Session 2 report: Barnes praises newcomer Matt

TEENAGER Matt Chamberlain continued his impressive debut at the 2009 PartyPoker.com World Tenpin Masters by taking a point off bowling legend Chris Barnes.

Chamberlain, 19, nearly grabbed a memorable victory at the Barnsley Metrodome before a string of strikes late on saw Barnes, the current PBA Bowler of the Year, snatch a draw.

However, Barnes was hugely impressed with Chamberlain and believed he could go a long way in the sport.

"To be honest, before I came here I didn't expect that much from Matt as I'd not really come across him before," said Barnes.

"But he's 19, has tonnes of game, seems really cool and well level-headed and leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at his age.

"I've only seen him bowl a couple of games but he has the raw skills to be very, very good. What he learns from this experience of being here will show if he becomes a good player or a great player.

"My back was against the wall and I knew I had to win my last three games to have any hope. I thought once I put more pressure on him he might go away but he didn't do that but my experience of being in those situations served me really well.

"It allowed me to win a match in this thing. I've averaged 250 and got one game win but that's what makes it such a world class event. The satisfying ones are the ones that don't come easily.

"Wu (Sui Hong, who Barnes meets tomorrow) is bowling great and hit 250 in both matches so I'm going to have to have something bigger than that in one or both games.

"But I'm playing well, getting better and getting closer to figuring out what's going on so I have high expectations."

Chamberlain still has a chance of reaching the final four after two impressive performances in front of the television cameras.

"I played really well, so did Chris but I struggled a little bit with the carry in between the first and second but apart from that I'm averaging 260 so can't be too critical," said Chamberlain.

"It's surreal to play Chris and then to take a point off of him. But it's a great feeling and a great confidence boost. I play more in England than overseas and this will give me a lot more confidence for future.

"I came here expecting to win and I've not come here to make the numbers up. I came here with one intention and that's been to win.

"If things had gone differently I could've had four points. Four points will secure me a semi-final place while three points will be borderline so it's all to play for tomorrow."

Chamberlain could become the second Englishman in the semi-finals after Dominic Barrett became the first, and so far only bowler to reach the final four.

A 2-0 triumph over Paeng Nepomuceno saw Barrett end the first day as the only player with a 100 per cent record.

"I'm really happy to be in the semi-finals but I will try and learn a bit more about the lane," said Barrett.

"Just because you're first seed or first through doesn't mean you have an advantage or the others are worse bowlers. It's like it's a new tournament when you get to the semi-finals but I'm pleased to be there and I will sleep easier tonight as I'm there.

"I'm very satisfied and I never thought I would be through as soon as possible. It was a dream start to this match, a bit different to my last match. Towards the end of the first game I was lucky he had a bad game so it gave me to time to fish about for the right line. I feel I'm bowling as good as ever and I'm making good decisions."

Defending champion Guy Caminsky kept his tournament hopes alive with a vital 2-0 success over Osku Palermaa.

"It's just an honour to be here and I had to dig deep," said Caminsky, who had slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Barrett earlier in the day.

"The World Tenpin Masters is a great bowling competition and you have to do the title justice. But earlier I felt like I'd let myself, the tournament and the people that had come to watch down.

"If I hadn't got a 2-0 then my tournament was over so after the first game I knew I had a lot to do. It was just one of those days for Osku and he just had a bad time but I promise he will be back tomorrow.

"My chances of reaching the semi-finals have gone from five per cent to 50 per cent but I still need results to go my way. But the bottom line is I still have a chance and in this format you can never rule anyone out. Maybe I was nervous defending my title but it feels good to be back."

The other match ended 1-1 between Jason Belmonte and Wu Siu Hong with all four players in Group 2 still having a chance to progress.

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