21st April, Kuching: Singapore's first pair of Jomond Chia-Brandon Ong and host Malaysia's first pair of Nur Syazwani Sahar-Gilliam Lim topped the Boy's and Girl's Doubles opening squad of the 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships on Sunday.

Kyle Annettes and Singles silver medallist, William Clark of Australia got off to a brilliant start with 473 to lead Philippines' Kayle Abad and Patrick Nuqui by 29 pins as Chia and Ong registered a decent 405 in th?eir opening game.

The Singapore pair added a scintillating 515 to take over the running as the Aussies stumbled to a lowly 335 allowing Malaysia's first pair of Nevern Marcellinus and Muhammad Hafiz to move up to second and the Filipino pair slipping down to third.

Chia and Ong continued a fast pace to add yet another strong game of 505 in the third to extend their lead from 69 to 155 pins over Malaysia, still in second. Philippines remained in third as Korea's Moon Hayeong and Park Sanghyeok making their bid.

With consistent 459 and 466 in their next two games, the Singapore duo stretched their lead to a whopping 257 with Malaysia and Philippines in a distant second and third. Although the leader eased off with 390 in their final game, Singapore 1 topped the squad with 2740.

Chia shot 1291 while Ong posted the highest six-games total of 1449 to help the pair finish in pole position. Malaysia and Philippines finished for second and third position with 2526 and 2432 respectively.

Meanwhile, host nation Malaysia performed as expected in the second event opf the championships after a dismal opening day, drawing blank in the Singles event. Nur Syazwani Sahar and 18th Asian School Championships two gold medallist, Gillian Lim shot 1267 and 1246 respectively for a total of 2513 to top the squad.

The Malaysian pair started off with a superb 436 to lead Macau's Wong Son Ian and Singles gold medallist, Cheang Lok In by 75 pins. The first pairs of Korea and Singapore managed only 354 and 334 in their opening game.

Nur Syazwani and Lim was on a roll adding 442 and 472 in the second and third games to build up a commanding lead of 203 pins at the halfway mark. The first Australian pair took over second spot after the second game but soon handed it to Singapore's first pair of Charmaine Chang amd Amabel Chua.

Despite posting 384, 390 and 389 in the second half of the block, Malaysia ended the squad atop the field of nine pairs. Singapore settled for second but reduced the gap to 159 pins with 2354. Korea's Kim Hyeonji and Oh Ahhyeon finished third with 2231.

Australia and Macau completed the top five with 2212 and 2122 respectively. The second Doubles squad will take to the lanes after maintenance. The top three pairs with the highest pinfalls from the combined scores from two squads will be awarded the medals in a ceremony immediately after.

Competition will shift to the Team of Four event to be contested over two blocks of three games each on April 22 and 23.