Last year's finalists both fell at the first hurdle when the men's Amateur Match Play Championships got underway at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

Defending champion Arthur Jones seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory over Paul Amess as he cruised into a four-hole lead with just five holes remaining.

But amazingly he lost the last five to suffer a one-hole defeat.

Teenager Nick Jones, beaten by his namesake last year and showing superb form in recent junior events in the USA, got off to a bad start against former national team cricketer Graham Strange and never recovered with Strange claiming a four and two victory.

However, there were easy wins for former Match Play champions Blake Marshall and Robert Vallis.

Marshall defeated Ian Page seven and six while Vallis beat William Cosgrove six and four.

Peter Smith and David Alderdice contested one of the closest matches of the day with Smith prevailing for a one-up win.

In the women's event, favourites Kim Botelho and Deborah Jamgochian both carved out big wins.

Botelho defeated Susan Madeiros eight and six while Jamgochian proved too strong for Tracy Nash, winning eight and seven.

Two matches went into extra holes with Ann Mitchell winning on the 20th against Kathy Lloyd-Hines and Brenda McLean winning on the 21st against Mee-Lin Barbey.

The quarter-finals will be played today, the semi-finals tomorrow and the finals on Saturday.