Singapore boys secure semi-final spot
30th June, Bangkok: Singles bronze medalist, led team-mates Keith Saw, Ng Chiew Pang and Mark Wong to secure third spot in the 4-players Team semi-finals of the 12th World Youth Championships 2012 on Saturday. Singapore, who was ranked No. 6 in the first block, joined other teams ranked No. 1 to 24 to contest the second block of the 4-players Team event in the second squad over the long oil condition.
They were trailing fourth placed Korea, who was fourth, by 21 pins as the Swedes led the Germans by 117 pins and the fancied Americans third, a futher 2 pins away.
Sweden’s Kim Bolleby, Magnus Johnson Jr., Daniel Fransson and Johan Hellden got off the blocks like a bullet knocking down 892 in the opening game to extend their lear over Germany to 199 pins.
Korea took over third spot with 846 and the United States 788 to slip down to fourth as Singapore managed only 798 to drop to fifth. Despite posting a much stronger 842 in the next game game, Singapore was still in fifth.
Sweden broke a one-game record of 990 set by the Americans in 2008 with 992 to draw clear of the field with Germany still in second. Singapore was 56 pins behind Korea and 40 pins behind USA going into the last game.The leader closed out the block with 874 setting a new 3-game series of 2758, earsing the old record of 2694 set by Malaysia in 2008. Sweden’s 6-game total of 5389 also bettered 5289 record by 100 pins to caim pole position.
Germany settled for second with 4971 while Singapore posted a superb 878 to clinch their semi-final spot in third with 4969, just two pins off the Germans.
USA survived the cut in fourth position with 4913 despite posting only 782 to edge the fancied Koreans by 8 pins. Korea’s disappointing 758 in the final game dropped them to fifth position with 4905.
Meanwhile, there was a similar close fight for the Boy’s All Events medals. Sam Cooley of Australia had to double in the tenth frame to end with 226 for 1354 total to secure the gold medal with an 18-game total of 3960.
Marshall Kent of USA took the silver medal with 3951, just 9 pins adrift. Sweden’s Daniel Fransson posted the highest 6-game series of 1434 to rob Basil Low’s chance of the bronze medal. Low totaled 3921 to become the only Singaporean in the top 24 Step 1 Masters finals.
Singapore will face Geramny in the first semi-finals while top seed, Sweden will meet USA in the other semi scheduled at 3.00pm local time. Winners of the semi-finals will meet for the 4-players team title.
Detailed scores: Boy’s Team Block 2 | Boy’s All Events | Photo Album.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.