26th November, Kuching: PBA pro and topseed, Dominc Barrett of England bagged the Open Masters title of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2022 after edging challenger and fourth-seed, Muhammad Hariz Adlan of MMBC, 217-213 in the last man standing final match.

Hariz got off to a superb start in the title match with a double strike. Barrett struck in the first frame but made a 9-pin spare in his second frame to trail the Malaysian youngster. Barrett got back on level terms after Hariz failed to spare his third frame.

Barrett struck in the third frame but found it difficult to double up his strikes. Hariz recovered with three strikes-in-a-row and when Barrett had a costly spilt in the sixth frame and failing to spare it, Hariz had built up a 24-pin lead going into the eighth frame.

The English Hall of Famer finally found the line on his weaker left lane to roll three strikes-in-a-row as Hariz could not extend his lead any further. Barrett added a fourth strike in the tenth frame and needed another in the 11th to shut out his opponent, but downed 9 pins which he spared ending with 217.

Even making the spare would make Hariz lose the match by two pins. He only took two to go down to Barrett by four pins. In the earlier semi-final match of last three man standing, third-seed Wan Muhammad Naqib of Malaysia was eliminated after he managed only 209 while Hariz had 228 and Barrett 236.

In the first match amongst the four finalists, second-seed and Malaysian National squad member, Nerven Nataneel of Sarawak was the first to bow out with 172. Hariz had 214, Naqib had 190 and Barrett scrapped though with 182.

Barrett picked up the top prize of RM20,000 (approx. US$4,460) leaving the first runner-up Hafiz with RM10,000. Naqib and Nevern took home RM5,000 and RM2,500 respectively as second and third runners-up.

In the earlier 8-games Masters finals roll-off, top qualifier Chong Jun Foo of Sarawak set the pace by leading the first two games before Hariz took over after the third game. Barrett then led from the fourth game and never looked back, ending the finals with 1860.

The Guest of Honour, YB Senator Dato Cr Ahmad Bin Dato' Sri Ibrahim, Deputy Chairman, Padawan Municipal Council, Encik Morshidi Fredrick, CEO of Sarawak Sports Corporation, Encik Lamat Anak Nyalau, Director of Sarawak Youth and Sports Department, Mr Sunny Si, President of Amatuer Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) and Haji Shaifulbahri Bin Shukri, Deputy President of ABAS, arrived Megalanes Sarawak to witness the title match.

Before the start, guests, officials and participants were entertained by St. Joseph Private School Chamber Choir kicking off the closing with a superbly-rendered National anthem followed by several popular local songs.

This was followed by Cultural Dance Performances by artists from the Deaf Association of Sarawak before wrapping up with performances by the 24th Festival Drum Troupe of No. 1 Middle School. Mr Sunny Si delivered his closing speech before YB Dato Cr Ahmad congratulated ABAS for bringing the best bowlers from as far as England, Australia, Guam and Asia and helping to promote Sarawak.

The distinguished guests were also invited to present the prizes to the various categories winners before adjourning to a victory banquet hosted by ABAS and Megalanes Sarawak.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.