Safiyah and Natasha take top spots in IBF W-cup group stage
PETALING JAYA: Bowlers Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (pic) and Natasha Roslan stayed in the hunt for glory in the IBF World Cup after taking the lead in their respective groups.
A cool and composed Safiyah won four out of five matches at the Suncity Tenpin Bowl in Queensland, Australia, yesterday to share the top spot with Germany’s Janin Rigbuth and Australia’s Grace Fahy with 12 points in Group C.
She beat New Zealand’s Melanie Lister (163-153), Singapore’s Cherie Tan (207-193), United States’ Danielle Mcewan (259-173) and Sweden’s Anna Andersson (266-190) but dropped one match after losing 214234 to Mades Arles of the Philippines.
Safiyah was happy with her fine start.
“I hope to continue winning more matches in the next five games so that I can solidify my position for the top four,” said Safiyah.
“My toughest match-up today was against the Philippines. She was able the get the strikes when she needed it.
“I think bowlers from United States and Singapore are pretty tough opponents too.”
In Group D, Natasha finished top with 15 points after beating Sweden’s Josefin Hermansson (212-173), Germany’s Saskia Malz (226-191), the Philippines’s Krizziah Macatula (190-178), Singapore’s Colleen Pee (235-167) and New Zealand’s Sarah Young (217-182).
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam kept his hopes alive after taking the third spot with 13 points from seven games in Group C.
He lost the first match against United States’ AJ Johnson 253-178 but bounced back by beating the Philippines’ Merwin Tan (231-179), Germany’s Frank Dervestedt (194176) and New Zealand’s Josh Stretton (232-178).
In the last two games, he lost to Australia’s Jason Belmonte 236-245 and drew against Puerto Rico’s Eisam Hussein 214-214.
“I bowled pretty good. The lane transition was actually quite tricky because the friction is very high but I coped with it,” he said.
“And also I struck a 300 on the second game. The plan is to just keep calm and make good shots because it’s anyone’s game. I’ve one more block to qualify for the top 32 and hopefully, everything goes well.”