Trevor Carvey and former finalist Blake Marshall weathered the traditionally wet and windy conditions best as both returned seven-over-par scores of 78 in the qualifying round for the Amateur Match Play Championships at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

With defending champion Dave Allison taking the number one seed spot, Carvey and Marshall will compete in a play-off this morning to decide who occupies the second and third seed positions in the Championship Flight.

In the type of weather ? strong gusts of wind and driving rain ? that has long been associated with Bermuda Golf Association?s first ?major? tournament of the year, the small field of just 34 players struggled to cope.

Only three players broke 80 ? the other being Nick Mansell, a former member of Bermuda?s World Amateur Championship team, who carded a 79.

Former champions Robert Vallis and Arthur Jones returned scores of 82 and 85 respectively, while last year?s beaten finalist, former professional Anthony Mocklow, who now resides in England, had to settle for an 86.

Promising youngster Jarryd Dillas, currently working in the pro shop at Mid Ocean Club, shot an 84 while long-time visitor Cy Kilgore fired 85.

Meanwhile, in an even smaller ladies? field of just 13 players, two of the favourites, Laura Robinson and American visitor Carmen Simpson, shared the best score of the day, 90.

Susan Vallis and Ann Symonds were next best with 97.

In today?s first round of match play, Allison is unlikely to have much trouble getting over his first hurdle as he takes on Paul Bendler Jr, who struggled to a score of 102 yesterday.

Depending on the outcome of the play-off, Marshall and Carvey will play either Ian Page or Ian Hilton.

Vallis takes on Scott Holden and Jones will play Brant Kizer.

Among the ladies, Robinson and Simpson both have received a first round bye.