22nd April, Kuching: Host nation, Malaysia and Korea led the first block of the Girl's and Boy's Team of Four event on the third day of the 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships on at Megalanes Sarawak.

Singapore's Charmaine Chang, Amabel Chua, Jermaine Seah and Charlene Lim got off the first block with a superb 807 to lead Chinese Taipei's Chi Yun-Fan, Wu Jie-Yu, Tseng Szu-Ching and Wang Hsiang-Yu by 33 pins.

Korea's Kim Hyeonji, Shin Hyebin, Oh Ahhyeon and Jeong Yeri knocked down 774 for third while Doubles gold medallist, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Gillian Lim, who teamed up with the twin sisters of Nurul Ayunni and Nurul Alyssa, managed 758 for fourth position.

But the Malaysian quartet picked up their pace with a superb 853 to take over the running from Singapore, who managed only 711 to slip to second. Korea stumbled to a disastrous 666 in their second game to drop down to seventh and Chinese Taipei slipped behind Singapore.

Malaysia ended the first block by scorching the lanes with a stunning 907 for a total of 2518 and a commanding lead of 247 pins ahead of Singapore, who finished second with 2275. Korea bounced back with 831 in their third game to move up to third with 2271.

Meanwhile Korea's Won Jonghyeok, Park Sanghyeok, Han Seongsu and Moon Hayeong led from start to finish reeling in 856, 809 and 825 to lead the first block with 2490. Malaysia's Shahrukh Amin. Nevern Marcellinus, Muhammad Syazirol and Muhammad Hafiz trailed the Koreans all the way to finish second with 2432.

Doubles gold medallist, Brandon Ong led his team-mates, Xavier Teo, Eugene Yeo and Jomond Chia to finish third with 2417. Philippines's Kayle Obad, Kenzo Umali, Patrik Nuqui and Singles gold medallist, Merwin Tan took fourth spot with 2410.

Australia's Callum Borck, Trent Webber, Kyle Annetts and Singles silver medallist, William Clark completed the top five with 2311.

Brandon Ong continue to lead the Boy's All Events standings with another stella performance in the Team of Four first block with 680 to take his 15 games total to 3447. Merwin Tan trailed in second with 3235, 112 pins adrift. Muhammad Hafiz occupied third spot with 3232.

Gillian Lim took over the lead of the Girl's All Events standings with 3062 after a superb 712 in the Team of Four first block. Overnight leader, Jeong Yeri slipped down to second with 3008 while Amabel Chua remained in third with 2997.

The players will resume with their second block of three games over the medium oil pattern. The top 3 boys and top 3 girls team with the highest total pinfalls will be awarded the medals. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls with the highest pinfalls based onthe All Events standings will advance to the Round-Robin Masters Finals scheduled for April 24 and 25 for the final two medals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.