An almost clean sweep for Singapore

14th December, K.Lumpur: Singapore youths almost had a clean sweep of the top 5 positions of the Boy's Under-15 Masters finals at the 11th MILO International Junior All Stars Championship as Shaun Lau of SGCC and Muhammad Danial of Singapore Sports School finished first and second. After a keen tussle for the lead between Daryl Ting and Alex Chong, both from Singapore Sports School, Shaun Lau began to stamp his mark by leading the field throughout the 8-game finals to claim his first international title with 1692.

Lau rolled 233, 195, 227, 204, 247, 179, 186 and 221 for an amazing 211 average and 61 pins margin. Muhammad Danial of Singapore Sports School finished second with 1631 to give Singapore a one-two finish.

Singapore youths almost took the top 5 places but was denied by KL's Muhammad Raifq B Ismail, who snatched third spot with 1623. Reigning National Youth champion, Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore Sports School and team-mate, Darren Ong completed the top 5 with 1608 and 1587.   "I finally got to win my first international title," said the 15-year-old Shaun Lau, who won the Singapore National Championship Secondary School Boy's title last month. "I competed here for the last three years and failed to qualify.

"I was already very happy to make the finals and to win it is even most rewarding. Now I'll concentrate on trying to qualify for the Open division," added Lau, who is also the Secondary School League Masters and the National Age Group U15 Boy's Champion. Meanwhile, Singapore National Ladies Graded champion, Kwa Lay Teng was Singapore's best performer after she claimed third spot with 1631. Sabah's Steffira Zeandea Greater won the Girl's Under-15 crown with 1669.

Selangor's Victoria Chin finished second with 1647, 22 pins behind the champion and 16 pins ahead of Kwa. Yeo Jing Yi of SGCC and early leader, Kylee Thio Yun Qi completed the top 5 with 1604 and 1593.

Other SIngapore Sports School finalists, Charmaine Lim, Tracy See, Audrey Tan, Joy Yap, Kimberly Ooi and Meliana Sondang Sibuea ended in 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 17th positions respectively.

Qualifying for the Graded division will end December 15 while the Open division continues till December 16. The Graded Masters finals will be held on December 16 and the pen division on December 17.   Detailed scores: Boy's Under-15 Masters | Girl's Under-15 Masters. Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.