Singapore snatches another gold

8th July, Bangkok: Shaun Lau and Jevarn Li snatched the gold medal for a second time for Singapore by overhauling leader, Thailand in the third squad to win the Boy's Doubles of the 13th Asian Schools Tenpin Bowling Championship on Friday.  Thailand Team B's Krittin Kunumphon and Atittarat Cheng had set the 6-game Doubles benchmark of 2564 in the first squad last night. Muhammad Jaris Goh and Singles gold medalist, Howard Saw had failed to topple the Thais despite topping Squad B with 2482.

Singapore A team's second pair of Shaun Lau Jia Rong and Jevarn Li Jun was quick to settle into a good pace by rolling 460 in their opening game to lead Malaysia B pair of Ahmad Adil and Muhamad Afnan by 37 pins.

Another sizzling 470 allowed the Singapore pair to pull away to a strong margin of 88 pins over Kuwait A pair of Moahammad Salem and Singles bronze medalist, Abdulla Ahmed taking over second spot.

But the Kuwaitis were hot on their heels and was able to arrow the gap to 36 pins after shooting 462 as the leader downed 410. Mohammad Salem and Abdulla Ahmed surged into the front with another superb 431 as the Singaporeans fumbled to a 372 in the fourth game.

Shaun and Jevarn then reversed the position to regain the lead with and identical 431 as the Kuwait pair managed only 376. The good game in the fifth put the Singapore pair needing 421 or more to overhaul Thailand for the gold.

Kuwait required 453 or more to stand any chance of toppling the Thais and if they can also overcome a 32-pin deficit to the Singapore pair, they would be in contention as well. The final game was a thrilling affair, similar to the doubles event seen in the girl's division last night.

Mohammad had an opened frame in the third but recovered with three strikes in a row while Abdulla had six strikes from frame two which in turn forced Shaun to drop his ball after a turkey.

But Javarn Li came to the rescue reeling in a five bagger. Shaun did end strong with 191 and Javarn shot a stunning 242 for a 433 final game to beat the Thais by 12 pins to win a second gold medal for Singapore.

Mohammad ended with 172 after two more open frames and despite Abdulla posting a sizzling 258, their final game total was not enough to overtake Singapore as well as Thailand and had to settle for the bronze with 2541.

"When I was told that we were leading after the fifth game, I suddenly was very tense," said the 16-year-old championship debutant, Shaun Lau of Maris Stella High. "But uncle John (Liaw) tpld us to forget about the scores and focus on our game."

"The advice paid off and we remain calm throughout the final game and taking each shot at a time," added 15-year-old Jevarn Li of ACS(I), who contributed 1302 while Shaun scored 1274. "I had a great first four games but we lost a bit of focus in the fifth game.

"We're glad to contribute another gold for Singapore and we have to thank our team-mates and parents who are here to lend their support."

Second squad leader, Muhammad Jaris Goh and Howard Saw were knocked off the podium into fourth spot by their team-mates and Kuwait. Japan slipped down to fifth and Hong Kong rounded up the top 6.

Detailed scores: Boy's Doubles Combined | Boy's Doubles Squad C | Photo Album.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.