18th July, Hong Kong: Indonesia national team member, Tannya Roumimper and Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon won their first-ever tour title when they triumphed in the Women's and Men's finals of the ABF Tour Hong Kong 2011 on Monday.

Four Indonesian women had dominated the preceeding Hong Kong International Open Round 1 finals on Saturday but none made the stepladder finals after the second round on Sunday. Tannya's victory and Sharon finishing second more than made up for their disappointment.

Tannya immediately settled down to a four-bagger as her team-mate struggled to string together any strikes at all. By the halfway point, Tannya was able to open up a comfortable gap of 33 pins.

Just when it appeared that Tannya would cruise to an easy victory, a split in ninth frame gave a slim chance to Sharon for mounting a last gasp challenge after stringing together three strikes in-a-row from frame 8.

Another two more strikes from Sharon could have turned the tie around but a seven pin and spare in the bonus frame only gave her a score of 210 as Tannya ended the match with 224 to take victory.

"Even though I had to beat my team-mate and best friend, Sharon but on the lanes we are rivals," said the 20-year-old Tannya, who had made four semi-final appearances in the tour but failed to land a victory.

"I'm so happy that I've finally won a tour title, which has eluded me for so many years. This victory also made up for the disappointment in the Hong Kong Open after none of us made the stepladder finals."

The champion reached the finals after ousting Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh, 193-181 in the second semi. Sharon struck out from frame 8 to edged another Malaysian, Tang Joh Six 207-204 to face her team-mate in the finals.

Meanwhile, Annop Arromsaranon, who bowls for his new sponsor, Thai Singha easily defeated local favourite, Wu Siu Hong to win his first tour title after taking part since it's inception in 2004.

Both started the title match cautiously with nothing separating Annop and Wu until the Thai started a strike fest from frame 5, reeling in six consecutive strikes. Wu also had a double from frame 6 and looked good to mount his challenge.

But a split in the eighth frame settled the tie with Annop crusing to an easy victory. The champion had trashed debutant, Tony Tang 257-179 in the second semi while Wu prevented an all-Thai final by beating Phiriyahbhoon P., 218-193 in the first semi.

Annop also took out two Hong Kong national bowlers, Joshua Chow 234-187 in Round 2 and Lau Kwun Lau 190-160 in Round 1.

"It has been six years since my last title and I've forgotten how victory feels like," joked the 26-year-old Annop after his victory. "Maybe once I get back to winning ways, more may come."

Wu Siu Hong's second place finish has move the Hong Kong national bowler to the top of the men's rankings with 153 points. UAE leg champion, Khaled Al Dubyyan of Kuwait is second with 124 points while Kuwait leg first runner-up and Macau China Open champion, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand is third with 110.5 points.

Despite not having a tour victory this year, Hong Kong's Chan Shuk Han led the women's ranking with 96 points followed by Chan Weng Sam of Macau in second and Macau leg champion, Julia Lam third with 79 and 75 points respectively.

The final leg of this year's tour will be held on July 27, a day after the 9th Indonesia International Open finals on July 25 and 26. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: info@abftour.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.