23rd April, Bangkok: Tour debutant, Sam Cooley of Australia and 2010 ABF Tour Tournament of Champions winner, Wendy Chai of Malaysia won the third leg of the ABF Tour Thailand 2013 at S.F. Strike Bowl on Tuesday.

Sam Cooley, who had a disappointing campaign in yesterday's Thailand International Open after narrowly missing the stepladder finals in eighth position, made amends when he took his first-ever tour title.

The 21-year-old 2012 World Youth All Events gold medalist started off with a strike and two nine-pin spares in his next two frames as his opponent, Dechochai had a big split in the second frame.

Although the 21-year-old Thai responded with three strikes-in-a-row thereafter, Cooley too had four bagger from frame 4 to open up a 30 pin lead.

Another double in the ninth and tenth frames from the Aussie put the match beyond the Thai to claim the Men's crown. The champion was on fire when he beat Basel Al Anzi, 279-257 in a high-scoring semi-finals.

Dechochai ousted fellow compatriot, Surasak Manuwong 224-216 in the all-Thai first semi-final match to reach the final. Cooley also sailed past another Thai, Annop Arromsaranon, 234-213 in Round 2 and another Kuwaiti, Khalid Al Dubyyan 243-206 in the first round.

Meanwhile, 2010 ABF Tour TOC winner, Wendy Chai of Malaysia proved too good for her challenger and 2009 ABF Tour TOC winner, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia, 216-188 in the Women's final to win her fourth tour title.

Chai also easily beat another Indonesian and tour debutant, Cheya Chantika 201-180 in the first semi-finals. Limansantoso edged Shinta Noen in the all-Indonesian semi-final 172-166 to face Chai in the final.

The women's champion registered the highest game with a victory over Thailand's Natthida Sertluecha, 240-213 in Round 2 and another impressive 225-182 win over another Thai, Angkana Netrviseth in the first round.

Limansantoso reached the semi with victory over team-mate, Anak Agung Ayu, 214-175 in the second round and breezed through Round 1 with 215-135 win against Tanaprang Sathean of Thailand.

The next ABF Tour stop will be in Cairo, Egypt for the men's division only on May 1 following the 15th Sinai International Open.

Bowlers will earn ranking points from each of the legs they contest and the top 16 men and top 16 women at the end of the final leg, will qualify for the Tournament of Champions.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.