6th May, Riyadh: Thailand clinched another tour title when Yannaphon Larpapharat defeated Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang in a high-scoring final, 265-244 to win the ABF Tour Saudi leg at the Universal Bowling Center on Saturday.

Yannaphon, who won the Thailand International Open last month since returning to the Thai national team, had to beat Hong Kong's Cyrus Cheung in the tightly-fought second semi-final match to reach the finals.

Both the title contenders, Yannaphon and Lalisang started off the title match with a double strike each. An opened frame in the third from the Thai did not matter as Lalisang failed to capitalise.

Yannaphon then started a strikefest reeling in four consecutive strikes from fram four onwards as his opponent matched his effort with a turkey to almost draw level. The Thai kept up his momentum to turn in another four bagger and ending the match with 265.

Lalisang shot a split in the eighth frame and despite sparing it and knocking down a another turkey, it was a little too late for the Indonesian, going down 244-265 to give Yannaphon his second international title this year.

"This is my first trip here to Saudi Arabia and I'm happy to pick up this victory," said the 26-year-old Yannaphon, whose first tour victory was the Thailand leg in 2006. "It's not easy to beat Ryan. He is a good bowler. He beat Hussain earlier so I thought he had a better chance."

Lalisang reached the finals after knocking out Qatar's Saeed Al-Hajri, 187-171 in the first semi-final match. The runnerup also ousted topseed and favourite, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE, 246-233 in Round 2.

Yannaphon beat fellow-compatriot, Surasak Manuwong, 241-215 in Round 2 before dispatching Cyrus Cheung, 217-198 in the second semi-final encounter to reach the finals. Hussain posted the highest game of the leg with 265 when he beat Sithiphol Kuanksorn of Thailand in Round 1.

On hand to present the trophy to the champion was Mr Moushari Al-Subeehe, secretary general of the Saudi Bowling Federation. The next stop will be the inaugural Macau leg on September 6.

The ABF Tour Saudi leg was telecast LIVE over Saudi TV and the highlights will be televised later on local television stations of the seven countries where the tour will be held.

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 Riyadh.