VI CATALONIAN OPEN - GALASA

And so, as the sun sank slowly in the west (cue Sinatra crooning .... 'and now the end is near'....) the lucky 28 players managing to get slots in the twelfth and final qualifying squad tucked their bowling balls away and either waited to see if they had made the cut. But for most it was a case of heaving those heavy bags back to the hotels.

When it came down to the nitty-gritty there were still quite a few talented players out there that were a shade short of getting into the top 42 for Sunday's second round and many finger nails were being chewed as they waited for the final list to be audited.

In the meantime, the question circulating from those propping up the bar was around how did Brian Voss from Atlanta, USA manage to choose a squad where he could get automatic qualification by topping the scores? Was he a little on the psychic side, figuring out that many contestants were local league bowlers with a liking to see their names on the player list? Maybe a few beginners? Whatever the thought, the plan worked a treat and although being in the low 30s overall, Mr Voss will be on parade on Sunday morning.

Well, with no further ado, it was a Spanish 1-2 to please the locals when the dust of competition settled, Melvin Ocando (pictured)  the star with 1456 to top Tore Torgersen's long-standing lead, but along with them into the finals came stars Jouni Helminen of Finland and young Dutchwoman Nicole Sanders, the latter taking the place as leading female, to name just a couple. Smiles a'plenty from them that made it past the cut and a consoling bevvy at the bar for those missing out.

Positions 25-42 and the six extra women will play four games at 09:00 Sunday. Those 1-24 take to the Bowling Pedralbes lanes at 12:00, also for four games. Thence, the leading 24 will progress to the next round of four games. The three leaders after that round contest the stepladder final.

Grey highlight denotes squad qualifier. Maroon the six women not in the main qualification table.

FULL QUALIFYING ROUND STANDINGS:

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For further information, contact Keith Hale: keithhale679@aol.com