BOWLING – DEFENDING champions and leaders Riffa claimed an all-important 8-0 (2,522-1,816) victory over Isa Town in the 12th week of action of the 2026 Bahrain Bowling League, currently being played at Funland Centre.
Riffa were dominant in their match-up against their bottom-placed opponents, winning all three games by comfortable margins en route to the big overall result.
They took game one 776-604 then powered to an 860-640 triumph in the second. Riffa then completed their sweep with a resounding 886-572 performance in the third and final game.
Riffa’s trio of Ahmed Alkhaja, Fawaz Abdulla, and JM Villanueva all had scintillating efforts of over-600 totals. Alkhaja paced their team with the week’s high series of 667, while Abdulla added 661 and Villanueva had 622. Ahmed Algoud chipped in with a strong 572 individual score in their win.
Abdulla Almurbati led Isa Town with a 479 total in the loss while Shaker Darraj scored 473.
With the result, Riffa extended their gap atop the table to six points from the rest of the field as they improved to 84. Isa Town stayed in eighth and last with just 18 markers.
Meanwhile, current second-placers Um Al Hassam enjoyed a 6-2 (2,019-1,927) decision over Al Hala.
Um Al Hassam won games one and three with scores of 633-578 and 732-665, with Hala narrowly taking the second game 684-654. Um Al Hassam did enough to secure the bonus two points on totals.
Ahmed Alansari was their top performer with a 569 series, while Rashed Aldalhan took down 539 pins. Waleed Darraj and Abdulla Bahar had valiant efforts for Hala in the loss with 517 and 513 totals, respectively.
Um Al Hassam rose to 78 points on the standings while Hala went to 38 in fourth place.
Bahrain Club stayed within striking distance of Um Al Hassam with an 8-0 (2,397-1,973) over Sanad.
Bahrain Club took all three games in their series 740-635, 716-681, and 941-657, spearheaded by the 648 total of Aqeel Alawadhi. Abdulla Abdulkarim chipped in with a 618 score, while Khaled Sameer added 589 pins and Ahmed Fareed 542.
Mustafa Hasan was Sanad’s best performer with a 556 total, while teammate Mohammed Juma contributed 525.
Bahrain Club climbed to 76 points whereas Sanad remained on 32.
In week 12’s final match-up, Al Ettifaq were 6-2 (2,022-1,897) victors against Busaiteen.
Ettifaq claimed the first game 701-595 but then Busaiteen drew level with a 674-692 triumph in the second. But Ettifaq recovered to take game three 729-628 and also come away with the additional two points on totals.
Hussain Abdulkarim had a 533 series to lead Ettifaq while Mohammed Aldoseari added 521 and Mohammed Khalil 506. Francis Medios top scored for Busaiteen with a 557 total while Abdulrahman Alali contributed 521 pins.
Ettifaq further separated themselves from last place after rising to 24 points, while Busaiteen stayed fifth on 34.
Only two matchweeks remain in this season’s league as the intensity is expected to reach fever pitch. Action continues on Sunday next week from 6.30pm at the same venue, to be headlined by a crucial clash between Um Al Hassam and Bahrain Club, both of whom are jostling for position on the table. Also on the cards are Riffa against Busaiteen, Hala against Sanad, and Ettifaq against Isa Town.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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