Julian Dinham Shocks the Field to Win 2025 Melbourne Tenpin Cup
By Matt Stevens
Seventeen-year-old sensation Julian Dinham has continued his remarkable 2025 run, claiming his second Open Division title of the year with a dramatic come-from-behind victory at the 51st Melbourne Tenpin Cup at Oz Tenpin Epping in Victoria.
This year’s edition featured the TBA Eastern Brown pattern — a medium 41-foot oil condition that proved a true test for the field. High scores were hard to come by, and consistency was the key to surviving the weekend grind.
For the past four editions, the story has been all about the “King in the North”, Jarrod Langford, who has dominated this event since 2019. Each year, Langford has led every stage and closed the deal with authority. But 2025 promised to be different from the start.
Stage One: A New Leader Emerges
South Australia’s Scott Robertson set the early pace, producing a superb 10-game block of 2,346 (234.6 average), including a high game of 269. His consistent scoring kept him ahead of defending champion Langford (+113 pins) and an impressive Jordan Bunphim, who rounded out the top three.
This was the first time Jarrod would not finish on top of the ten game qualifying first stage since 2019. Yes, he wasn’t far behind, but still, a change in the pattern that has been so consistent was one that stood out.
The top 32 from a strong field of 94 advanced to Stage Two. Stage one provided highlights including 279 being the highest score that was bowled from both Richard Tran and Ryan Edgar. Victorian superstars Bec Whiting (11th) and Dena Buxton (=26th) were the two females who qualified strongly to advance to the second stage showcasing the events depth.
Stage Two: The King Strikes Back
On Sunday morning, five more games determined who would crack the top 10 for the final stage.
Jarrod Langford dug deep, posting five solid games all above 200 to edge ahead of Robertson by just 19 pins heading into match play. Meanwhile, young Julian Dinham made his move — starting Stage Two in 7th and climbing to 3rd by maintaining a flawless string of 200+ games.
Stage Three: A Thrilling Match Play Finale
The 9-game round robin, with 20 bonus pins per win, delivered a gripping finish worthy of the Melbourne Cup’s storied history.
Scott Robertson struck first, reclaiming the lead with early wins but faltered mid-round with three straight losses (190, 181, 156).
Jarrod Langford looked on track for a fifth consecutive crown after winning six straight matches and holding a commanding 133-pin lead with just two games left.
But it was the unshakable Julian Dinham who turned the tournament on its head.
Langford stumbled with a costly 157 in Game 8 while Julian rolled a clutch 220 win (+20 bonus), slashing the deficit to just 50 pins. In the final game, Julian showed maturity beyond his years — firing a stunning 256 win (+20) to seize the title as Langford closed with a 194, unable to stop the rising star.
A Star Is Born
Julian’s final tally: 5,495 total (including 120 bonus pins, six match wins).
This marks his second Open Division win for 2025 — adding the Melbourne Tenpin Cup to his Australian Tenpin Bowling Open triumph, plus runner-up finishes at Kegel Queensland Open and QLD Junior Cup, and a third at Wyncity Youth Cup. Not bad for someone who just turned seventeen in May!
Langford, ever the champion, finished a strong second despite the late stumble — a testament to his elite consistency over a prolonged time. North Queensland’s Luke Doyle hung there abouts throughout the tournament, and powered home in the final games to overtake Robertson for third, finishing on 5,212, a total of 283 pins behind Dinham helping illustrate the top two dominance.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to Julian Dinham on another outstanding milestone in what is fast becoming a breakout year — and kudos to every bowler who competed in this year’s Melbourne Tenpin Cup.
That’s three Open Division events down, two to go for 2025 — next up: the NSW Open and the TBA Australian Masters, with entry details to be announced soon.
Winners Journey
Julian Dinham – NSW – Bowlarama Wetherill Park
Stage 1
| 190 |
| 231 |
| 224 |
| 210 |
| 202 |
| 235 |
| 190 |
| 230 |
| 172 |
| 259 |
| 2143 TOTAL |
- At the end of stage 1, Julian Dinham sat in 7th place, 203 pins behind leader Scott Robertson.
- 214.3 average
- His highest game was his final 10th game of the block – 259
Stage 2
| 266 |
| 259 |
| 211 |
| 243 |
| 209 |
| 1188 TOTAL |
- At the end of stage 2, Julian climbed to 3rd spot after averaging 237.4 in the five game stage.
- Kicked off the block surpassing day ones highest score by bowling 266
Stage 3 – Matchplay Finals
+20 pins for a win
| 183 |
| 228 +20 |
| 236 +20 |
| 228 +20 |
| 235 |
| 193 |
| 265 +20 |
| 220 +20 |
| 256 +20 |
- Pins – 5,375 over 24 games
- Bonus +120 = 5,495 total for first place
- Won six of nine matchplay final games
- Tournament average of 224
PERSONAL HIGH GAME
Julian Dinham – 266
The top 10
1️⃣ Julian Dinham (NSW) 5,495
2️⃣ Jarrod Langford (QLD) 5,463
3️⃣ Luke Doyle (QLD) 5,212
4️⃣ Scott Robertson (SA) 5,183
5️⃣ Jordan Dinham (NSW) 5,158
6️⃣ Adam Hayes (VIC) 5,102
7️⃣ Chris Castle (VIC) 5,073
8️⃣ Ben Allison (TAS) 5,059
9️⃣ Craig Blachut (WA) 5,037
🔟 Jordan Bunphim (VIC) 4,991
TOURNAMENT HIGH GAME
286 – Trent McDougall (VIC)
MELBOURNE TENPIN CUP
CHAMPIONS LIST
| Year | Winner |
| 1973 | Steve Mackie |
| 1974 | Terry Wenban |
| 1975 | Steve Mackie |
| 1976 | Vic Bubniw |
| 1977 | Paul Madden |
| 1978 | Joe Velo |
| 1979 | John Sullivan |
| 1980 | Len Hogg |
| 1981 | Ron Powell |
| 1982 | Brian Bridges |
| 1983 | Dave Davis (USA) |
| 1984 | Gary Kee |
| 1985 | Tom Kury |
| 1986 | Steve Lovell |
| 1987 | Ian Bradford |
| 1988 | Donna Adamek (USA) |
| 1989 | Fred Alsopp |
| 1990 | Peter Selakovic |
| 1991 | Billy Gardiner |
| 1992 | Ian Bradford |
| 1993 | Chris Batson |
| 1994 | Andrew Frawley |
| 1995 | Mike Muir |
| 1996 | Brenton Manning |
| 1997 | Alex Liew (MAL) |
| 1998 | Craig Bourke |
| 1999 | Frank Ryan |
| 2000 | Bill Gardiner |
| 2001 | Mike Muir |
| 2002 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2003 | Carl Bottomley |
| 2004 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2005 | Andrew McArthur |
| 2006 | Brandon Qualischefski |
| 2007 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2008 | Matt Riley |
| 2009 | George Frilingos |
| 2010 | Carl Bottomley |
| 2011 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2012 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2013 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2014 | Robbie Alston |
| 2015 | George Frilingos |
| 2016 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2017 | George Frilingos |
| 2018 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2019 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) |
| 2021 | Cancelled (COVID-19) |
| 2022 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2023 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2024 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2025 | Julian Dinham |
