The 2010 MTBA National Championships concluded recently at the Eden SuperBowl in St Julian’s. Malta’s top bowlers competed in separate male and female categories for the most prestigious honour on the local scene.
After three sessions and a total of 24 games, Neil Sullivan and Sue Abela were crowned champions in their respective divisions.
Eight games were played in each of the three sessions on a ‘scratch’ basis, with positions decided according to the simple 24-game total. Diverse lane oil patterns were used during the event, varying from ‘short’ oil on day one, ‘long’ oil on day two, and a ‘dual’ long/short combination on the third and final day.
This system tests bowlers’ abilities on the lanes, ensuring that top positions go to truly deserving bowlers, those who are able to adapt to the varying conditions and maintain a winning game average.
Abela was bidding to retain her 2009 crown and win the 14th championship title of her illustrious career. She topped the ladies’ standings from the opening game, and that’s where she stayed, her 1,473 tally putting her 125 ahead of Tiziana Carannante in second, and 143 above third-placed Melissa Swift.
The men’s event saw a changing of the guard with the ever enthusiastic Sullivan claiming his first and long-awaited championship title. He was trailing in fourth place on 1,566 pins after day one, with Paul Baldacchino topping the table with a great 1,680 tally from eight, chased by defending champion Kenneth Arpa (1,643) and Ray Falzon Reale (1,600).
Day two was the clincher for Sullivan who found the long oil very much to his liking, bowling no less than seven 200+ games.
A 1,784 session was the result, which catapulted him to top spot on 3,350 pins (209.3 ave) ahead of Arpa in second, 40 pins down on 3,310, and Baldacchino on 3,210 in third place.
A successful title defence was still on the cards for Arpa as the final session rolled off. But Sullivan began to pull away from him as the games progressed with highs of 224, 215 and 234, the latter coming in game 22 which effectively put paid to Arpa’s fading chances.
Sullivan secured victory with a final 4,918 total (204.9 ave), with Arpa second on 4,820, and Baldacchino third on 4,771.
The two national champions will now represent Malta in the European Champions Cup, to be held in Ankara, Turkey between October 25 and 31.
Their participation is being made possible thanks to the backing of the MOC, the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport, the Ministry responsible for sport, and also the Eden SuperBowl which provides the required training facilities for Malta’s bowlers in preparation for the ECC.