KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 National kegler Natasha Roslan kept her cool to maintain her overnight lead to finish the first stage of 24 games to advance to the second stage of the QubicaAMF 55th Bowling World Cup at Palembang, Indonesia, today.
The almost freezing conditions at the Jakabaring Bowling Centre certainly had no effect on her performance as she reeled off scores of 203, 205, 212, 201 and despite a 192 on her fifth game, she went on to finish with a bang with her highest for the day and three days with 235 for a total of 5,016 pinfalls.
The 23-year-old’s previous high game was 234 on the first day, also in her last game eight. Only the top 24 keglers are able to bowl in the second stage.
The United States’ Kelly Kulick finished second with a total of 4,958 pinfalls, 58 pins behind Natasha, while Dominican Republic’s Aumi Guerra and Russia’s Maria Koshel were tied on 4,896 for third and fourth places respectively.
Wary of the challengers’ ability to turn the tables on her in the upcoming stage, the debutant said it is important for her to remain focused and execute her shots well and consistently.
It is great that I have remained consistent for the last three days. Qualifying as the top in 24 is a bonus because current positions mean nothing. There is still another stage of eight games tomorrow, where it is important to finish among the top eight to move to the next stage.
The fact that the scores from the previous stage are carried forward gives me only a slight advantage. I still have to bowl well, so I rather not get excited over the current situation and take each day as it comes.
Then the following next stage on Saturday is crucial, as we will bowl a further 8 games league style, round robin with bonus points (30 pins for a win, 15 pins for a tie, 0 pin for a loss), for a 40-game total pinfall including bonus points, to decide the top 4 qualifiers to go forward to fourth stage, she said in a statement from the organisers.
As Natasha was once again sailing with ease as many of the bowlers were having problems to score consistently, coach Ben Heng said she bowled simple without much hook, so her lines are easier to maintain.
This type of bowling helps in the women’s category as the lanes don’t get burnt down like in the men’s categories. Some of the women who were having problems were hook bowlers who had to make adjustments to the lane, he said.
Results (Top 24 qualifiers)
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1. Natasha Roslan (MAS) 5016; 2. Kelly Kulick (USA) 4954; 3. Maria Koshel (Rus) 4896; 4. Aumi Guerra (Dominican Rep) 4896; 5. Jeon Eunhee (S. Korea) 4875; 6. Nadine Geissier (Ger) 4845; 7. Stephanie Martina (Brazil) 4831; 8. Catherine Durieux (Belgium) 4786; 9. Rebecca Whiting (Australia) 4752; 10, Karen Marcano (Venezuela) 4731; 11. Tania Yusal (Scotland) 4666; 12. Fiona Liew (Singapore) 4656; 13. Jessica Atan-Chan (Costa Rica) 4655; 14. Shinta Ceysaria Yunita (Indonesia) 4640; 15, Lindsey Paling (Netherlands) 4590; 16. Isabel Allen ( England) 4577; 17. Felica Wong (Canada) 4575; 18. Sanna Pasanen (Finland) 4570; 19. Krizziah Lyn Tabora (Philippines) 4560; 20. Edith Quintanilla (El Salvador) 4549; 21. Yumi Yuzuriha (Peru) 4527; 22. Chan Shuk Han (Hong Kong) 4524; 23. Alja Bergauer (Slovenia) 4502; 24. Amandine Jacques (France) 4488
Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)