Competitive play in the Mediterranean Challenge Cup VIII - 2005 commenced at the Eden SuperBowl on yesterday with the ladies singles event, followed by the men's event, while the respective Doubles events were scheduled for later in the day.
The Maltese were quick to get onto the medals table with a silver in the singles (Sue Abela), while there was further success in the doubles where Abela and Lorraine Casha secured bronze.
Ladies competition
Singles event
The 16 ladies from eight Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece, Israel, Italy, San Marino, Spain and Malta) rolled six games for total pinfall, and many hopes were pinned on Sue Abela who has an illustrious history in this international tournament. She did not disappoint the local crowd, bowling a consistent 1,181 pin set (196.8 ave) including highs of 214 and a pair of 213's. That was enough to reward Sue with a silver medal, second to Anastasia Rovithaki of Greece who played an excellent 1,273 total (212.1 ave), peaking with a huge 277 in game two, and a 235 in the fourth.
Bronze went to Niki Schiza from Cyprus (1171 pins), while Malta's Lorraine Casha can be more than satisfied with her 1,110 set (185 ave) in this her first Medicup experience, her efforts gaining her a respectable ninth place, joint with Italy's Chiara Rioati.
Doubles event
The ladies returned at noon to play another six games in the doubles event, the local enthusiasts interested to see what the first-time pairing of Abela and Casha in such an event. Team training evidently paid off as the girls clicked on the lanes to hold first place over the first two games in what was a very close contest throughout.
Again, however, Greece hit back hard with Rovithaki and Despina Chrisanthi powering into the lead and winning the session with a combined 2,310pin effort. The Italian connection between Roiati and compatriot Iolanda Carfora placed second on 2,258 - just 29 pins better than the Maltese side who settled for a very good third place on 2,229 pins.
Men's Competition
Singles Event
The men's event is typically harder than that of the ladies, but Malta's Kenneth Arpa still did his country proud in the men's singles competition, putting in a 200+ performance (total 1,211, 201.8ave) to finish fifth among some very tough competitors. Four of his six games were over 200 (214, 202, 202, 209), while his 'lows' were a pair of 192's.
The event was won by Spain's Marcial Ovide who proved to be a cut above on a massive 1,400 tally (233.3 ave), and Israel's Yahiv Gresario came in second on 1,243 (207.1 ave). Nine pins behind in third was Massimo Pirozzi on 1,234 (205.6 ave). Malta's other male athlete was Mark Spiteri who finished 12th on a fair 1,129 total (188.1 ave).
The Medicup is made possible by the invaluable support of Easy Forex, Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance and Kunsill Malti ghal-Isport.