A new Bermuda Amateur Match Play Men's champion will be crowned this year after defending champion Paul Amess bowed out under sunny skies at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

The American lost to his compatriot Cy Kilgore, a long-time competitor in the tournament, on the 21st hole and will now meet another American, Santo Lafoca, in today's Men's Championship semi-final.

Lafoca defeated fellow countryman Matt Bianchini one-up in a battle that went right down to the wire to reach the final four while an all-local affair saw experience prevail over youth as Robert Vallis beat teenager Alex Osborne three and two.

Last year's Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay champion Vallis will take on Temple University student Eric Plisko in today's remaining Men's Championship semi-final.

Plisko got past Bermuda's Jarryd Dillas two-up yesterday to keep his championship hopes alive.

Unlike in the men's bracket, there were no major upsets in the Ladies' Championship quarter-finals as Americans Helen Stovell and LeeAnn Lewis along with Bermudians Tariqah Walikraam and Ebonie Burgess all advanced to the final four.

Stovell beat local golfer Ann Symonds three and two, American Lewis breezed by another local Susan Vallis seven and six, Burgess defeated Bermuda resident Katrin Burnie four and three while Walikraam was pushed all the way before eventually seeing off the threat of Kathy Lloyd-Hines two-up.

Stovell will now take on Burgess in today's Ladies' Championship semi-final while Lewis and Walikraam will do battle in the other.