Sue Abela

Mark Spiteri is the BOV Platinum Cup winner after beating Mauro Anastasi 237-183 in the final round following a score of 229-173 in their first encounter.

Sue Abela retained the women’s title after overcoming Joanna Attard in a closely-fought final match with the score of 214-205.

The Platinum Cup saw the participation of 27 men and 13 women with the top six from each category participating in the penultimate round robin stage, having earned their place over 12 games in the initial qualifying round.

Spiteri placed third in the round robin behind Justin Caruana Scicluna in a high-rolling men’s semi-final.

Spiteri scraped through with a 257-236 victory to face the daunting task of having to beat Anastasi twice in the final to become tournament champion.

His first game was a 229 against Anastasi’s 173, so the tournament winner was decided in the very final round with Spiteri bowling a solid 237 against Anastasi’s 183 for the win.

Attard and Melissa Swift placed second and third respectively after the round robin phase of the tournament.

Attard was the one who prevailed in the extremely close semi-final, 181-178 the scoreline.

Top seed Abela awaited Attard in the final. While the lead changed hands repeatedly during the first of a possible two games, it was perennial champion Abela who kept her cool to beat Attard 214-205 and keep hold of the title she won last year at the first attempt.

John Paul Abela, BOV manager, media and community relations, presented the trophies to the winners in the presence of Paul Baldacchino, Malta Tenpin Bowling Association president.