Glover and Penny bag England’s second gold

By RAJES PAUL and LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian bowling camp remained in sombre mood as England continued their dream run in the 15th World Bowling Championships, striking down their second gold medal at the Pyramid Mega Lanes in Bandar Sunway yesterday. 

While the Malaysian women again drew blanks, the hot English pair of Zara Glover-Kirsten Penny, who forged a partnership for the first time, set a championship record with a total of 2,737 to win the doubles gold medal. 

The 21-year-old Glover, who ended England’s 20-year drought of gold medal in the championships on Friday with victory in the singles, sizzled again with lines of 214-213-255-179-228-247. 

And Penny earned herself a big birthday gift. The European Championships doubles gold medallist, who turns 27 tomorrow, knocked down lines of 202-218-258-223-244-256 to win her first gold medal in her third appearance in the world championships.  

DOUBLES KINGS AND QUEENS: Sweden's Tomas Leandersson (top left) and Anders Ohman (top right) pose with England pair Zara Glover (left) and Kirten Penny after receiving their gold medals in the men's and women's doubles event Sunday night at the Pyramid Mega Lanes.

The English pair's score beat the old record of 2,595, set by Australia in the last championships in Abu Dhabi in 1999.  

“Winning a gold is a dream come true for me. I was rather disappointed with my performances in the singles but today I made up for it,” said Penny, who finished 22nd in the singles. 

An elated Chris Buck, who is the team's performance director, said: “This is an unbelievable situation. We have won the first two gold medals in the women’s competition. We can now enjoy the rest of the week and try to win all the other medals.” 

The Americans are also on a hot streak. Diandra Hyman-Lucy Sandelin finished second but they stayed hot on the heels of the English pair throughout the six games and were beaten by 69 pins. Hyman also claimed a meet record for her six-game score of 1,496.  

The 23-year-old Hyman conceded that Glover-Penny were just too good for them yesterday. 

“They just did not give us any chance today. But we will be out to do better in the trios,” she said. 

Venezuela's Patricia Ciotti-Alicia Marcano were the surprise bronze medallists with a score of 2,552. 

Shalin Zulkilfi-Choy Poh Lai were Malaysia’s top performers, finishing seventh with a score of 2,501. Wendy Chai-Lai Kin Ngoh were placed 22nd on 2,357 while Sarah Yap-Sharon Chai managed a 2,263 for 39th spot.  

National coach Holloway Cheah said: “It has been disappointing thus far. The bowlers will have to knock down high scores if they harbour any hopes to win a medal. Everyone is scoring high and we have to do the same.” 

The men's and women's trios' competitions begin today with the first block of three games. 

For the women's challenge, Malaysia have line up Shalin-Poh Lai-Wendy and Sarah-Kin Ngoh-Sharon as their trios. 

The men's trios comprise Azidi Ameran-Daniel Lim-Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew-Ben Heng-Jonathan Lim. 

RESULTS 

Women's doubles: 1. Zara Glover-Kirsten Penny (Eng) 2737, 2. Lucy Sandelin-Diandra Hyman (Usa) 2668, 3. Patricia Ciotti-Alicia Marcano (Ven) 2552, 4. Liza Del Rosario-Cecilia Yap (Phi) 2537, 5. Malin Glendert-Linda Haglund (Swe) 2522, 6. Kim Soo-kyung-Cha Mi-jung (Kor) 2514, 7. Shalin Zulkifli-Choy Poh Lai (Mas) 2501, 8. Lisa Duenow-Annita Manns (Usa) 2488, 9. Krista Pollanen-Piritta Kantola (Fin) 2480, 10. Alessandra Morra-Helga Di Benedetto (Ita) 2466. 

Other Malaysians: 22. Wendy Chai-Lai Kin Ngoh 2357, 39. Sarah Yap-Sharon Chai 2263.  

TODAY'S SCHEDULE 

MEN'S TRIOS (first block of three games) 

Three squads: 8am, 11.15am, 2.30pm (start times). 

WOMEN'S TRIOS (first block of three games) 

Two squads: 5.45pm, 9pm (start times)