Former Geraldton bowls star Lee Poletti adds to Hall of Fame career with fourth State pairs win

A WA bowling legend and former Geraldton star has claimed a remarkable achievement.

Lee Poletti, now living in the city, teamed up with Mosman Park clubmate Denise Kelly to claim a remarkable fourth title at the State pairs that finished on Friday.

The pair won a final-end classic over Mosman Park clubmate Shelley Radcliffe and Kojonup’s Paula Reid, winning the nailbiting encounter by a solitary shot, 15-14.

The win adds to Poletti’s portfolio as she continues to build on a Hall of Fame career. It is Kelly’s first State pairs title.

Poletti has a great history on the green.

The victory follows on from a win for Poletti at the 2020 State mixed pairs titles with her brother, Kim Cross from Wonthella Bowling Club.

Poletti also has multiple wins with metropolitan player Vickie Spragg, who is her sister.

She won a silver medal playing for Australia in the women’s fours at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1998.

She has also won two gold medals at the Asia Pacific Games, in the triples and fours.

In 2016, she was inducted into the WA Hall of Fame.

She played for WA until 2013 and won 12 State titles: six fours titles, four pairs titles and honours in both singles and triples play.

She continues to play at State level and is currently in the over-60s side.

The bowls talent is not confined to one generation of the family.

Poletti’s father, Clive Cross, also played for the State in the late 1980s.

He created Geraldton Bowling Club history during that period, when he and wife Shirley won singles titles during the same season, a feat that is yet to be repeated in the club’s history.