Exeter fields six teams in British Championships

Exeter is fielding no fewer than six teams in the finals of the Blackthorn British Skittles Championships next week in Torquay (Saturday 21 September). And in something of a record, four of the teams come from the same home alley at St Thomas Social Club.

In the men’s competition, the Allstars, Heavitree Heroes, Two Tribes and the Saints will be fighting it out for top honours. Meanwhile the pressure in the ladies’ competition falls on the Hustlers and the Sinners, who were ladies’ champions in 2011.

Dave Rowe, team secretary of the Saints and Sinners, confessed that his teams have not been playing well and both only qualified in their final respective matches.

"It’s brilliant that we have four teams from St Thomas in the finals. Saints and Sinners, plus the Allstars and Two Tribes. We’ll all be supporting each other in the competition, unless of course it comes down to the wire. Things might change a bit then.

"I predict the Saints will do well this year. I have a good feeling about them."

Allstars' best performance in the Blackthorn was in 2008 when they reached the quarter finals. Meanwhile, Two Tribes have reached the finals at their first attempt, along with the Hustlers from GWSRA.

Other Exeter contenders are the Heavitree Heroes who play out of Heavitree Social Club. Their best result to date was as quarter finalists in 2010 so they will be hoping to beat that this year.

Blackthorn Cider are celebrating their tenth consecutive year of sponsoring the championships. This year's competition has attracted skittlers from no fewer than ten counties from the Midlands right down to Cornwall, plus Wales.

Blackthorn are putting up £6,000 worth of prize money as well as trophies and cases of the legendary cider to celebrate the 40th anniversary since the brand’s launch.

"We congratulate all the finalists on qualifying," said Andrew Cross, Blackthorn Marketing Manager, "and we are incredibly proud of our 10 year association with these Championships.

"Cider and skittles are a great combination and can provide a welcome boost to the trade by driving footfall into pubs and clubs.

"There have been some epic battles in pubs and clubs up and down the country this summer with some matches going down to the wire. In one case, it was so close that for the first time in Blackthorn history, Rule 14 had to be invoked to produce a qualifier.

"We anticipate even more drama in the finals where the stakes will never be higher. It really is going to be a fantastic event.’" 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 21 September.