WILTSHIRE golfers Jordan Smith and Ben Stow both qualified for the matchplay stages of the British Amateur Championship, which were getting under way in Northern Ireland this morning.

Bowood player Smith, 21, added a second-round two-over 72 to his opening round of the same score at Portrush yesterday to comfortabl;y qualify inside the top 64 players to progress the matchplay stages.

Smith, who made his debut on the European Tour in Austria earlier this month, faced a tough encounter against Italy's Renato Paratore.

Paratore, last year’s quarter-finalist, was the highest ranked player left in the field at sixth on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, with the match dur to get under way this lunchtime.

Stow, who last year qualified for the Open Championship, faced an anxious wait after posting a second-round 72 at Portstewart to lie four over par after two rounds. The cut eventually fell at 4-over-par 145 with 70 players qualifying.

The East Knoyle player faced a preliminary matchplay round clash with John Axelsen, of Denmark, this morning to progress to the final 64 players.

UPDATES FROM THE BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT THIS WEEK