More international success for national youth and junior squad

As has now become an annual tradition, a superb group of 20 tenpin bowlers, all aged between 11 and 21 years have made the trip to the UK to participate in the Norwich Junior Open, while six of the youngsters then also travelled to London, to take part in the London Junior Open, held right after the Norwich event.

Typically, the Maltese contingent played with a great level of enthusiasm and considerable ability, to bring home a sack full of trophies and honours.

Norwich Junior Open 2016

The Norwich Junior Open is divided into 7 age divisions: U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19 and U21 with a male and female category within each division. In spite of their playing away from home, and on unfamiliar lane conditions, a number of Malta’s bowlers managed to shoot their their personal best games, and also 3-game series.

To top that already enviable achievement, Malta’s youngsters also picked up 3 gold medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.

Gold – Team Event (Shaun Montanaro, Edward Xuereb, Matthew Magro, Sara Xuereb)

Gold – Alessia Schembri - Singles Females Graduate (U19)

Gold – Alessia Schembri - All Events Females Graduate (U19)

Silver – Shadon Psaila and Edward Xuereb – Doubles Junior (U13)

Bronze – Shadon Psaila – Singles Junior (U13)

Bronze – Matthew Magro – Singles Intermediate (U15).

The below were athletes who bowled their personal best game or series in Norwich:

Shadon Psaila – high game 222 – high series 523

Kurt Attard – high game 258 – high series 640 Raquel Xuereb – high series 560 Alessia Schembri – high series 654

Nicholas Muscat – high game 214 – high series 517 Nicholas Zahra – high series 661 Dwayne Zahra – high game 160 – high series 402

Damian Pisani – high series 424

London Junior Open 2016

The Maltese contingent of six bowlers which travelled on to London comprised; Dylan Santillo, Daniel Magro, Raquel Xuereb, Sara Xuereb, Edward Xuereb and Matthew Magro.

After the tough qualification stages, only two of Team Malta failed to make the cut; Daniel Magro and Raquel Xuereb, however both managed to bowl their personal best over six games, 1361 and 1409 respectively. Of the four who did qualify, a great 1369 total also meant a personal best for Edward Xuereb.

After the next rounds, only Sara Xuereb and Matthew Magro managed to continue to the final ‘Double Elimination’ stages.

When all final steps were completed, Magro and Xuereb finished 16th and 17th respectively overall, however Sara ended up winning the U-16 division outright, while her brother, Edward, was Runner Up in the U-13 division.