Two tribes go for the double
Exeter’s newest Butcombe British champion skittles team is determined to make it a double this year. As entries opened for the 2015 competition, Two Tribes mixed team (pictured above) are already planning the defence of their title.
The team, who play out of St Thomas Social Club in the city, lifted the coveted trophy at only their second attempt. Captain and secretary Barry Powell said he’s optimistic they will qualify for the finals.
‘After that, it’s anybody’s game,’ he said. ‘In the end, we were lucky but it was a close run thing in the semi finals.’
Two more teams from St Thomas Social Club have declared their entries. Dave Rowe who captains the Saints men’s team and the Sinners women’s team, is optimistic about their chances.
‘Saints improved their performance last year and I think the Sinners were unlucky, beaten by the Dolly Mixers by just one pin in the semi finals.’
The Sinners are the more experienced team with two British championships to their credit in 2008 and 2011 plus a runner up trophy in 2009.
Meanwhile over at the Ship and Pelican, team captain Julie Ware is busy organising her team the Heavitree Heroes who were runners-up in the men’s competition last year, their best ever result in their competition history. So what was the secret of their success?
“it was the atmosphere that made it,’ said Julie. ‘I’m hoping not to be so nervous this time. And also I’ll be asking the boys for a little restraint in the beer department. Just keep our heads and hopefully we can then celebrate.’
The team play out of the Ship and Pelican where a skittle alley was specially built for the team.
More than 150 teams from all over the UK regularly compete in the Butcombe championships which begin with a series of knock out rounds from April through to August. The 64 finalists then converge on Torquay’s Riviera International Conference Centre in September to battle it out for trophies, prize money and Butcombe beer.
The event is organised by Serious About Events of Torquay who have submitted last year’s championships for a Guinness World record as the biggest skittles competition.
‘We are waiting for confirmation from Guinness,’ said Rachel Bourke, Serious About Events MD. ‘We know of no other competition that involves so many skittlers. So we’re crossing fingers that that with nearly 472 matches played and 1,696 competitors taking part, we will get the record. And it looks like we’ll be overtaking those figures with this year’s competition.’
Butcombe Brewery boss Guy Newell said the company was delighted to be sponsoring the championships for a second year.
‘All the team at Butcombe are really enjoying being associated with this fantastic competition,’ said Guy. ‘But nothing quite prepared us for the amazing atmosphere and excitement at the finals in Torquay last year.
‘The place was packed out with people having a really great time playing skittles, whilst enjoying our beer of course! The tension built throughout the day to the grand finals where the teams played as if their lives depended on it. It really is an incredible event.’
To enter please visit www.seriousaboutevents.co.uk
Butcombe British Skittles Championships statistics: by the end of the competition
• More than 30 days equivalent of skittles action
• 150 teams take part
• 500 matches played
• 150,000 balls will be thrown
• 300,000 skittles will have been stuck up
