Denison takes centre stage as bowls carnival season starts in Mid West

Denison Bowling Club took centre stage in the Mid West with the running of the annual May Carnival fours lawn bowls.

Visitors from far and wide journeyed to the port-side venue to compete in men’s and ladies’ tournaments.

Despite occasional inclement conditions, the tournament’s 12 rounds were able to go ahead, with the husband-and-wife duo of Michelle and Peter Leeson creating history by skippering winning teams, and Anne and Ian Carlshausen playing in the podium combinations.

The popular carnival attracted players from Mt Barker, Safety Bay, Bunbury, Emu Point and Hopetoun, along with metropolitan sides including Warwick, Doubleview, Willetton, Thornlie, Yokine, Osborne Park, Yunderup and Mt Lawley, ensuring a fantastic atmosphere and showing the event maintains a strong following throughout the State.

The weekend’s organisers ran the event to the bell.

The Denison side of Peter Leeson, Don Leeson, Barry Sweetman and Ian Carlshausen reigned supreme in the men’s section, with the quartet winning all six games to top the listings with 18 points and 34 shots.

The North Beach team of Gary Booker, Garry Barr, Doug Sheppard and Ken Adams were undefeated and just four shots adrift in second place, the two sides sitting high on the leaders board over both days.

Thornlie were third on 15 points, with five wins, a draw and a massive 54 shots up, a loss the only hiccup for the combination in an outstanding performance.

Yunderup finished fourth with a similar return and plus 45 shots.

A strong Denison side of of Michelle Leeson, Anne Carlshausen, Faye Capewell and Lisa Downing, all hailing from Dalwallinu, dominated the weekend in the ladies’ tournament.

The foursome were the only side to go undefeated and finished one point and 17 shots clear of the field. The composite foursome of Linda Davis, Collette Smith, Karen Mears and Lorraine Crowden were a clear second, with a return of five wins and 37 shots.

Denison is renowned Statewide for its tournaments and the small club didn’t disappoint, catering magnificently for the touring bowling community, with the surface running superbly.

Most of the visiting payers now travel to Geraldton for this weekend’s Wonthella Bowling Club any combination fours-pairs-fours event.

That is followed by the Geraldton Club’s 75th annual June Men’s Carnival.

Judging by the form on show last weekend, both will offer a very high standard of bowls competition.