AYG Bowling: Singapore boys team stands in third place behind Japan and Hong Kong after first 3 games

Story by Chin Chi Hua/Red Sports. Photos by Leslie Tan/Red Sports.

Orchid Country Club, Friday, July 3, 2009 – Singapore’s Asian Youth Games boys’ bowling team, consisting of Basil Low, Brandon Lee, Christopher Hwang and Justin Lim, completed three games of the Team Event and currently stands at third position with a score of 2485. Japan leads with 2552 pinfalls, while Hong Kong stands at second place with 2545, just 7 pinfalls adrift.

With the spectators stand packed with supporters for Team Singapore, it was a constant outpouring of encouragement and cheering for the boys.

“We are all here to support them as they are our teammates and we really look up to them as our role models,” said Marimuthu Anchal Indrani Guardiana, captain of the Singapore Sports School girls’ bowling team.

The first game was a magnificent showcase from the boys, as they were in good form and knocked down 947 pinfalls altogether. But their 67-pinfall lead after the first set was diminished by Japan in the second game, where the Singapore team suffered a setback.

The combined score of the boys only stood at 344 after as late as the seventh frame, a stark contrast to the dazzling first game. They eventually finished with 703 pinfalls, bringing Singapore to third position, behind Japan and Philippines.

Unsure of what led to the sudden downfall of the team, Marimuthu voiced her continued support for the team as she said, “The score dropped but I’m not sure why as well. I just hope that they can make a comeback.”

Indeed, her words came true and Singapore returned to the third game with a bang, as Basil bowled four consecutive strikes and his team mates equally pumped up for a comeback.

Despite the boys’ best efforts in the third game, there was no doubt that Japan was a strong contender for the gold medal as they never once allowed the lead to narrow. It was a close fight between Japan and Singapore in the third game, as players matched one another strike for strike. Eventually Singapore finished the game with 835 pinfalls, which was comparable to their first set.

The morning session ended with Japan leading the scoreboard with 2552 pinfalls. Hong Kong trailed close behind with 2545 and Singapore is in third place, with 2485 pinfalls.

The girls’ team, represented by Darshini Krishna, Anthea Soh, Ilma Nur Jannah Fadzal and New Hui Fen, will be playing in the Team Event at 1.30pm today.

The boys’ team will be back in action tomorrow at 1.30pm.