The British Amateur Championship dreams of Shropshire duo Ashley Chesters and Oliver Farr are over.

Their fine displays in the world’s biggest tournament for players from the non-paid ranks ended yesterday afternoon in the last 16 at Hillside in Southport.

Both came within a whisker of reaching the quarter-finals and maintaining their hopes of winning the event and qualifying for next month’s Open and the 2012 US Masters in the process.

Hawkstone Park’s Chesters was beaten by Sebastien Gros of France on the first extra hole after ending all square.

Chesters was two up with two to play and missed a 15ft putt to win on the penultimate green.

But Gros progressed with birdies at 17 and 18 before repeating the dose at the first play-off hole.

“I hit a few loose shots on the back nine when a bit of tiredness set in but if you had offered me last 16 at the start of the week, I would certainly have taken it,” said Chesters.

Ludlow’s Farr was three down with four to play against Spain’s Antonio Hortal before wins at the 15th and 16th kept his hopes alive. But his dreams ended on the 17th.

“It ended in a sour way because I three putted to lose the match,” said 23-year-old Farr. “I wanted to get through to today because all my family were going to come up to support.”

Chesters and Farr each came through two strokeplay rounds and won two matchplay games to reach the last 16 in a field of 288.