A total of 31 local bowlers are currently competing in the 2005 qualifying event for this year’s European Gold Cup, organised by the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association at the Eden SuperBowl, St George’s Bay. The eventual winners of both the male and female category will earn the right to represent Malta in the 2005 European Gold Cup to be held in Rome during May.

After two qualifying rounds consisting of a total of 18 games, the current leaders going into the penultimate round-robin stage are Rankin Camilleri in the male category, and Vicki Camilleri for the ladies.

Male Category

Rankin Camilleri took the early lead, placing first after the first six-game round one session with a 1,153 total, just six pins ahead of nearest rival Peter Mallia on 1147, who was closely followed by Philippe Vancell in third with a 1141 tally. ‘Scratch bowler’ Camilleri finished with a flurry of three 200+ games to snatch the top spot.

The second session was even closer for Rankin, who finished round one on 2,330 pins (194.1 ave), a mere two pins ahead of Philippe Vancell who improved to second place on 2,328 pins (191 avge – three pin handicap per game). Peter Mallia’s game slipped a little on day two, scratch lows of 151 and 147 seeing him drop to third place on 2,274 pins (180.5 avge – nine pin handicap per game).

Round two saw all competitors roll another six games having retained their round one totals, with any handicaps remaining static.

Camilleri got off to a strong start, opening with a 204 before claiming his best game of the tournament so far, an excellent 256 in game two. He ended the day with a total of 1,182, taking him to a cumulative 3,512 over the two rounds, 24 pins better than Vancell on 3,488 pins. Peter Mallia held on to third place on 3,488 pins.

Female Category

The first six game session went to Stephanie Said in the 16-strong ladies competition, the youngster opening with a brace of 209 games to take her straight to the top. Said went on to clock up a 1,041 scratch total, bolstered to 1,155 by her 19 pin handicap per game. Lorraine Casha was just seven pins down on 1,148, while third place was occupied by Jennifer Oakley on 1,138 pins.

Session two saw the top two ladies trade positions, Lorraine fighting back with a gross 1,090 for the day (eight pin handicap) which gave her a 2,238 gross total to take her 19 pins ahead of Stephanie in second place on 2,219 pins. Oakley dropped to fifth place while third place was claimed by surprise entry Josette Falzon Reale on 2,209 pins.

The ladies’ second round saw yet another new leader, in the shape of Vicki Camilleri who leapt up the classification from sixth place with a 1,181 total for the day, rewarding her with first place on 3,324 pins (172.6 avge – 12 pin handicap).

Early leader Stephy Said climbed to second place on 3,298 pins (164.2 ave – 19 pin handicap), while Lorraine Casha now holds third place, just five pins down on Said with a 3,293 total (174.9 ave – eight pin handicap).

Stage three will be played next Sunday, when the top six bowlers from each category compete in a Round Robin, wherein each bowler will face all other qualifiers head-to-head, with bonus points up for grabs for individual game wins and draws.

Joining Camilleri, Vancell and Mallia in the men’s competition will be Sammy Borg, Lawrence Bonnici and Andre Grech in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively. In the ladies’ event, the top three will be accompanied by Josephine Bonello, Lily Attard and Josephine Falzon Reale.

Stepladder finals will then be played between the top three male and female qualifiers immediately after the stepladders, to decide this year’s Gold Cup champions.