Denison Bowling Club quartet claim Emu Point Sporting Club's lucrative fourth Raine & Horne Invitational

Distance was no bounds for a quartet out of Port Denison who conquered all at the fourth edition of the Raine & Horne Invitational on Easter Saturday at Emu Point Sporting Club. Some of the best bowlers from across the State made the journey to Albany at the weekend but it was a team from Port Denison, more than 700km away, who came away victors and pocketed a cool $6000. The Denison Bowling Club team of Ian Carlshausen, Annie Carlshausen and Michelle Leeson, skippered by Peter Leeson, were the superior side through three rounds of 12 ends and one continuous split pairs round. They finished with 13 wins and 19 shots up, outlasting a spirited Manning Bowls club quartet of Nathan Jones, Tom Mitchell, Miles Kemp and Tom Williams, who had 12 wins and 15 shots up. The Lee Such-skippered Victoria Park Bowling Club were the final team on the podium in third place with (12 wins, 13 shots up and 132.5 per cent) while Wagin star Warren Holt’s side (12 wins, 13 shots up and 131.3 per cent) rounded out the top four. A capacity field of 28 teams, featuring some of the State’s leading players - including Upper and Lower Great Southern, premier league talent and State players - made their way to the Emu Point greens for the growing competition. Players enjoyed a quiet friendly pairs event on Good Friday hosted by Havana Villas which served as curtain raiser for the main fours competition. Organiser Todd Jefferis said the event, made possible by their loyal sponsors, was hugely successful and contested in high spirits across the greens. “It was a cracking event and went off without a hitch and everyone had a great time,” he said. “The draw was very tough because there were high-class bowlers everywhere and State bowlers, so it was a really tough draw. “Was really good to see a team from Port Denison win because it shows just how far people travel to come here and it’s the first time we’ve had a team with ladies win, which is great to see. “We couldn’t have done the event without our sponsors who have been extremely supportive of this competition.”