THE OPENING round of a newly imagined annual skittles competition has taken place at the Wellington Conservative Club.

The re-introduction of skittles at the club following the pandemic had seen teams competing to win prizes of up to £300 with runners up and high score prizes given out.

Over the last few years however, the summer competition had the problem where teams and their respective players took their holidays, so maintaining teams of eight had become a challenge for the organisers, where there would be long delays to finish the competition.

As a result, the Conservative Club have come up with a triples competition for this year.

Teams involved in this competition will be the option to have a substitute player should they be in need of one.

The club has opened it’s doors to non members (guests) and teams consisting of male/female or mixed. The return of a £15 entry fee for the winners is £150 first prize with £75 going to the runners up.

The competition has attracted 15 teams consisting of regular league skittles teams, together with a mixture of new faces and players of old coming back to take part.

Notable entries have seen the Reservists, previous two-time winners of the eight-a-side competition come through the first rounds and through to the semi finals.

The Mowers are also in the competition with three teams, now down to two as they were drawn against each other in the first round, while the others Mowers side drew the bye.

Nynehead club have put forward several teams and previous finalists X-Men also appear as two new teams. The quarter finals continue this week, with the semi final having taken place on Monday July 28, while the final will take place on Friday August 1.