Silver lining for Singapore
1st July, Bangkok: After winning a silver and two bronze medals at the 12th World Youth Championships 2012, Singapore improved on their performances thus far by earning two more silver medals in the 4-players Team event on Sunday.
Basil Low, Keith Saw, Ng Chiew Pang and Mark Wong beat Germany in the semi only to lose to the mighty Americans, 807-889 in the final while New Hui Fen, Ilma Nur Jannah, Krishna Darshini and Bernice Lim took out England in the semi to lose to USA again, 799-850 in the final.
The Singapore boys started off the final match against USA much stronger and had a slight lead over Andrew Koff, Zack Hattori, Chris Via and Marshall Kent as the Americans struggled in the early stage.
The good momentum did not last long as USA mounted a strong comeback midway through the match to draw level. Although Low and Saw carried on well, Ng and Wong were unable to string together more strikes than their team-mates.
Low posted 224, Saw 218, Ng 185 and Wong 180 going down to USA, 807-889 to take home the silver medal. The boys took out Germany in the semi-finals but left it late in the last two frames to advance with 814-786 victory.
USA continued the top seed jinx when he eliminated Sweden, 860-820 in the other semi to face the Singaporeans.Meanwhile, Singapore again played bridesmaid when New Hui Fen, Ilma Nur Jannah, Krishna Darshini and Bernice Lim lost to USA girls, 799-850 to take home a second silver medal. The girls also had a narrow victory over England, 787-765 to reach the final.
Jessica Earnest, Kelsey Muther, Amanda Greene and Danielle McEwan knocked out the defending champion and top seed, Korea, 924-846 in the other semi to face Singapore in the title match.
The gold medal has eluded Singapore after three events so far. Basil Low won the Singles bronze medal, Hui Fen and Lim won the bronze medal in the Doubles event and Hui Fen added a silver in the All Events.
Only two countries have all four girls in the Masters finals, Singapore and USA and SIngapore will be hoping to break the jinx with a victory in the Masters finals. Low is the sole finalist in the boy’s division.
The top 24 girls and top 24 boys will contest the 6-game Step 1 Masters finals on July 2. The top 8 girls and top 8 boys at the end of the Step 1 finals will advance to the Step 2 round-robin matchplay finals on July 3.
Detailed scores: Boy’s Team Semi & Final | Girl’s Team Semi & Final | Photo Album.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.