Old friends and rivals Kim Swan and Dwayne Pearman battled for 18 holes and then some to settle their nailbiting quarter-final clash in the Fritz Reiter/Lobster Pot BPGA Matchplay Championships at Belmont Hills yesterday.

In blustery conditions, nothing could separate the two veterans in regulation play and it took another four holes before Pearman, a multiple winner on the local pro circuit, finally prevailed.

Swan had got off to a fast start, going two-up after five holes but Pearman gradually worked his way back into the match, leaving the two players level as they walked off the 18th.

After the first three holes of sudden death, they were still even before Swan bogeyed the fourth extra hole, opening the door for his opponent to snatch victory with a par.

The Ocean View pro will now take on defending champion Chris Smith in today?s semi-finals after Smith eased past Darriek Douglas four and three.

Douglas got off to a disastrous start in that match, trailing by three after just five holes.

But he fought back to square the match heading into the back nine only to let it slip away again.

Another four-and-three winner was Andrew Trott who ousted fellow Tucker?s Point pro Chaka De Silva and will now meet Twilton Smith in today?s other semi-final.

Trott and DeSilva?s match proved to be a see-saw battle over the front nine before Trott stamped his authority on the game over the final holes.

Twilton Smith had to come from behind as he beat Dwayne Gibson one-up.

After seven holes Gibson had opened a three-hole lead and seemed in control until a combination of slow play and a missed short putt on number 12 proved his undoing.

Smith won both 16 and 17 and a half at the final hole was enough to give him the victory.

Today?s semi-finals tee off at 1.00 p.m. followed by a strokeplay event for those pros already eliminated.