New winners in the men’s and women’s category have been crowned in the Scaff and Scaff National Open Pairs at the Suva Bowling Club yesterday.

Fiji reps Sai Walker and Elizabeth Moceiwai thrashed Rota Vakaloloma and Losalini 30-7 in the finals while Samuela Tui and Waisea Senibici beat Vilisoni Vakatalai and Sai Tokalau 21-10 in the men’s category.

This is the first time the men’s grade has been included in the National Open Pairs.

Winner for the men’s grade, Samuela Tui said the competition was tougher than they thought but they were happy to be the first male winners of the tournament.

“It was a really great tournament and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the competitiveness that it brought,” Tui said.

“There were some great plays and exciting games but my partner (Waisea Senibici) and I had rough start in the finals.

“We were trailing 15-13 on the 12th end but we fought hard to come back and draw 17-17 in the semifinals and had to go an extra end where we just managed to win 18-17 to make the finals.

“That was a really exciting game and a great start to the build of the men’s inclusion in the National Open Pairs.”

Tui and Senibici beat Abdul Kalim and Som Padiyachi 18-17 in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, this is the first Open Pairs win for Sai Walker who said she welcomed the challenge that the tournament brought.

“It was a tough competition but I really had fun and I am so happy to have won this tournament for the first time,” Walker said.

“The weather was not that great but we managed to still pull a win in our games and I just want to thank my partner Elizabeth Moceiwai and also the sponsors for making this tournament a success.”

Feeback: justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj