First phase comes to a close

The annual Intermediate Championship got underway recently at the Eden Super Bowl, where U-23 bowlers are vying for the national title.

The coaching structure within the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association is proving to be a success as this year no fewer than 28, 16 male and 12 females, are figuring in a tournament second only to the national championship.

In the past two weeks, intermediates bowled in two sessions of eight games each with the top contenders from each category going through to the finals.

In the male section, Maurizio Anastasi maintained his top place despite seeing his first week average of 207 dropping to 199 in the second. However, Anastasi is still tipped as favourite, his high game of 277 a clear warning to the rest of the challengers.

Two very consistent bowlers are Nicholas Sammut and Neil German.

Sammut, third after the first week, moved up one place and has an average of 195. German also climbed one place to third after bowling a series of 1,586 to increase his average to 191.

In the female section, the undisputed leader is Pamela Demanuele as she stayed ahead of the upcoming Lorraine Casha and Annemarie Bonello.

Stephanie Said is fourth and if she can hold back the challenge from the Carannante sisters she can make it to the finals.

Bernadette and Tiziana Carannante are joint fifth with a similar pinfall of 2,511.

Faye Formosa, Luisa Buttigieg and Stephany Duca should be complimented for accepting the challenge to bowl against such stiff opposition. This event will undoubtedly help them to gain experience for their forthcoming Junior Championships.