Anthony Leslie Dennis played lacrosse for Lancashire at the age of 18. He was educated at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester, and then went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics. During his time at university, he gained representative honours for The South in the annual match against The North. One of the finest defenders in Britain after the War, he played his club lacrosse for the Old Hulmeians before moving to Truro, where he became clerk of the Cornwall County Council.