Singapore youths make good progress

13th December, K.Lumpur: Singapore youths continued to make good progress at the 11th MILO International Junior All Stars Championship with Sports School's Michaela Oehler and Jonathan Ng Yew Weng both topping the Girl's and Boy's Open Masters overseas qualifiers' table. Michaela Oehler, a member of SBF development youth squad, started off her second qualifying attempt with a moderate 182 but the 17-year-old picked up her tempo to fire 212 and 237 to end her effort with 631 to move into the lead of the Girl's Open Masters overseas qualifier's table.

The Singapore lass dislodged overnight leader Bianca Tofilau of New Zealand, who slipped down to second with 628. Netherlands' Wendy Kok also dropped one spot down to third with 626 followed by Clara Lau of Singapore fourth with 549.

There were no changes atop the local pool. Singapore Open champion, Sin Li Jane remained in the lead with 736 followed by high game achiever, Hee Kar Yen in second with 681. Indonesia Open champion, Zatil Iman improved to third with 690.   Newly-crowned Singapore national champion, Bernice Lim, who has yet to make her attempt, did bowl her singles and shot 688 to take up second in the Special Singles award. She will be making her attempt later today. Over at the Boy's division, Jonathan Ng Yew Weng made headway after his fifth attempt to register 680 and moved into the lead of the overseas qualifiers' table. Overnight leader, Sam Cooley of Australia and Michael Chan of Hong Kong took up second and third with 674 and 673 respectively.

The 17-year-old Ng, who has competed in the last three Junior All Stars championships and had not qualified before, will not let this golden opportunity slip by him when he contest the Masters finals on Saturday, December 18.

Meanwhile, Malaysian national backup squad member, Syimir Abdul Razak missed the RM1,000 perfect game award by a single pin when he shot 299 in his third qualifying game. Syimir rolled 253 and 203 earlier to give himself a total of 755 and pole position.   Johnathan Chan and Adrian Ang of Malaysia took second and third spot with 745 and 743 in the lcoal pool. Singapore's Shaun Lau, Tay Hui Chiang, Howard Saw and Keith Saw were the other Singapore youths who have currently made the finals.

Detailed scores: Girl's Open Qualifying | Boy's Open Qualifying. Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.