JORDAN Smith eased through to the matchplay stages of the English Amateur Championship at Frilford Heath yesterday with the second best score over two strokeplay rounds.

Smith, who will also contest next month's US Amateur Championships at Brookline, carded a two-round total of 127 - seven under par - to finish just behind Lindrick GC's Jonathan Thomson.

Joining 2013 Brabazon Trophy winner Smith in the last 64 was new England U18 champion Ben Amor, of Marlborough, who added a second successive 70 to finish inside the top 20 strokeplay scores.

Smith was taking on Christopher Chilton (High Legh Park Country Club) in the first matchplay round this morning, while Amor faced Samuel Whitaker (Blankney). The Wiltshire duo could meet in the third of six matchplay rounds.

Wrag Barn duo Ben and Josh Loughrey both failed to make it through.

Josh came closest, ending his two rounds in 92nd on one over-par, while Ben was down in 243rd after carding 12 over.

Bowood's Garry Slade was a further shot back, while East Knoyle's Ben Stow (Rushmore), who qualified for the recent Open Championship at Muirfield, also saw his bid end after the strokeplay stage, despite carding a second-round 70 to finish two over par in 109th.

He was joined on that mark by Wiltshire teammate Robbie Busher (Salisbury & South Wilts).

Broome Manor's Chris Stewart finished on eight over par, with fellow Manor player Yoshio Takeuchi 215th on 17 over.

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