Jarryd Dillas began his quest for a fifth straight Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship yesterday at Mid Ocean Club when he defeated Derel Alleyne 3 and 2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Dillas, who beat Chris Brough comfortably in last year’s 36-hole final, made good use of the conditions to extend his unbeaten streak in the tournament.

The conditions were a little more challenging yesterday with winds out of the west- southwest around 17 to 20 knots, but nothing like the gale force winds being forecast for tomorrow.

Last year, Dillas clinched his record fourth title in a heavy downpour as he battled both his opponent and the elements.

Dillas will be joined in the last eight by top qualifier Fraser Hunt, who beat Geoffrey Piggott 4 and 2, and Jevon Roberts, who beat Scott Barnett by the same margin. Also reaching the last eight were Mark Phillips who beat Michael Lindo 2 and 1; Ben Hodge, who had the day’s shortest match, 7 and 5 over Ian Page, while Walker Campbell beat Gary Brangman 2 and 1.

The two closest matches resulted in Sergio Edness beating Michael Daniels and Joshua Cabrera getting by Jose Luis Gerardo by one hole.

This morning, Dillas plays Phillips, Hodge takes on Cambell, Hunt meets Edness and Roberts plays Cabrera.

After a bye yesterday, Ann Symonds will begin her quest for a second straight title in the women’s division, with stiff competition expected to come from Linda Down, whom she beat by one hole in an exciting final last year. Ebonie Burgess and Katrin Burnie, both of whom had byes yesterday, are also expected to be in contention.

In the five matches played, Down defeated Shirley Higgins 4 and 3, Wendy Salvia beat Sandy Dyer 3 and 2, Erva Hassell stopped Valerie Nearon 5 and 4 and Carol Jones defeated Gladys Chambaz 3 and 2. Tracy Nash had the most comfortable win, beating Susan Frith 6 and 5 to set up a meeting today with Burgess.

Simons plays Down in a repeat of last year’s final, while Jones takes on Hassell and Burnie plays Salvia.

The Senior Championship is already down to the semi-finals where Craig Christensen, John Brough, Kavon Trott and Max Atherden are all through. Christensen, an easy leader after the strokeplay qualifying round with a gross 73, beat Rodney Higgins 4 and 2 yesterday, Brough defeated Steven Hickmott by one hole, Trott beat Bill Pitt at the 19th and Atherden was a comfortable 7 and 5 winner over Edward Frey.

Today, Christensen meets Brough and Trott takes on Atherden for places in the final.