17th April, K.Lumpur: National youth, Adrian Charles Dragon of Penang and Jerusha Chan of Pahang bagged the third leg of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit at Megalanes Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

The 17 year-old finally ended a long draught since joining the national youth squad when he had to work hard for the well-earned title. Adrian, the third-seed and challenger forced top-seed, Khairul Hadfiz of Kedah into the sudden-death decider after taking the first stepladder match, 228-177.

In the deciding match, Adrian was equally impressive beating Khairul 199-178 for the Boy's Open title. The champion had to work hard as well when he knocked out second-seed, Kenson Low of MSN/KL in a 9th and 10th frame roll-off to break the tie at 209 in the first stepladder match.

Adrian score 49 to Kenson's 27 before meeting the top-seed. In the same match, fourth-seed, Chang Sean Der could only manage 178 for remain in fourth while Low settled for third.

In the Boy's Graded division, top-seed Shahril Hafiz of Pyramid Youth edged third-seed and challenger, Abdul Muhaimin Khairuddin of Perak, 182-180 to claim his first-ever circuit title. Abdul Muhaimin, who led in all the preliminary rounds, settled for second despite winning the first stepladder match with 212-182-172 against two Pahang youths Mohamed Hanif Mohd Bakri and fourth-seed, Mohamed Saman Mohd Shuib.

Jerusha Chan of Pahang sprang a surprise over season campaigners when she led the round-robin finals to make the stepladder finals as top-seed. Third-seed, Nazrinnah Mohd Kamil of Perak took the Girl's Open first stepladder match by ousting quarterfinals leader and second-seed, Lina Marissa Zamri of Kedah and fourth-seed, Aressa Malenie, 203-201-185.

The challenger almost snatch the title from Chan when Nazrinnah won the first game, 188-160 to force a sudden-death decider. But Chan soon got her composure together to beat Nazrinnah 189-172 for her first-ever title. Nazrinnah settled for second with Lina Marissa Zamri and Aressa Malenie claiming third and fourth positions respectively.

Quarterfinals leader and top-seed, Cheryl Cheong of MSN/KL edged third-seed and challenger, Bettina Tan of Pyramid Youth, 174-171 to claim the Girl's Graded title. Bettina Tan, who won the second leg in Penang early this month, settled for second.

Tan won the first match defeating second-seed and teammate, Melissa Lee and fourth-seed, Tengku Haifaa Bte Tengku Osman, 167-166-145. The next leg of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit moves to Kuantan for the fourth leg from April 29 to May 1.

Photos by Tay Li Neo, MTBC

16th April, K.Lumpur: Penang's Adrian Charles Dragon and Kedah's Lina Marissa Zamri took the lead in the quarterfinals of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit third leg at Megalanes Kuala Lumpur this evening.

National Youth, Adrian Charles Dragon took over the lead from Chang Sean Der of MSN/KL after totalling 2809. Dragon, who trailed Chang in Stage 1 this morning, built up a lead of 38 pins over Chang's 2771 total. Kenson Low of MSN/KL remained in third position with a score of 2756 ahead of SSBP/Johor's Aliff Ahmad on 2705.

The 17 year-old will be hoping to end a long draught without winning a title since being drafted into the national youth ranks. 2004 GP finalists, Fahmi Bahri of Johor finished fifth with 2673 followed by MSSM 4 Gold medalist and Asian Schools Championship representative, Syahereza Fajrin in sixth position with 2667.

In the Girl's Open division, national youth rookie, Lina Marissa Zamri built up a commanding lead of 47 pins over Pahang's Jerusha Chan when she overtook Stage 1 leader, Dhira Bte Marzuki of SSBP/Johor with a total of 2611. Chan scored 2564 to claim second spot while Nicole Teong of MSN/KL finished third with 2526.

Negeri Sembilan's Aressa Malenie finished fourth with 2525 while Dhira Bte Marzuki dropped to fifth spot with 2521. Fifth and sixth places went to Perak's Nor Atteya and Nazrinnah Bte Mohd Kamil on 2497 and 2474 respectively with MNS/KL's Denise Ho taking the final semifinal spot in eighth with 2447.

Cheryl Cheong of Pyramid Youth led the Girl's Graded division at the end of the quarterfinals with a score of 2416 ahead of Perak's Nur Ilyanafarha in second with 2391. Melissa Lee, who was second in Stage 1 dropped to third with 2373 while Penang leg champion and Stage 1 leader, Bettina Tan settling for fifth spot with 2328.

Meanwhile, Stage 1 leader, Abdul Muhaimin Khairuddin continued his fine form to lead the Boy's Graded top 8 into the semifinals with a total 2690 from Xavian Ang of MSN/KL in second with 2596. Asian Schools representative, Jonathan Chan finished third with 2587.

The top 8 in all the divisions will contest in tomorrow's round-robin semifinals. The top 6 at the end of the semifinals will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the third leg champions.

Photos by Tay Li Neo, MTBC.

15th April, K.Lumpur: Abdul Muhaimin Khairuddin of Perak ended Boy's Stage 1 of 8 games of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit third leg underway at Megalanes Kuala Lumpur.

Abdul Muhaimin took the lead in a field of 111 boy's graded division with a total score of 1551 from 8th Asian Schools representative, Jonathan Chan of Pahang in second spot with 1510. Despite two low games towards the end of the 8-game first block, Abdul Muhaimin still commanded a lead with 41 pins to spare.

Third spot went to Pahang's Mohammad Saman Mohd Shuib with a total of 1508. Two Pyramid Youth bowlers, Shahril Hafiz and Yap Eu Win took fourth and fifth positions with 1494 and 1452 respectively.

The Girl's Graded will commence their Stage 1 of 8 games shortly after lane maintenance while the top 48 Boy's Graded division made the cut for another 6 games in the quarter finals to be contested tomorrow.

Photos by Tay Li Neo, MTBC.