Barnes edges best match in Masters' history

IN the best game in World Tenpin Masters history, Chris Barnes produced the highest total and Kirsten Penny was two pins away from a perfect game.

A capacity crowd at the Barnsley Metrodome witnessed an incredible quarter-final tie as Barnes registered 20 successive strikes in his 569-546 triumph.

But there was more late drama as Penny, who had already been beaten, had an opportunity to become the first female to register a perfect 300 game in this competition.

However, two pins were left standing and her total of 546 was not enough for her to advance into the semi-final.

The score of 569 from Barnes was the best in the ten-year history of the Masters, beating the previous record of 566, set by Jason Belmonte in the 2007 final.

A further record was also beaten as the collective total of 1,115 was 25 ahead of the previous best aggregate.

"It was a lot of fun," said Barnes. "It's fantastic when you're striking a lot but Kirsten bowled unbelievably.

"I was probably very fortunate and that was the only way I could've bowled to have any chance against her.

"It was a much better performance than last night (against Or Aviram).

"The crowd are very respectful to the players, both the favourites and non-favourites. I was not the crowd's favourite in that match but they are always tremendous and very animated.

"This is the fifth time I've bowled on this lane and every time the crowd has been fantastic and very appreciative of good performances."

Barnes got a spare in the opening frame but then went on an incredible run of 20 strikes.

At one stage both bowlers were on course for perfect performances in their second games. Barnes' hopes ended when he threw a spare in the tenth but Penny still had a chance to claim her piece of bowling history.

Unfortunately, it did not end as she would have hoped but both competitors were still given a standing ovation in an absolutely unforgettable match.

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