SKITTLE stars the Barry Stars are once again the only Welsh representatives in the finals of this year’s Butcombe British Skittles Championships on Saturday, September 20.

The women’s team, who play out of the Sea View Club, reached the quarter finals last year at their first attempt.

They’ll be up against 15 of Britain’s finest teams as the competition reaches its climax on Saturday, September 20. And they will face stiff competition. Last year’s winners, the Jolly Girls and runners-up, the Dolly Mixers have also qualified.

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 Guinness world record for the largest number of skittlers to take part 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."