Rafiq Ismail put in a spirited performance to lead the boys' team into second place in Squad One. - filepic
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have put themselves in a promising position after the boys secured a top four finished in the first block of the team event at the World Youth Championships in Hong Kong.
After coming up short in the singles (Saturday) and doubles competitions (Monday), Malaysia greatly needed an improved performance at the SCAA Bowling Centre on Tuesday to get their campaign back on track.
Bowling on the long-oil pattern in the first block, it was Rafiq Ismail’s spirited display – reeling in seven consecutive strikes – in the opening game to chalk up a huge 268 total set the team on the right path as they secured a 769 total.
It galvanized the rest of the squad as Timmy Tan (258), Jonathan Ding Sagan (207) and Ahmad Muaz Fishol (243) bounced back impressively with Rafiq’s 220 for a massive combined total of 928 in the second game.
The foursome then managed a combined 795 pinfalls in the third game for a 2,494 total to take them second behind the United Stated with 2,573 in Squad One.
The score was enough to see them maintain their spot in the overall standings as Squad Two’s best performer Canada only managed 2,412 pinfalls.
In the girls’ division, Victoria Chin, Radin Nur Najwa Arifah Radin Dzulfakar, Natasha Roslan and Nerosha Keligit led Squad Two with 2,402 pinfalls ahead of Sweden (2,371) and Russia (2,333) respectively in the first block.
Radin was the best performer as she racked up lines of 248-181-209 for a three-game total of 638. Victoria (161-216-229) was close behind with 606 pinfalls.
Youth bowler Nerosha, who has endured a tough tournament thus far, had a much improved outing with 589 total while Natasha contributed 569.
Japan lead the overall standings with 2,505 followed by Finland (2,477) and Sweden (2,371) in fourth.
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