Dramatic Finale at the Under 18 Tenpin Bowling Australian Junior Masters
By Matt Stevens
The AGL National High-Performance Centre on the Sunshine Coast was the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the Under 18 Tenpin Bowling Australia Junior Masters. As midday approached, Emily Hart and Lachlan Howse emerged as champions, showcasing incredible skill and determination in a field of fierce competitors.
Girl’s Division:
Emily Hart’s Consistent Excellence
From the outset of the final day, Emily Hart led the field with a significant 111-pin advantage over her closest competitor, Bella Westlake. Hart’s consistent performance was on full display as she dominated the 7-game Matchplay finals.
Winning six of her seven matches, Hart secured the championship with a total score of 4,647, extending her lead to 138 pins over Westlake, who finished with a commendable 4,509. Vanessa Hannigan, another notable performer, and member of the winning TPL Next Gen team, clinched the bronze with her passionate play throughout the championships.
This marks Emily Hart’s second Australian Junior Master title, making her only the fourth female to win multiple Australian Junior Master events, joining the esteemed ranks of Trish Weir, Jayde Flanagan, and Rebekah Commane.
A dedicated bowler from Salisbury Bowland in South Australia, Emily has kicked off the 2024 Junior season with the same vigour with which she ended the last, establishing herself as the competitor to beat this year.
Tenpin Bowling Australia congratulates Emily for her incredible achievement!
Boy’s Division:
Lachlan Howse’s Remarkable Comeback
The boy’s division was a nail-biter. The day began with Blayde Christensen holding a narrow 48-pin lead over contenders Lachlan Howse and Liam Cochrane. However, as the matches progressed, it was Lachlan Howse who made a stunning charge from third place.
Bowling scores of 268 and 270 in his fifth and sixth games, along with crucial bonus points for match wins, Howse surged to the lead. His relentless pursuit culminated in a spectacular final game of 237, securing the victory with a remarkable total of 5,060 pins, winning six out of seven matches. Liam Cochrane ended a close second with 5,027 pins, while Blayde Christensen rounded out the top three with 4,957 pins.
All three top finishers in the boys’ division deserve a round of applause for their exceptional performances and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the past few days. Their outstanding bowling has truly set a high standard for the competition.
Lachlan, a skilled league bowler from Logan City Tenpin, earned his inaugural selection to NTS18 this year at just 16 years old. His rapid development is remarkable, and it will be intriguing to watch his performance in upcoming events. The future certainly looks promising for this young talent!
Tenpin Bowling Australia wishes to congratulate Lachlan Howse on his outstanding performance and achievement.
With bonus pins adding a strategic twist, the atmosphere was tense and electrifying. A mere 159 pins separated the top eight male bowlers at the start, but as the competition unfolded, it was anyone’s game. The day was filled with dramatic shifts in the leaderboard, showcasing the competitive spirit and high skill level of all participants.
As the dust settles on this spectacular event, we applaud all the bowlers for their outstanding performances. Congratulations again to Emily Hart and Lachlan Howse, the 2024 champions of the Under 18 Tenpin Bowling Australia Junior Masters.
🏆
Female Champion
EMILY HART
SALISBURY BOWLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Qualifying: 1,443 Averaging 240.5, Leading Qualifier
| 268 | 266 | 213 |
| 214 | 277 | 205 |
Round 2: 1,610 for round 2, 3,053 total, Maintained top spot.
| 172 | 187 | 237 | 256 |
| 181 | 180 | 184 | 213 |
Matchplay Finals – Six wins from seven matches to capture the title.
| 199 | 223 | 166 | 216 |
| 223 | 200 | 187 |
| Pinfall | 4,467 |
| Bonus | 180 |
| Total | 4,647 |
| Average | 212.71 |
| High Game | 277 |
LACHLAN HOWSE
LOGAN CITY TENPIN, QUEENSLAND
Qualifying: 1,386, averaging 231 and sat in 6th place.
| 274 | 213 | 243 |
| 214 | 209 | 233 |
Round 2: 1,807 for round 2, 3.193 total – storms up to 2nd place.
| 221 | 188 | 269 | 242 |
| 192 | 212 | 268 | 215 |
Matchplay Finals: Six wins from seven matches to capture the title.
| 209 | 204 | 267 | 232 |
| 268 | 270 | 237 |
| Pinfall | 4,880 |
| Bonus | 180 |
| Total | 5,060 |
| Average | 232.38 |
| High Game | 274 |
📈
THE TOP TEN
FEMALE DIVISION
Note bottom two bowlers did not participate in the matchplay finals.
🥇Emily Hart – 4,647
🥈Bella Westlake – 4,509
🥉Vanessa Hannigan – 4,457
Jasmine Walker – 4,434
Katy Melton – 4,274
Emily Hinspeter – 4,273
Natasha Goggin – 4,195
Brianna Walsh – 4,130
Sophie Jones – 2,721
Isabelle Wallwork – 2,663
MALE DIVISION
Note bottom two bowlers did not participate in the matchplay finals.
🥇Lachlan Howse – 5,060
🥈Liam Cochrane – 5,027
🥉Blayde Christensen – 4,957
Nicholas Rajkovic – 4,786
Kohan Davis – 4,686
Jake Donnelly – 4,574
William Zaccaria – 4,534
Hayden Miller – 4,503
Jake Sayer – 3,016
Lachlan Hembrow – 3,011
HIGH GAMES
299 – Jake Donnelly (NSW)
279 – Natasha Goggin (NZ)
Scores will be updated on TenpinResults later today.
🔮
FUTURE FRAMES
The 2024 junior division is finally underway! The next stop for the season is the Junior Sydney Cup which is part of the Sydney Bowlfest that will take place from May 17-19 at iPlay Tenpin City, in New South Wales.
Entries are already fully booked!
For the 2024 National Junior Championships, the next event on the schedule is the President’s Shield event. State vs State on the lanes over three days!
