Bowling: Li Jane lifts gold, Malaysia win title

From left: Singapore’s Jazreel Tan, Malaysia’s Sin Li Jane and England’s Jo Allsebrook pose with their trophies at the Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.

SIN Li Jane produced a grand finale for Malaysia when she clinched nailed the women’s Masters’ gold medal in the 4th Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships at the Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.

At 16, Li Jane also made created history by becoming the event’s youngest Masters gold medallist, which also helped Malaysia become cfinish as overall champions.

Top seed Li Jane beat defeated Singapore’s Jazreel Tan 2-1, thanks to two wins on her favourite long oil pattern.

Earlier, the Malaysian Li Jane did better than her more illustrious opponents by topping the Masters round with a 12-game total of 2,697 pinfalls to earn the top seeding for the stepladder finals.

The Ipoh-born bowler went on a strike spree fest to fire a super 258 on long oil to take the first point in of the best-of-three games against Jazreel’s 185 and was looking confident of nailing the second point.
However, Li Jane started on a had three splits wrong footing in the second game, but when she had three splits owever, she fought back impressively hard to end with six straight consecutive strikes for a 211.

Jazreel, not about to go down without a fight, put in a faultless 269 game with 269 to draw level at 1-1.

In the title decider ing third game on long oil, Li Jane had one split in the second frame but recovered with four consecutive strikes to put ting pressure on her rival the Singaporean, who bungled with two splits.

In the end, Li Jane stayed cool and managed 202 to Jazreel’s 156 to earn Malaysia’s fourth and crucial gold medal to clinch the overall title.

The winner The tearful Li Jane raised her hands to signal ing victory much to the joy of her Malaysian teammates and the fans at the venue.

In the men’s final, England’s Paul Moor defeated teammate Darren Cundy 2-1 (216-189, 212-300, 258-189) to win the gold medal.

“I just feel great, the first thing I did was to call home with the good news,” said a the tearful Li Jane. in an smsBelfast on Friday.

“I would like to dedicate this win to my family, teammates, country and also especially to those who gave me the opportunity to compete in this event.”

Li Jane, who has been bowling rather exceptionally well in the tournament to win having won the singles gold and three silver (mixed doubles, team, all-events) prior to the Masters event, Li Jane said she was worried after losing the second game.

“I was slightly worried when I had two splits on short oil in the second game, but my coach Ben Heng told me to make some adjustments.

“ I did as he told me and I managed to strike home 269 in the deciding game,” to win my second gold medal,” said the Form Four student of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress’ (MTBC) move to send should also be given a tap on their back for naming junior bowlers to for the tournament should be applauded, as to their credit, in the end, their move paid dividends, as the young Malaysian team were crowned overall champions with a haul of four gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

In the men’s final, England’s Paul Moor beat defeated teammate Darren Cundy 2-1 (216-189, 212-300, 258-189) to win the gold medal.

RESULTS — First round of stepladder finals: Jazreel Tan (Sin) bt Jo Allsebrook (Eng) 2-1 (258-225, 206-228, 209-197).

Final: Sin Li Jane (Mas) bt Jazreel Tan 2-1 (258-188, 211-269, 202-156).

NST