Singaporean secures stepladder spot

5th June, Singapore: Singapore national bowler, New Hui Fen secured her spot in the Women’s Open Masters stepladder finals of the 43rd Singapore International Open after ending the second block behind leader, Sin Li Jane of Malaysia. Asian Youth Games two gold medalist, New Hui Fen started the second block superbly with 226 to immediately take over the running from overnight leader, Sin Li Jane of Malaysia. The 18-year-old Singaporean continued to fire 247, 264 and 200 to build up a gap of 27 pins.

Despite managing only 185 in the fifth game, Hui Fen still held on to the lead albeit having her gap reduced to just 3 pins. Two lowly games in the sixth and seventh allowed Li Jane to regain her lead after the latter rolled 216 and 198.

Li Jane ended the block stronger with 223 to firm up her pole position for the stepladder finals with a 16-game total of 3502. Hui Fen secured her spot in second with 3442.   A second Malaysian, Esther Cheah booked her place finishing third with 3337 while the fourth and final spot went to Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsiao Ping with 3332. Defending champion, Sharon Koh missed the cut by 12 pins on 3320 despite a strong end to her effort. Both the Tan siblings, Daphne and Cherie, who were at one stage in with a shot, fizzled off to end in 11th and 12th positions as Jazreel Tan ended much stronger than the duo to take up seventh position.

Hui Fen will carry the nation’s hope as she meet Esther Cheah and Hsiao Pin in the first match over one game. The winner will face top seed, Li Jane in the finals over one-plus-one finals to determine this year’s women champion.

The men will resume with their second block after lane maintenance for another 8 games and the top 4 will advance to the stepladder finals which will commence at 5.00pm.     Photos by Terence Yaw for SBF.