DARREN CLARKE fired a disappointing 77 to fall eight shots off the pace in the second round of the Australian PGA Championship in Sydney. He joined Paul McGinley, who had a 75 on 146 behind the three local leaders Justin Cooper, Peter Lonard and Chris Gray.

Cooper rolled in a birdie putt at the 18th green to move into a three way tie for the lead. Cooper shot a four under par 68 to get to a six under total of 138 for the tournament.

. British pair Catriona Matthew and Laura Davies both struggled to maintain their first day form as Jane Crafter took the lead after the second round of the Australian Masters on the Gold Coast.

Crafter, using a new putter, shot an eight under par 65 for a 12 under par total of 134 and a two stroke lead over Matthew, who added a 71 to her first round 65.

Davies was a shot further back on 137 after an inconsistent second round of 70. The champion in 1993 and 1994, seeking her 10th title of the year here, twice three putted for bogeys on the back nine but made up for the errors by sinking a 40 foot eagle putt at the par five 15th.

"I'm a bit disappointed," she said. "I lost my feel for the pace of the greens and missed three putts from within three feet, which is unusual for me.

"I'm only two off the pace, though, and I'm playing well. I just need to sharpen up my short game a bit."

. Americans Bob Menne and Bill Brask finished first and second in the European Seniors Tour qualifying school at Peralada, Spain, yesterday.