Siem secures Match Play progress

Anthony Wall holed a long birdie putt on No. 18 to begin the defense of his Paul Lawrie Match Play title with a 1-up victory over Sam Walker in the first round on Thursday.

The Englishman, who won the European Tour event when it was staged in Scotland previous year, was behind going into the last two holes but won them both for a clash against Ryder Cup victor Jamie Donaldson.

Mikko Ilonen beat Matthieu Pavon 8 and 7 in the most convincing win of the first round, while Adrian Otaegui was 9 under in his 16 holes in beating Gary Stal 4 and 2. He will face Thomas Detry - a 3 and 1 victor against Nacho Elvira - in the last 16.

Siem was joined by compatriots Alexander Knappe and Florian Fritsch, but Maximilian Kieffer could not make it four Germans from four in the last 16 as he lost to Marcus Fraser 2 and 1.

The Wicklow native got through his first round easily yesterday when he defeated Australian Nathan Holman 6 & 5 to set up a tie in the last 32 against Sweden's Jens Fahrbring.

Dunne took his form from yesterday into today, as he beat the Swede 4 & 3, and he will now play the victor of the match between Alejandro Cañizares and Paul Lawrie in the last 16.