sudden death play-off as low scores resulted in a scramble for a place in today's first round of the championship flight in the Amateur Match Play Championships.

At a blustery Mid Ocean Club yesterday, several players shot in the 70s in the medal round to decide flights. And at day's end, with five players tied on 78, a play-off was required to determine which four would make the top 16.

Australian Vandersluis, beaten by Mark Dupuy seven and six in last year's final, was the unlucky play-off loser as Henry Ascento, Robert Kulp, William Link and Dave Purcell all squeezed into the championship flight.

As defending champion, Dupuy didn't need to qualify yesterday and the low round belonged to former winner Cy Kilgore who carded a one over par 72.

Kilgore defeated Dupuy in the 1998 final.

Other impressive scores came from Bermuda's Steve Duxbury (74) and American Doug Ballenger (74) while former winners, policeman Tim Carr (75) and doctor Robert Vallis (76) also secured their places in the top 16.

In today's first round, Dupuy faces Ascento in an all-Bermuda battle, while Kilgore will be up against fellow American Link.

In the ladies' medal round, with defending champion Jennifer Spurling absent, Bermuda's Laura Robinson earned the top seeding with a fine round of 81.

American Sally Casey was next best with 82 while Molly McNichols (89) was the only other player in the 20-strong field to break 90. Robinson has a bye in today's first round while Casey meets Bermuda's Valerie Nearon.