Skittle stars the Wiltshire Wonders are once again the county’s only representatives in the finals of this year’s Butcombe British Skittles Championships on Saturday (September 20)
The team, who play out of Melksham Liberal Club, are also the county’s only team to date to mount the winners’ podium. They were runners-up in the men’s competition back in 2011 and will be working hard to get back the form that got them so far when they travel to Devon to take part.
‘We’re coming down for the fun but we also want to win, said team secretary John Wiltshire. ‘And we’re writing some new songs as we do every year, to keep the team on track.’
They’ll be up against 31 other teams from all over the UK. Biggest threat probably comes from Worcester’s Highwaymen who hoping to go for a historic third consecutive win.
New sponsors of the national competition are Butcombe Brewery, based at Wrington in North Somerset.
Managing director Guy Newell, congratulated the 64 teams who have now made it to the grand finals in Torquay.
‘Everyone at Butcombe Brewery congratulates the qualifiers for their skill, hard work and determination. There have been some epic battles, some shocks and surprises along the way but the team spirit has been fantastic. Skittlers are a great bunch of people and we are proud to be sponsors of this event and what promises to be an incredible finals day.
‘We also salute the teams who didn’t make it this time but hope to see them again next year.’
This year’s competition, organised by Shoot Out Club of Torquay, has attracted 150 teams, who embarked on a series of regional rounds. The final 64 will be battling it out at Torquay’s Riviera International Conference Centre on Saturday September 20.
Shoot Out Club’s Rachel Bourke predicts a close fought contest.
‘There are several skittles records at stake,’ she said. ‘We are hoping to set a world record for the largest number of skittlers in a competition
‘Plus we could see the first team ever to win four British championship titles, and the first team to win three consecutive titles. There could be a lot of skittles history in the making.’
