bit following a frustrating day that saw him record a six-over-par 77 at Port Royal Golf Club, as the Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay Championships continued.

James was let down time and again by an erratic putter despite solid iron play. He went out in two-over and stumbled in having dropped four more shots to par, for a 36-hole total of 149.

And when the third round tees off this morning, the teenager will find himself on equal footing with Tim Carr and Robbie Spurling.

Carr followed up Thursday's 75 with a round of 74, while Spurling, playing in pain after injuring his elbow during an earlier practice round, fought hard for his 75.

A further stroke back in fourth is Paul Harkness (75-152) with two-time defending champion Michael Sims (72-153) and Steven Lambert (78-153) joint fifth.

James, who entered the day with a two-stroke lead over Bill Pitt, Spurling and Malcolm Burgess, reflected on his shortcomings on the greens.

"Today I hit my irons and driver a lot better, but my putter left me for most of the day,'' he said.

"I was struggling out there. I hit some par-fives in two and ended up with pars and couldn't understand it.

"I just had to stay in there and resist getting frustrated or anxious to get birdies. I only had one birdie today, that was on 17, but it was a hot day.'' Heat indeed appeared a factor that worked against James who, unlike most in the tournament, was not afforded the luxury of travelling via golf cart.

A visibly exhausted James was glad to reach the clubhouse for the coolness and shelter if nothing else, and was anxious to put yesterday's round behind him.

"I'm just glad to get this (bad) round out of the way. Because I don't want to have one like this tomorrow and Sunday, so I'm just happy to get it out of the way,'' said the teenager, who played with Lambert and Joey McRonald, Jr.

(85).

"I couldn't have hit the ball any better, it's just my putter. I couldn't read anything and nothing was going in.'' "Tomorrow, I'll just come and start from scratch, hope to play better.'' Co-leader Spurling appeared downcast despite having shot himself into the lead, expressing concern with his game, moreso his bum elbow.

So painful was the elbow that he could not practise prior to taking to the course, meaning that he had to go in cold.

"I'm in contention, but I'm not hitting the ball too well, just sort of scrambling around a bit,'' said Spurling, like James a product of the local junior programme. "I'm hanging around, but I'm not playing great or anything.'' Also making a advance a day prior to what is normally regarded as `moving day' was defending champion Sims.

After ballooning to an 81 on the first day Sims charged up the leaderboard following his 72, placing himself within striking distance.

"I made a few putts today,'' said Sims. "I had three birdies today, which always helps and I putted a lot better. I still missed a few short ones, but putting was the main key, I think.

"Hey, (today's) better than where I was yesterday. I guess I gained some ground today and I'll see what I can do tomorrow.'' Meanwhile, on the women's side Jennifer Spurling showed that the time spent playing on the University of North Carolina-Wilmington team was indeed paying dividends.

Playing alongside college team-mate Sarah Rea of North Carolina, Spurling put on a solid, if not spectacular, performance in carding an opening-round 76, which placed her atop the leaderboard by two strokes over Stephanie Lewis, with defending champion Lindsey Sims and Alisa Hardy a further two shots off the pace.

Spurling went birdieless, but minimised mistakes and positioned herself well for the stretch run.

"I feel good, I was hitting my irons solid, my woods weren't very solid, but they kept me in play, so if I can keep it up I'll be all right,'' said Turn to page 19 Strokeplay Continued from page 17 Spurling, who recently completed her freshman year.

"Coming in I just wanted to have three rounds in the 70s, if not average out in the 70s.'' Sims, meanwhile, struggled with her short game, but was not overly concerned, shrugging her shoulders yet confident that better days lie ahead.

"I feel fine, I shot an 80, it's over with, time to move on to the next round and shoot better,'' said Sims, who won by a runaway 12 shots last year.

"I hit the ball good today off the tee, I just had a few bad chips which cost me a few putts. I'll just go out there (tomorrow) and try to hit the ball as good as I did today and make better chips and I should be right back in there.'' Spurling took little solace in her four-stroke cushion over Sims.

"She'll come back tomorrow, I'm sure. She's a solid golfer.''