19th April, Bangkok: Thailand celebrated a grand double when Apiwich Watanaphongsakorn and Angkana Netvriseth captured their first-ever Men's and Women's titles of the ABF Tour Thailand leg at S.F. Strike Bowl on Monday evening.

Both title contenders, Hussain Al-Suwaidi and tour rookie, Apiwich Watanaphongsakorn started their title match cautiously but when Hussain missed pin 10 in the second frame, Apiwich gained confidence to knock down a double to open up a slight lead.

The Emirati doubled up in the seventh and eighth frames to narrow the gap to just one pin but the Thai national recruit brought home a turkey from frame nine and eight pin to end the match with 225.

Hussian needed to strike out from frame nine onwards in order to have any chance to snatching the match away from Apiwich but managed only the ninth and tenth frame to go down with 215. Apiwich had earlier edged team-mate, Dechochai Tinjiratip in the all-Thai semi, 227-210 to advance to the finals.

The champion also eliminated two national team-mates, No. 3 seed, Somjed Kusonpithak, 213-199 in the first round and Surasak Manuwong, 199-143 in the second round. Hussain, who shot the highest game of 268 when he beat Yannaphon Larpapharat in Round 1, also took out Sithiphol Kunaksorn, 213-195 in Round 2.

Apiwich's victory gave Thailand an historical double after Angkana Netvriseth had earlier edged Korngunya Aree in the all-Thai women's title match, 199-188 to win the women's crown. Korngunya had appeared to be in total control when she down a turkey from frames 2 to 4 while Angkana had an opened frame in the fifth.

But Angkana shot a turkey from frame 8 to end the match with 199 as her opponent had two opened frames and failed to recover from it going down with 188. Angkana ousted the only non-Thai semifinalist, Kim Eun Jung of Korea, 202-191 to book her spot in the finals.

Korngunya sailed through to the semi by eliminating Saowapha Kunaksorn in the other all-Thai semi, 226-174 to advance to the finals.

"With two Thai women in the finals, we were assured of the women's title and I was already happy when Apiwich made the finals," said the delighted Thai head coach, Kim Eu Young. "To win both the titles is simply fantastic."

"Apiwich was just recruited into the national team and he has certainly showed great potential. He showed a lot of courage too. Angkana has laid off bowling quite a while to concentrate on her studies. She only started to train hard just before this tournament and I'm happy with what she has achieved."

Ms Vivien Lau, Honorary Life President of Asian Bowling Federation and Chairman of the ABF Tour Committee, presented the trophies to the winners. The next leg will be held in Cairo, Egypt on April 30 which will be their inaugural hosting of the tour.

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 Bangkok.