Micallef, Carannante Gold Cup champs

May saw the conclusion of the popular MTBA Gold Cup at the Eden SuperBowl where 24 bowlers competed for the title.

The qualifying round consisted of 16 games for total pinfall, including any handicap, from which the top six advanced to the round robin stage. After that the top three qualifiers played in their respective stepladder finals.

With round one over, 2006 European Gold Cup winner Philippe Vancell topped the men's competition having played to a great 207.3 game average.

He was joined in the round robin phase by Leli Baldacchino, Dean Micallef, Shawn Bugeja, Aaron Belli and Philip Gruppetta.

Vancell's previous lead helped him to retain top spot. Also through to the finals were Micallef and third-placed Baldacchino. The latter, however, was forced to retire due to injury and surrendered his position to Bugeja.

Bugeja was carrying a 16-pin handicap as he met scratch bowler Micallef in the semi-final. That was not enough to see the substitute bowler through as Micallef clinched it 191-180, earning his place in the final against Vancell.

Micallef, as the underdog, had to win twice to claim the title whereas Vancell only needed a single game. Incredibly, the first game finished in a tie, 193-all, and a 9-10 frame roll-off was called by the tournament director. That was won 26-40 by Micallef to force the second game.

That was another very close affair but Micallef maintained his composure to clinch it 202-215 for the Gold Cup title.

In the women's section, youth champion Tiziana Carannante held the advantage after 16 games over Josephine Bonello. The other four qualifiers were Pam Demanuele, Melissa Swift, Liliana Said and Jade Cosaitis.

Carannante won three of her five encounters to stay top. She was joined in the stepladder by 2009 winner Swift and Bonello.

The semi-final mirrored that of the men in that it too went to a 9-10 frame roll-off, having finished 166-166 after regular play. It was Bonello who progressed to the final with a spare-strike as Swift followed her initial strike with an eight-count.

On to the final, Carannante kept her form for just one more game, beating Bonello 192-170 to secure yet another honour.

The two new champions will be competing in Cyprus later this year thanks to the support of the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association with the backing of Emirates Airline.