The 22-year-old, who claimed victory at Royal County Down last year, is aiming to become the first player since Sweden’s Louise Stahle in 2005 to retain the championship.

Having progressed on the cut mark for stroke play qualifying, Toy found her form in the match play stages to continue her quest for a historic success at the north-west venue.

At the 117th staging of the championship, Toy saw off the challenge of fellow Englishwoman Isabelle Simpson with a one-hole win in the morning before following it up with a comfortable 5&4 triumph over Ireland’s Jessica Ross.

“I’m trying not to give up the title. Obviously, making the cut on the mark was a relief and coming through two rounds I’m pleased to be where I am,” Toy said. “It was a really good match this morning and I was pleased to get the win. This afternoon I played nicely again. I have been struggling a little bit with form coming into this event, so it has been nice to actually see some nice shots.”

In-form Emily Price, who won the English Women’s Amateur Championship earlier this month and was among the leading stroke play qualifiers, maintained her bid for more glory, beating Hulda Clara Gestsdottir from Iceland 2&1 to reach the last-16.

Denmark’s Amalie Leth-Nissen – who was the leading qualifier on card countback – lost out to her older sister, Cecilie, at the final hole in an emotional contest in the opening tie of the day. It was a notable triumph, given Cecilie is ranked 765th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking compared to Amalie at 47th.

However, Scotland’s Hannah Darling, 17, the Girls’ Under-16 Open Champion in 2018, then ended the hopes of Leth-Nissen in the afternoon with a one-hole victory.

Of the other leading qualifiers from Wednesday, Rosie Belsham lost to Annabel Bailey by one hole and Carolina Melgrati from Italy also exited at the 19th to Wales’ Ffion Tynan.

Tynan continued her form as she defeated Laura Webb, the oldest player in the field at 57, with a 2&1 victory. Italian Alessia Nobilio, the world No.5, quietly went about her work to reach the last-16, while two German players, Paula Schulz-Hanssen and Aline Krauter, also progressed. Lily May Humphreys, the highest-ranked English player in the field, now faces Schulz-Hanssen tomorrow.

However, there was disappointment for home club member Hollie Muse and Scotland’s Hazel MacGarvie as they exited at the last-64 stage.

The match play continues tomorrow, with the last-16 and quarter-final ties played, ahead of Saturday’s semi-finals and the 18-hole Final. There are significant rewards for the champion with exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open and traditionally, the US Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.