Perak Leg Boys Graded Champion, Mohd Syazwan continues his prowess in Melaka

(Report by Tony Lim and YK Choo)

Mohd Syazwan bin Kamarudin of Terengganu held off a strong challenge from Alif Ihsan of Kedah to lead the field of 141 bowlers in the boys graded division. Left handed, Syazwan had a consistent 8 games series with a high game of 268 and scored 213 and 214 in the last 2 games for a total of 1696 pinfalls for a 212 average to pip Alif by 7 pins.

Alif had been scoring well with seven of his games above the 200 mark and the only blemish on the card was 164 in the last game and that was where he lost the lead. Nevertheless the top 48 bowlers in the boys graded division will advance to the second round where they will play another 6 games and the total of the 2 stages will determine the top 8 bowlers that will proceed to the finals.

Mohd Syafiq Syami bin Suhaimi of Selangor claim third placing with a 1678 pinfalls to register a 209 average while Tan Wooi Seng of Penang had to settle for fourth with a total of 1654 pinfalls and Mohd Firdaus Nor Hazamin of Perak finished in fifth placing with a total of 1603 pinfalls.

The atmosphere at MIBC bowling centre in Melaka is bustling with excitement as about 400 bowlers are competing in the national junior tenpin bowling circuit. This is by far the biggest turnout in the history of the event and it could be due to the fact that most of state contingents are sending their bowlers to have a feel of the venue which will also be the venue for the forthcoming Sukma.

Except for Sarawak and Sabah which have their own East Malaysian Leg of the National Junior Tenpin Bowling Circuit, most of the states in Malaysia have their SUKMA training team trying out the lanes and oiling condition at MIBC. Only Perlis is the notable absentee in the list.

While the oiling pattern used in this leg of the circuit which is similar to that of last year’s world cup, is already a challenge to the bowlers with tremendous emphasis on shot making and ball selection, the air conditioning is another headache which the bowlers and even the officials have to bear.

The MIBC bowling centre in Melaka which played host to the 2009 Qubica – AMF world cup and only 9 months in operation is already having problem keeping the temperature down. It is believed that a few of the compressors for the air conditioning system is not functioning and this could severely affect the lane conditions as well.

State teams which are competing in the Melaka leg of the National Junior Tenpin Bowling Circuit are as follows Kedah, Penang, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Wilayah Perseketuan, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Sekolah Sukan Banda Penawar.

Results can be downloaded in the "Downloads" box on the left.