The preliminary stages in the fifth Air Malta Seniors Open Champion-ships, currently being played at the Eden SuperBowl, are over. Local player Doris Camilleri leads the ladies' event while Charles Attard is sixth after 20 games were played over three elimination rounds.

Camilleri, runner-up last year, has been in the running from the first game, setting the pace for the field of over 50 ladies, largely foreign competitors. She did particularly well in Round Three (top 18), rolling a four-game set totalling 825 to take a firm hold in the top spot.

Attard finished Round One in 20th place. He had to do better to stay in contention and in the next round, the Maltese bowler excelled with a fine 910 four-game set which shot him up all the way to sixth place. He maintained his form in Round Three, retaining his position to qualify.

Swede Sven-Olaf Gustafsson is the provisional leader. Last year's champions - Farida Pascoal Blom, of Holland, and Italian Mario Masera - both qualified in fifth place. The top eight will now proceed to the final stages today, starting with a round robin play-off and a stepladder final.

The Seniors Open is also sponsored by the Eden Leisure Group and the Dragonara Casino.