Karnataka bowlers put up a fine show on the penultimate round in short oil conditions, with Vijay Punjabi and Pratima Hegde emerging as the leaders in the men’s and women’s sections respectively on the sixth day of the 19th National Tenpin Bowling Championships at the Star City Bowling Centre here on Saturday.

The highlight of the day was the superb performance by Pratima who managed a narrow six-pinfall lead over the defending champion Sabeena of Tamil Nadu. Sabeena was leading by a good margin of 58 pinfalls after the fifth and penultimate game on day six. But Pratima came up with a splendid 224 pinfalls to that of 160 from the Chennai bowler in the sixth and final game of the day to top the standings.

Meanwhile, Girish Gaba, who was leading by 13 pinfalls on the fifth day, surrendered the lead to his State-mate Vijay by an astonishing 148 pinfalls. Girish was undone by two low scores of 162 and 168 in the first and sixth games respectively. Vijay was consistent though, scoring over 200 pinfalls in all six games. Vijay averaged 221.33 on the day, much higher than his net average of 199.55 from 36 games. He leads by an impressive 7184 pinfalls, while Girish (7036) and reigning champion Srinath Pobbathi (6918) lie second and third . Delhi’s S A Hameed is lying fifth.

Scores: Men: Vijay Punjabi (Kar) 7184, 1; Girish Gaba (Kar) 7036, 2; Srinath Pobbathi (Kar) 6918, 3; Shashi (Kar) 6863, 4; S A Hameed (Del) 6826, 5; Ajay Singh (Kar) 6805, 6.

Women: Pratima Hegde (Kar) 4422, 1; Sabeena (TN) 4416, 2; Sumathi (AP) 4387, 3; Sheela (Kar) 4172, 4; Anuradha (Del) 3987, 5; Namrata (Kar) 3924, 6.