WELSH skittles stars the Barry Stars women’s team are gearing up for the forthcoming Butcombe British Skittles championships, whose qualifying rounds begin next month. Last year they were the only Welsh team to reach the finals. But they had such a good time that they’re getting together a second team for the mixed competition this year.

In just a two year history in the competition, Barry Stars reached the quarter finals at their first attempt in 2013. Last year they qualified for the finals once again but exited gracefully after the first round to former champions the Sinners from Exeter. First round losers automatically entered the women’s Plate competition and the team valiantly reached the semi finals before going out to the St John’s Rollers from Weston Super Mare

Captained by Toni Lambert this year, the team play out of the Sea View Club.

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