Scotty’s Shot: Lower Great Southern Bowling League teams ready for closely contested 2025-26 season

Passionate Albany bowler Tim Scott is writing a fortnightly column for The Extra, keeping our readers up to date with the local bowls scene.

New bowls, new players, new greens.

Welcome to the 2025-26 Lower Great Southern Bowling League pennants season, with the opening rounds upon us.

The off season saw Albany’s Wayne Jones travel to Warrnambool, Victoria, for the national arm bowling championships, as a member of the WA Arm Bowling team.

After a historic and memorable victory over a strong New South Wales team the Sand Gropers finished the championships in fourth place.

Green Range now have their new green open and will be looking forward to hosting pennant games after being long term co-tenants at Albany Bowling Club for the past few seasons.

Men’s reigning first division pennant holders Middleton Beach Gold will be looking to repeat their success from last season, with the main challenges coming from the strong and experienced Emu Point Red side.

Albany Gold will be boosted with the return of Jono Davidson after a stint playing for Manning in the metropolitan premier league, while Denmark will again be a force at home.

Davidson will also be contesting the State Fours finals alongside Wagin’s Warren Holt.

Recently promoted second division pennant winners Albany Green will be looking to establish their position within the division in a season expected to be highly contested.

Walpole, Albany Brown, Mt Barker, and the recently demoted Emu Point Purple will be the leading contenders in second division as Cranbrook, Denmark and Green Range will be the teams to beat in third division.

The two Emu Point teams will be the early season favourites in ladies’ first division whilst they will receive strong competition from Mt Barker Golf, Denmark Aqua and both Green and White teams from Middleton Beach.

Albany Gold will be looking to begin the ladies’ second division in a positive fashion after being demoted from first division last season, as Middleton Beach Red, Cranbrook, Albany Green and Emu Point Blue will provide them some strong opposition.

Best of luck to all clubs, players, committees, sponsors and supporters for a successful and enjoyable bowls season.