Singapore off to a great start
20th November, Jakarta: Singapore got off to a great start in the 21st Asian Intercity Bowling Championship in opening event as Mark Wong and Gina Lim led the Men's and Women's Singles Squad A at Artha Gading Bowling Centre. National Development squad member, Mark Wong of Singapore, opened account with a superb 235 but trailed Daegu's Park Hee Jeong by just 2 pins. Another Korean from Daegu, Kim Young Pyo grabbed the lead with a scintillating 258 as Mark remained in second after another fine 220.
The Singaporean youngster then surged into the lead with a moderate 214 as Park could only managed 190 and Kim sufered a disasterous 159. Mark continued to post consistently with 195, 208 and rounded off with 246 to secure top spot with 1318.
"After the practice yesterday, I more or less knew what line I had to bowl but when we started this morning, the lane conditions were slightly different," said the 15-year-old Singapore Sports School student. "Fortunately, both Francis and Henry advised me to make some adjustments and it paid off.
Despite making a late charge, both Park and Kim settled for second and third with 1286 and 1282 respectively. Yoon Won Jung of Uiwang hit the tournament's first perfect 300 in the fifth game but ended up fifth behind Jakarta's David Sitorus finishing fourth on 1220.
Newly-crowned Singapore Open Youth Girl champion, Gina Lim gave Singapore plenty to be proud of in their first outing in championship format. The 16-year-old totaled 1231 in the 6-game singles event to top Squad A.
Gina, who will turn 17 next month, posted lines of 189, 199, 263, 204, 186 and 190 to lead Pasay City's Ditas Red by 19 pins. Ditas amassed 1212 thanks to a strong second half 3-game series of 209, 214 and 212.
Busan's Jang Jee Hyang and Park Eun Sun finished third and fourth positions with 1195 and 1181 respectively. Paranaque City's Yap Seok Kim and Jakarta's Ivana Hie rounded up the top 6.
Squad B for both the men and women will take to the lanes for their singles later today in which last year's Masters champion, Purvis Granger will be a strong contender for the top 3 positions.
Detailed scores: Men's Singles Squad A | Women's Singles Squad A
Photos by Terence Yaw.