed they would not be available.

Now Jones, a three-handicapper who represented Bermuda in the Eisenhower Cup a few years ago, will face medallist Christian Chernock of Connecticut in today's second round. Chernock, 22, is ranked 11th in the national amateur rankings in the US as of November 1, 1994 and is the favourite for this tournament.

Yesterday he got by Bermudian Frankie Furbert five-and-four.

Other locals to advance are Henry Ascento, who beat Eldon Raynor three-and-two, Dave Purcell, Barry Brewer, Hav Trott, Bill Pitt and Zane DeSilva.

Ascento will take on Purcell today in another all-local match-up.

Pitt scored a good victory, stopping Walter Taylor, who is a previous semi-finalist, three-and-two.