SQUAD 'A' - FIRST 6 OF 12 GAMES (Wednesday, 09:30):

Antonin Nosek, 59, from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, the sole representative from that delightful nation in this year's Malta Senior Open, set the pace with a 1273, including his 18 pins age bonus, over his first six-game block Wednesday morning.

A Czech businessman who just loves to bowl, Nosek is very enjoying his first visit to Malta and his first of what he hopes will be many entries into this prestigious event. "My first priority is to bowl and make the cut," he said after the squad, "then I want to get out and about and see as much of the island as I can.

"The lanes here are much drier than I am used to, so I am pleased to have achieved such a good score. It is a good and fair condition and I did not have to make many changes when I changed lanes."

Malta's own Leli Baldacchino slotted into second place, just five points off the leading score, and Sweden's Arne Ljundberg holds third with 1261.

Just six ladies competed on this opening squad and Catherine Roux of France currently holds first place with 1220.

Squad 'B' take to the lanes at 13:00 hours. Squads 'C' and 'D' will follow at 16:30 and 20:00 respectively.

SQUAD 'B' - FIRST 6 OF 12 GAMES (Wednesday, 13:00):

Antonian Nosek retains his pole position and Leli Baldaccino the runner-up position as there was no strong challenge from the bowlers in Squad 'B'.

Keith Howes from England topped the squad scores, hitting 1152 including bonus points and slots into ninth place overall.

Likewise in the ladies' division as Catherine Roux's 1220 was steadfast. Fran Deken (pictured) from the outskirts of Tulsa, Oklahoma, looked like taking over the lead but her final three games were not as good as the first block and she eventually finished in third place overall.

"I just bowled bad," she exclaimed after the squad. "I just couldn't make a good shot as I was putting far too much pressure on myself."

Although Fran has travelled extensively in Europe, this is her first visit to the idyllic island of Malta. "This is such a nice tournament, so well run, and the people here are really friendly," she remarked. Asked if she had seen anything of the island yet, she responded, "only a terrifying taxi ride from the airport, the driver missed another car by just this much," (holding up a little finger). Strange, they don't usually miss!

Now it is up to Squad 'C' to challenge the leaders. In this group is American Harry Mickelson from Washington, carrying very short odds as a favorite for the title on Sunday evening.

SQUAD 'C' - FIRST 6 OF 12 GAMES (Wednesday, 16:30):

It's life in the fast lane for Sweden's Christer Danielsson (pictured), taking this ninth Senior Malta Open by the bootstraps and setting a new high for the leader board of 1426.

The 51-year-old bowling proprietor from Stensjon, a small town some 60 km east of Jonkopping, is bowling in Malta for the first time, therefore mighty pleased at playing so well at his initial attempt.

He is no stranger to senior bowling, despite his tender years, and is currently the ranking leader on the EBPA Senior Tour.

"I only arrived in Malta yesterday, so I haven't had time to see anything of this fascinating island as yet," he told us, "but I have a free day tomorrow and I will head for a nice beach and swim in the warm sea.

"I'm really surprised at how well this tournament is run. The arrangements are very good and I know which lanes I will be bowling on right through to the end.

"I've had to lay off bowling for the past ten weeks as I had an injured finger. I've only competed in about four major events in Sweden this year and the EBPA Senior tournaments."

Christer holds a current average of 218 at home, but he's doing better than that right now, leading this event with 237.67 over his first six games. He also holds the current high game of 278.

Three-time champion and going for his third consecutive title, Torbjorn Halling from Sweden is well-placed, currently in second place, bowling a steady 218 average.

Catherine Roux of France, the only woman to exceed a 200 average, still holds pole position in the ladies' division but this squad saw Sonja Ostlund from Sweden come in with 1134 to take over second place.

SQUAD 'D' - First six of 12 games (Wednesday 20:00):

For quite a time it looked as though the 1426 posted by Christer Danielsson in Squad 'C' would be surpassed by lithe Dutchman John Bosch. The 51-year-old pro shop proprietor from Deventeer (pictured) happily compiled a 727 over his first three games and looked set to stay in the high 700s when he moved to lanes 9 & 10 for his second block. But the fickle finger of fate decreed that this was not to be the case. "I must have eaten something that didn't agree with me earlier in the day and ny stomach was really bad all day, so that sapped my strength over the last games," he explained. "But I am very happy to come into second place behind Danielsson with 1371."

Like most of the sharpshooters today, Bosch is enjoying his first visit to the Malta Senior Open and to this nice island itself. "I'm the rookie around here," he said, laughingly. "I'm enjoying myself so much, despite my sore stomach. The weather and the people are so nice."

Bosch has enjoyed a chequered bowling history over his 30 years in the sport. He bowled on the Dutch national team a couple of years ago... "but I stood down to give the youngsters a chance," he added, with a big smile. He boasts of a 1563 six-game series. "I really love the sport and enjoy running my pro shop and coaching. Even at 51 I am still learning and am exceptionally please that I have been asked to join the Legends pro staff and work with famous coaches like Fred Borden and Bill Hoffman.

"I'm lucky, too, that my wife loves to come t tournaments with me. I compete on the lanes and she goes touring. What more can I ask?"

No change in the distaff fortunes as Catherine Roux's 1220 still holds pole position. Sue Richards of Wales led this squad with 1097 and slides into eighth place.
 

Mens Qualifying Round
Squad A, B, C, D : 6 Games
P	Name	Nat	Bon	1	2	3	4	5	6		Scr	Tot	Ave
1	Christer Danielsson	SWE		223	265	278	225	213	222		1426	1426	237.6
2	John Bosch	HOL		256	225	246	225	204	215		1371	1371	228.5
3	Torbjörn Halling	SWE	8	236	218	207	249	211	192		1313	1361	218.8
4	Valter Feldhofer	SWE	11	245	191	182	182	203	205		1208	1274	201.3
5	Antonin Nosek	CZE	3	268	178	197	169	197	246		1255	1273	209.1
6	Leli Baldacchino	MLT		182	188	268	202	227	201		1268	1268	211.3
7	Arne Ljungberg	SWE	15	199	184	181	169	206	232		1171	1261	195.1
8	Arne Hybelius	SWE	13	192	227	205	159	196	201		1180	1258	196.6
9	Stig Hermansson	SWE	7	264	192	225	185	184	163		1213	1255	202.1
10	Graham Dalton	WAL	2	178	204	235	253	226	138		1234	1246	205.6
11	Torbjörn Karlsson	SWE	10	148	188	247	223	183	192		1181	1241	196.8
12	Yngve Zetterström	SWE	4	206	207	194	219	193	194		1213	1237	202.1
13	Svante Höglund	SWE	7	212	207	200	189	190	195		1193	1235	198.8
14	Geoff Gardner	ENG	4	196	142	233	171	234	233