16th July, S.Prai: National youth, Mohammad Faiz Shahruddin and Irene Lee stole the limelight by winning the fifth leg of the Piala Remaja Milo Ranking Masters at Mega Lanes Sberang Prai this afternoon.

Malaysian Open 2005 Graded Champion, 18-year-old Mohd Faiz dazzled the capacity crowd with a spirited display of prowess to wrest the Under-21 Boy's crown by edging out rookie and 16-year-old, Abdul Qayyum of Penang in the deciding sudden-death stepladder finals. Perching on top of the field with 1,630 pinfalls after 8 games, Abdul Qayyum waited precariously for his title debut.

A keen tussle till the last frame saw Mohd Faiz edged out Abdul Qayyum with a 193-184 scoreline. Capitalising on his experience, Mohd Faiz confidently raced to a 216-201 victory to grab the title.

Second placed, Mohd Faiz earned his right for a shot at the title when he disposed off Mohd Shahzuan of Kedah and Abdul Muhaimin of Perak earlier with a margin of 181-153-160 respectively.

In the Under-21 Girl's division, petite Irene Lee of Penang stamped her supremacy on the lanes despite a cooling period to concentrate on her preparation for SPM exams this year. Executing immaculate delivery shots, the 17-year-old Irene grabbed pole position after 8 games with 1,538 total.

The Penang lass showed no mercy to her challenger and SUKPEN Gold medalist, Fatin Syazliana, starting off with five consecutive strikes to finish with a comfortable 226-193 margin. In the earlier match, Fatin Syazliana earned the title shot with a 222-157-140 victory over second-seed, Lina Marissa Zamri of Kedah and Lili Mardiah of Perak respectively.

A champion in the making, 14-year-old Muhd Zakwan Khairuddin of Perak was in his element as he wrested the Under-14 Boy's title. Muhd Zakwan shrugged off his poor first game loss at 158-212 to recover with a 206-170 score line in the sudden-death game to beat lanky Khoo Beng Khai of Penang for his first title. Low Wooi Kit, 14 of Kedah emerged third, followed by Azer Azrin of Kedah in fourth.

A newly-unearthed talent, Fatin Hazwani of Kedah captured the attention of the crowd as she snatched the Under-14 Girl's title. Unrattled by more fancied bowlers, the 14-year-old Fatin defeated pole sitter, Siti Nur Nadia of Penang with a 156-146 and 174-137 victory over two stepladder finals matches. Tengku Aimi Laily of Kedah and Perak's Nurfarah Ashiqin came in third and fourth psotions respectively.

Story and photos by B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP.