A resounding success with the greatest number of entries yet! The Blackthorn British Skittles Championships 2006 Grand Finals was a spectacular day for all teams involved and supporters alike. 4 months of gruelling qualification phases culminated in a fantastic display of skittles by teams from Cornwall to The Midlands, from Wales to the South coast. There were gallant efforts by all teams that qualified.

In the end, prize money of £1,000, trophies, Blackthorn goodies and the coveted title of Blackthorn British Skittles Champions for 2006 were awarded as follows:

Men’s Champions: Cotswold Cavaliers from Cirencester, Glos.
Ladies Champions: Titbits from Berkley, Glos.
Mixed Champions: AKA Predators from Weston-Super-Mare

Runners-up in each event receiving £500, trophy and Blackthorn goodies were as follows:

Men’s runners-up: Pin-Ups from Dorset
Ladies runners-up: Wyke Orbits from Dorset
Mixed runners-up: Muppets from Ross-on-Wye

The last 16 teams of each of the 3 events got the ball rolling at Sand Bay Holiday Village, Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 23rd September. For teams that fell at the first hurdle, a plate event was held and the results were as follows:

Men’s plate winners: The Posh from Dursley, Glos
Men’s plate runners-up: Skimmers from Dorchester

Ladies plate winners: Royal TOTS from Taunton
Ladies plate runners-up: Pirates from Cheltenham

Mixed plate winners: Calpens from Callington, Cornwall
Mixed plate runners-up: Yetties from Budleigh Salterton, Devon

The Press Officer award was won by Paul Watkins from Uffculme Bellies for presenting the best local press coverage for the event. Runner-up was Jono Reed of Redskins and third place was taken by Vince Milton of Mowers.

Click here to read the winning report

All 48 teams who reached the Grand Finals received free accommodation sponsored by Hollybush Hotels Ltd. for the Saturday night and were entertained by top comedian Paul Eastwood with disco and Karaoke.