3rd July, K.Kinabalu: Sabah and Sarawak shared honours in the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MSSM Junior Circuit Sabah Leg as Sabah youth took the Boy's Open and Girl's Graded titles while Sarawak youth claimed the Boy's Graded and Girl's Open titles.

Top-seed Tan Chien Nan defeated Mohd Zaim Said, 187-172 in the final stelpadder match to claim the Boy's Open title. Tan, who was second in yesterday's quarterfinals, totalled 4269 in the Round-robin Matchplay semifinals to make the stepladder on pole position.

Mohd Zaim settled for second despite knocking out third-seed Alex Tan Khai Lung of Kuching and quarterfinals leader and fourth-seed, Clement Loh, 222-198-207 for a match with the champion. Alex Tan and Clement Loh remained third and fourth after loosing the first match.

In the Girl's Open division, third-seed, Nur Rasidah of Kuching was victorious when she defeated top-seed, Wilhelmina Wee, in two games. Nur Rasidah won the first match, 203-183 to take Wee into the sudden-death match. In the crucial decider, Nur Rasidah again impressed by taking the match, 200-176 for a well-deserved win.

The champion ousted Jacqueline Jenele of Kuching and fourth-seed, Therese Vincent Sipaul of Sabah, 189-177-140 to challenge for the title. Wee, who topped the earlier Round-robin semifinals with a total of 3974 settled for second with Jacqueline and Therese finishing third and fourth.

Fourth-seed, Aqilah Zaiyannie of Sabah claimed her first-ever Girl's Graded title when she defeated top-seed Nur Hanisa Salam, 171,200 to 154,190. The champion also knocked out second-seed, Dayang Khairunnisa and third-seed Izzati Nur Ain, both from Kuching, 190-122-169 in the first match.

The Boy's Graded title went to quaterfinals leader, Wellington Wee of Kuching after he beat another top-seed, Ronnie Lee of Kuching, 234,192 to 181,126 in the all-Kuching stepladder finals. Wee moved up the ladder after he ousted third-seed, Bong Kihow and fourth-seed, Sunny Lee, 196-168-163 earlier.

Mohd Ayub Dahlan, Deputy President Sabah Tenpin Bowling Association, and Tony Lim Team Manager from Miri were at hand to present the prizes to the winners. MTBC Roving coach, Marcus Lee was also at Kota Kinabalu to witness the 2 day event.

Report and photos by Robert Lu, ABAS.

2nd July, K.Kinabalu: Sarawak youths dominated the quarterfinals of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MSSM Junior Circuit Sabah leg underway at CPS Bowl this evening except for local lad, Clement Loh who led the Boy's Open division.

Except for local lad, Clement Loh of Kota Kinabalu, all the other three divisions pole positions were occupied by Sarawak youths. Loh, who finished third in Round 1, overtook the leader to take up pole position after he totalled 2726.

Another local youth, Tan Chien Nan finished second with 2620 ahead of national youth, Mohammad Zaim Said in third spot with 2596 thereby occupying the top 3 positions. Alex Tan Khai Lung was the best Sarawakian taking up fourth spot with 2550.

In the Boy's Graded division, Welllington Wee of Kuching, took over the lead with a total of 2446. Wee, who finished joint-eighth in Round 1 posted the highest 6-game series of 1088 for the lead while Jasper Ling of Sibu, improved one notch to occupy second position with 2455.

Sunny Lee of Kuching did well to also improved to finsih third with 2451 followed by Ronnie Lee in fourth spot with 2430. Round 1 leader, Fuaad Semonan of Kota Kinabalu, dropped to fifth spot with 2417.

Fakharuzzaman Jasmi of Kuching (2402), Bong Kihow of Kuching (2387) and Barry Pui of Miri (2383) completed the top 8 to make the cut for Sunday's Round-robin Matchplay semifinals from sixth to eighth positions respectively.

Both Jacqueline Jenelee of Kuching and Nur Hanisa Salam of Sibu stole the limelight in the Girl's divisions. Round 1 leader of the Girl's Open division, Jacqueline totalled 2535 over the 8-game Round 1 and 6-game quarterfinals to take the lead followed by Wilhelmina Wee of Kuching with 2509 and Therese Vincent Sipaul of Kota Kinabalu in third with 2447.

Nur Hanisa of Sibu continued to lead the Girl's Graded division with a total of 2596, 189 pins ahead of second-placed, Dayang Khairunisa of Kuching in second and Teresa Lee of Kuching in third with 2407 and 2348 respectively.

The top 8 in each of the four divisions will contest in Sunday's Round-robin semifinals. The top 4 at the end of the 8-game roll-off will proceed to the stepladder grand finals to determine the champion of the return leg.

Report and photos by Robert Lu, ABAS.