Sammut grabs lead as German remains top in women's event

After week two of the first round of the Vodka Cruiser Gold Cup 2003, 12 of the 18 qualifying games have now been played.

Alan Sammut has now snatched the lead in the 26-strong field of male competitors while 2002 champion Marita German remains atop of the ladies' section which consists of 12 bowlers.

It was all change for the top three in the men's competition last week, as Sammut rolled a gross series of 1230 (1194 net) to ease into first place with a total of 2404 (2332 scratch, 194 ave).

Although Sammut got off to a shaky start, bowling a pair of 153 games, he improved with a run of 226, 206, and a great 264 before rounding off with a 192. Behind by 31 pins in second place is Andre Grech on a 2373 total (2229 scratch, 185 ave) after rolling a more consistent and settled six-game set than that of week one.

Grech is followed by Mark Muscat who is 20 pins down on 2353 (196 ave). Muscat is the only scratch bowler among the top three, but picked up good games of 204, 215 and a big 246 to push him up the standings. He also has the highest overall scratch total to date.

Previous leader Jamie Farrugia is down to fifth place on 2343 after a poor performance in week two (886 scratch, 1096 gross).

In contrast to the men, there was no change to the top three in the ladies' section with German staying 97 pins ahead in first place.

German also boasts the highest scratch total overall (2166, 180 ave).

German's performance was unconvincing when compared to that of week one, as she completed a 988 scratch six-set (1060 gross) to give her a 12-game total of 2310 pins.

Pamela Demanuele is still chasing in second place, and fared only marginally better than German on the day with a 1064 gross total to leave her with 2213 to date.

Melissa Camenzuli strengthened her position in third place by scoring a week-two total of 1089 to give her a 2189 total, just 24 pins behind Demanuele, and 121 adrift of first place.

The third and final week of round one will see another six games played, before the cut to stage two, with previous pinfall being carried forward.

Winners set for Poland participation

After a further six-stage two games, the top six men and ladies will compete in a round robin to decide the top three.

These will then go on to the step-ladder finals when the championship titles will be decided.

The winner of each section will travel to Poland in May to represent Malta in the European Gold Cup Tournament.

The Gold Cup is made possible by the financial backing of Vodka Cruiser, represented in Malta by Mirachem Ltd., along with the organisation and collaboration of the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association and the management of the Eden SuperBowl.