Singapore secures second silver - Singapore Bowling Federation

Singapore secures second silver

10th September, Hong Kong: A second silver medal was added to Singapore's haul at the World Women Championships 2011 after Cherie Tan, Daphne Tan, New Hui Fen, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan reached the finals only to lose to Team USA in the title match on Saturday. Singapore was on a roll when they trashed third-seed, Colombia with a stunning 1225-1103 victory in the second semi-final match. Cherie and Jazreel were the stars knocking down massive games of 278 and 290 while Daphne, Hui Fen and Shayna contributed 196, 226 and 235.

In the title match against No. 4 seed, Team USA Singapore was equally brilliant setting a cracking pace in the long oil pattern chosen by the team being a higher seed finalist.

But the Americans fought back to break the hearts of the players and supporters after going down, 1140-1210. The effort secured Singapore's second silver medal. Shayn had won the bronze in the opening singles event.

New Hui Fen and Jazreel Tan were denied their gold when they were beaten by the Amercians in the Doubles finals to earn their first silver medal.

"The girls were really awesome in the semi-finals against the Colombians," said national head coach, William Woo, who spoke for Singapore as the girls were devastated and too emotional to be interviewed.

"They put on another wonderful show of grid and determination and at the end of the day, a better team won. So far, we're pretty happy with what we've achieved - two silver and a bronze, by far our best in its championship history.

All is not over yet. We've three girls in the Masters finals and I'm sure they can cause a few surprises and maybe, who knows, we might come away with a victory."

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Shannon Pluhowsky, Shannon O'Keefe (alternated with Stafanie Nation), Kelly Kulick and Liz Johnson had earlier eliminated top seed, Germany 1080-970 in the other semi.

For the fourth consecutive time, a fourth seed had gone all the way to claim the gold medal. Jacqueline Sijore of Malaysia won the Singles as fourth seed, and the Americans won the Doubles, Trios and Team as fourth seed.

USA, who finished first runner-up for the three consecutive world championships finally won the gold after 25 years.

After a superb performance in the first block 5-player Team event bowled on Thursday, Cherie Tan, Daphne Tan, New Hui Fen, Shanya Ng and Jazreel Tan continued where they left off to add another great performance to finish second at the end of the second block.

Germany took pole with 6750, 75 pins ahead of Team Singapore. Colombia stormed home in their final game to secure third spot with 6662 edging Team USA, who finish fourth, by 2 pins.

Reigning champion, Korea, who sent into the lead after the fourth game, were relegated to fifth and crucially missing the top 4 semi-final. Overnight leader, Denmark ended a disappointing seventh position, behind Australia in sixth position.

Meanwhile, Mai Ginge Jensen clinched the All Events gold medal after finishing top in the standings with 5744. 2009 AMF World Cup champion, Caroline Lagrange of Canada took home the silver with 5687 and Pluhowsky of USA the bronze with 5607.

Three Americans, four Koreans, three Singaporeans, three Germans and one each from Denmark, Canada and Indonesia made up the top 16 who advanced into the Masters elimination finals over best-of-5 matches tomorrow.

Hong Su-Yeon, who tied 16th position with team-mate, Hwang Sun-Ok on 5373 qualified for the finals by virtue of scoring a higher last game of 279 in the final discipline over Hwang's 190.

United States is way ahead in the medal tally with 3 gold and 3 bronze medals. Malaysia and Denmark shared second spot with one gold medal each in the Singles and All Events. Singapore is third with 2 silver and a bronze medal.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.