Sisters Michelle Leeson, Anne Carlshausen and Faye Capewell finish third in State triples bowls title

The Denison Bowling Club’s Michelle Leeson and Anne Carlshausen joined forces with sister Faye Capewell from the Safety Bay club in last week’s memorable 2022 State triples championships.

The sisters-sister in-law combination performed to the highest standard, finishing the State series in equal third placing.

Leeson said she was delighted with the family performance, saying it was an unbelievable experience made more memorable playing with her sisters in-law.

Capewell has only been playing socially for about 18 months, with work meaning she can not play pennants nor championships.

In the quarterfinal the country side were up against arguably the State’s best triples combination of Kristina Kristic — WA’s No.1-ranked player, a multiple State representative and title holder — and fellow current State players Hailey Packer and Robyn O’Brien. The encounter was the stand-out of the 2022 campaign with the country girls winning 17/11 in the headline encounter.

The victory set up a semifinal appearance against another quality combination of Kaye Blackwell, Rhonda Prosser and Kerry Andersen. Blackwell’s team went on to win the match comfortably, with the feeling that the significant quarterfinal victory had taken the edge off the country girls’ bid for inaugural State honours.

The final was a nailbiter with Blackwell, Prosser and Andersen gaining the State title 13/12 against Lisa Featherby, Laura Merv and Linda Warburton, a fitting completion for the two in-form combinations.

The quarterfinal stage involved another sister act with former Geraldton great Lee Poletti and sister Vicki Spragg playing alongside Noelene Abe. Their campaign ended with defeat against Poletti’s Mosman Park club mates Jaewyn Norton, Cathie Smith and Catherine Chappelle.

In the State triples for the men, Shane-Giudice-Nairn and Michael Walton travelled to play with former State representative Kyle McIlroy, with the trio looking to improve on their 2021 quarterfinal appearance.

After starting with a solid eight-shot victory against Joe Marevic from Cockburn, the trio lost their second encounter 9/8 to South Perth’s Gregory Reagan. The final sectional match had all four sides on one win each. The locals’ match against Don Dixon, John Hobbs and Terry Prendergarst from North Perth resulted in a seven-shot loss and elimination.

The State titles in recent seasons has had several Mid West sides competing. This year has again produced positive results from country stars competing on the big stage. The 2022/23 season will again offer fresh opportunities, with hopefully more sides travelling in the quest for victory.

The over-60s State mixed pairs of 2022 attracted a quality 62 nominations, with the Mid West’s defending title holders, sister-and-brother combination Lee Poletti (Mosman Park) and Kim Cross (Wonthella), finishing equal third after another quality campaign.

The title was won by the Binningup duo of Fred and Judy Flanagan over Geoff and Sue Hinge (Warwick). Equal third alongside Poletti and Cross were Bruce Eagles and Lee Bunney from the Sorrento Bowling Club.