Exeter skittles teams go for glory

Exeter’s top skittles teams are busily preparing for this year’s Gasket Guy British Skittles Championships after notching up the city’s best ever showing at the competition last year.

Two Tribes mixed team (pictured above) have won the British title two years running and will be going for a hat trick, never before achieved in the mixed competition’s history.  Team captain Barry Powell said the team was preparing hard for the initial rounds.

‘We are adding a few promising newcomers to the existing squad,’ he said, ‘and arranging some extra matches to get into form.’

Meanwhile the city’s Saints men’s team suddenly found their form and were runners-up to Worcester’s mighty Highwaymen, their best ever result ten years of competing.  The Saints’ fellow team mates the Sinners ladies team won the women’s title back in 2011 and will be back in the competition after a year’s absence.  Saints, Sinners and Two Tribes all play out of St Thomas Social Club.

Dave Rowe, who captains the Saints, said all the teams, are very focused on victory. 

‘We are optimistic,’ he said.  ‘Last year was a great result and I know we can do better.’

This year’s competition is expected to attract at least 150 teams from all over the UK.  The competition kicks off in April with a series of knock out rounds.  By August, the 64 finalists in the men’s, ladies’ and mixed events will be decided. 

They then converge on Torquay’s Riviera International Conference Centre for the grand finals on Saturday September 17, where the teams will compete for trophies, medals, prize money and special champions’ teeshirts.

This year’s competition has a new sponsor, Gasket Guy, who custom make and install commercial fridge and freezer door seals. 

Gasket Guy boss Brian Pengelly said the company was delighted to be sponsoring the championships for the first time.  The company makes and fits commercial fridge and freezer door seals.

‘Gasket Guy ensures you don’t lose your cool,’ he said, ‘and as proud sponsors of the British Skittles championships, we are looking forward to watching all the skittlers keep their cool too – especially when it comes to the grand finals.’

The event is organised by Serious About Events of Torquay who also run a range of sports and themed weekends throughout the year.  Serious About MD Rachel Bourke predicted another keenly fought competition this year.

‘The tension builds throughout the Spring and Summer as the qualifiers emerge from the knock out rounds,’ she said. 

‘Then of course comes the amazing and unique atmosphere at the grand finals.  One thousand skittlers and supporters under one roof – now that is really something!’

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