Singapore makes Team semi-finals
30th July, Helsinki: Daphne Tan, New Hui Fen, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan put in another splendid performance in the second block of the Girl's Team of Four at the World Youth Championship 2010 to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Daphne Tan, New Hui Fen, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan, who finished second to Malaysia in the first block, stepped their pace with a superb 869 at the start of the second block on long oil conditions to take over the running.
A near record-breaking second game of 900 allowed Singapore to stretch their lead to 92 pins over the Koreans while Malaysia slipped down to third. Although the girls ended with a lowly 737, it did not mattered much as they have secured their place in the semi-finals.
Korea's Kim Yeon-Ju, Shin Bo-Hyun, Baek Seung-Ja and Kim Moon-Jeong finished as top seed with 5024, 53 pins ahead of Singapore in second with 4971 and Malaysia in third spot with 4844.
England completed the top four teams to advance to the semi-finals with 4770 and will meet the Koreans. Singapore avoided the favorites, Korea and will meet their neighbours, Malaysia in the other semi.Meanwhile, the Singapore boys were less fortunate despite being in a good position after the first block. Justin Lim Chun Liang, Benjamin Lim, Justin Lim Chia Loong and Basil Low struggled in the long oil conditions to post 2355 in the second block.
Their 6-game total of 4823 from the two blocks only gave them ninth position after the two squads were combined. Estonia's Vallo Lees, Kristjian Leisner, Ulari Lees and Kert Truus upstaged favourites Korea and USA to snatch pole with 5008.
Korea's Hong Hae-Sol, Kim Ju-Young, Shin Seung-Hyeon and Park Jong-Woo, who topped Squad 1, finished second with 4962. Australia and USA secured their places in the semi-finals in third and fourth positions with 4952 and 4932.
Jazreel Tan and Shayna Ng, who missed out on an individual medal when both tied fourth place in the All Events with 3818, made the Masters finals. Daphne and Hui Fen ended in 18th and 24th positions.
Korea's Kim Moon-Jeong won the gold medal with 3922 with Hayley White of England and Diana Zavjalova of Latvia taking home the silver and bronze medals with 3905 and 3899 respectively.
None of the Singapore boys made the Masters finals with Benjamin as the top Singaporean finisher in 20th position. Andrew Koff snatched the gold with 4036 with a better score in the team events.
Park Jong-Woo took the silver medal with 3994 while Samu Valaranta shot the highest 6-game series in the Team event to win the bronze medal with 3965 for host, Finland.
The Girl's and Boy's Team semi-finals and finals will be held on Saturday, July 31 followed by the Masters Round 1 elimination Finals for the top 16 girls and top 16 boys from the All Events standings.
The semi-finals and finals of the Masters event will be contest on Sunday, August 1 for the final two gold medals.
Detailed scores: Girl's Team Block 2 | Girl's All Events | Boy's Team Block 2 Combined | Boy's All Events.
Photos courtesy of USBC.