2008 Hermosillo, Mexico

The semi final went right to the wire in the women’s section of the 44thQubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico.

There were just two pins separating Helen Johnsson of Sweden and Zara Glover of England with one game to go and they were playing each other in the position round.

It was nip and tuck all the way. Zara opened the first frame but Helen opened the 4th. Then both girls started striking. Zara left a single pin in the 10th and spared it, then struck, meaning that Helen had to strike with her first balls.  She left a single pin, finishing with a 225 game to Zara’s 237, giving Zara the coveted last spot in tomorrow’s stepladder final.

Zara said afterwards: “I feel sick. I am shaking so much. I really thought I had blown it with that nine count in the 10th frame, as Helen was lined up so well and I was sure she would strike. I can’t believe it – I had a good first day but I had to come from so far behind to make the finals. It’s brilliant!”

In top place is Singapore bowler Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, although defending champion Ann Maree Putney from Australian ran her very close and did move to the top of the leader board during the round robin semi final.

The men’s competition was a staid affair by comparison. The top three were settled before the position round and it was merely a question of the order they would finish in. When the dust settled, it was Derek Eoff from the USA on top with Martin Larsen of Sweden in second. Martin actually won their head to head position round but not by quite enough. In third place is Zulmazran Zulkifli from Malaysia.

Malaysia and Singapore have never won the QubicAMF BowlingWorld Cup either in the men’s section or the women’s. The two players will surely be trying to change that tomorrow.

The finals will be a step ladder format, with the third place player against the second in a best of three match. The winner will go forward to play the number one seed. The first match tomorrow will be Zara Glover against Ann Maree Putney, followed by Zulmazran Zukifli against Martin Larsen.

The women’s final will follow with the men’s final going on the lanes immediately afterwards. Both finals will be live on Mexican TV and the men’s final will be live on Eurosport, the women’s being recorded for transmission on Saturday.
November 13, 2008