Singaporean in superb form

Singaporean in superb form

9th November, Mexico: 2005 National champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan was in superb form after she finished second to England's Zara Glover in the first block of qualifying round in the 44th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup at Bol 300 in Hermosillo. 2005 National champion and debutant, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan started off with 212, 224 and 222 in the first three games of the six-game first block as Netherlands' Lisanne Breeschoten took the early lead.

In the second half, the Singaporean was on fire reeling off 226, 239 and 257 to snatch second spot with a total of 1380. Debutant, Zara Glover of England topped the block with a scintilating 1424 thanks to two games of 278.

Zara was not the only star. Sara Vargas of Columbia thrilled the big crowd when she hit the magic 300, becoming the seventh woman to roll a perfect game in the history of the Bowling World Cup.   "In the middle three games my timing went off so I had to try to get it back and it really worked with two good games to follow," said Zara Glover. "This is my first World Cup and I'm so excited to be here.

"Everyone has told me what a great tournament it is and I've come second in our qualifying twice. I've been trying to get through to the World Cup for 10 years so to be on top is especially thrilling for me, even if it is only after six games." Meanwhile, Singapore's male representative, Lee Yu-Wen, who finished 11th in Squad B, ended up a respectable 18th position after he downed 1270 in the Men's division. Lee had lines of 237, 215, 180, 223, 258 but a 157 in his final game dropped him off the top 10 positions.

Sweden's Martin Larsen, who led in the first squad, retained the lead with a score of 1372 ahead of Derek Eoff of USA in second with 1340. Jack Guay, who topped the second squad finished third with 1337.

"I know the World Cup is a very long format and I wanted to focus on throwing a good ball, not chasing strikes but making my spares. And then I missed a single pin in the very first frame! After that, it went well and I'm very pleased with my game today," said the World Championship doubles silver medalist, Larsen.   Ireland's Paul Stott dropped to fourth overall with 1335 after the two squads were combined ahead of Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli, who was second in Squad B. The Malaysian's 1323 put him fifth overall.

High game of the tournament so far goes to Nikita Koshelev of Russia with 278. After a further three block of six games totaling of 24, the field will cut to the top 24 which is currently being occupied by Pithakvarakorn Phiriyahbhoon of Thailand on 1255.

he bowlers will bowl another three blocks of six games over the next three days. The top 24 will advance to the second round. The tournament will finish on Friday 15th November and the finals will be live on Mexican television and on Eurosport in Europe.

Detailed scores: Women's 1stBlk | Men's 1stBlk. Photos courtesy of QubicaAMF.