Bryan Omelia from Newlands comfortably moved into the matchplay stage of the British Amateur Championships when he carded a second successive 69, this time at the Gullane course, for a four-under-par total of 138, which left him just one shot off the best score after two days.

Omelia will be joined by Milltown's Jody Fanagan, whose total of 174 was also well inside the qualifying mark. He shot 75 at Muirfield yesterday to add to his 69 at Gullane. Portmarnock's Noel Fox, however, failed to qualify.

Former Irish youths champion Omelia reached the turn in two-under-par 33 and looked set to repeat the feat on the way home before dropped shots at the 16th and the 17th marred his card slightly.

The 23 year old finished only one shot behind leading qualifier Mark Hilton of East Sussex National. The 20 year old showed the same poise which carried him to an opening 66 at Gullane on Monday to record a level-par 71 at Muirfield to give him pole position.