Wiltshire skittlers returned home with the biggest trophy haul of the weekend after a standout performance at the 4th Serious About Events Skittles Extravaganza, held at the Derwent Hotel in Torquay from 25–27 September.
More than 250 skittlers from across the country competed in singles, pairs and team events, with Wiltshire taking home more silverware than any other county.
Leading the celebrations were the Buckaneers from Trowbridge, who were crowned team champions after a dramatic final against Frampton CC.
The two teams finished level on 425, forcing the title to be decided by a three-ball bowl-off, with each side nominating one player.
Frampton set the bar with a 14 spare, but the Buckaneers responded with 16 to seal the match and take the title back to Trowbridge.
It was only the Buckaneers’ second appearance at the Skittles Extravaganza, making the victory even more memorable.
The result also means the team title has now gone to Trowbridge for two consecutive years, after Mighty Quacks lifted the trophy in 2025.
Wiltshire’s success continued across the individual competitions.
Alex Norgett from Chippenham won the Men’s Singles title, while Ady Skinner and Phil Webb from Melksham were crowned Men’s Pairs champions.
Ady Skinner also finished runner-up in the Men’s Singles, giving him a second trophy from the weekend, while Alex Norgett’s wife Stacey reached the Ladies Singles final.
The Extravaganza also gives players the chance to experience the many different styles of skittles played around the country.
Different counties and leagues have their own techniques, deliveries and traditions, with one of the biggest talking points of the weekend being the Dorset double-handed flop, which sees players quite literally throw themselves down the alley as part of their delivery.
Organiser and company director Rachel Hosking from Serious About Events said:
“The team final was about as dramatic as it gets. To finish level on 425 and then have the championship come down to three balls made for an incredible finish.
“Wiltshire certainly made its mark this year, with success across the team, singles and pairs competitions and more trophies going back to the county than anywhere else.”
Serious About Events has been hosting skittles weekends for 32 years and now runs 10 team events each year. The Skittles Extravaganza is the only one to combine team competition with separate singles and pairs tournaments.
With Trowbridge teams now taking the title in both 2025 and 2026, the question is already being asked – can Wiltshire make it three in a row next year?
