Sara Xuereb... huge potential. Right: Justin Caruana Scicluna… men’s title.

Malta’s emerging bowling star Sara Xuereb, 14, engraved her name in bowling history by winning the 2016 MTBA National Championships to become the country’s youngest ever title holder.

The new men’s champion is Justin Caruana Scicluna who, together with Xuereb, will be representing Malta at the European Champions Cup in the Czech Republic later this year.

Xuereb’s amazing victory puts an end to the formidable 11-year reign of Sue Abela.

Abela has held the women’s title since 2005 but had to settle for third place this time around, uncharted territory for the former champion who has an astonishing 21 championship titles under her belt.

Xuereb was in second place on 1,553 pins after her initial eight-game session, eclipsed on the day by Cynthia Duca in first place on 1,558. Xuereb then rolled a 1,560 on day two to go top with 3,113, as Abela shot from seventh to second (3,024).

Day three saw Xuereb hold an 89-pin advantage. And she began taking more pins from her mentor, and now rival, Abela in the early games to consolidate her lead.

Abela appeared uncomfortable on the lanes while the teenager displayed a collected calmness way beyond her years.

Xuereb emerged victorious with a 1,529 series for a 4,642 final tally.

Second place was snatched from Abela by Melissa Swift (4,604) in the penultimate game, sending the outgoing champion down to third on 4,588.

First-day honours in the men’s championship went to Mauro Anastasi for his big 1,631 set, closely followed by Mark Spiteri on 1,613.

Kenneth Arpa was third on 1,596 with Caruana Scicluna snapping at his heels, just a single pin behind on 1,595.

There was a change at the top on day two which saw Caruana Scicluna bowl a great 1,676 eight-set to take him into first place.

On day three, the leader stamped his authority on the event with a 209-226-223 flurry, before a low 160, which was cancelled out by an inspired 266 later in the set. That helped him to a 1,672, for a title-winning 2,943 tally.

Anastasi managed to stave off a late but strong challenge from Spiteri (4,845) to stay second on 4,894.