DORSET skittlers had to settle for two triumphs in the plate competition for first-round losers in this year’s Butcombe British Championships.

The Colliton Club from Dorchester won the men’s plate, having qualified for the finals for the first time at their third attempt. Meanwhile, One Step Beyond from Weymouth took the Mixed Plate title.

In addition, One Step Beyond’s press officer Greg Black was awarded the championships’ press officer award for his portfolio of work in publicising the team and their mascot Suggs. Suggs took a bow with the team when they went up to their presentation ceremony and wore a team shirt during the day’s proceedings. Judges praised the entry for its fun presentation and content.

There was a victory for Weymouth in the ladies’ pairs competition with Candice Myatt and Terri Saddington from the Motley Crew and, in the mixed pairs, Steve Tinkle of the Motley Crew and Jen Sims of the Oakettes from Dewlish, were runners up.

In the main men’s championships, Dorset’s best hope for a title had rested on the shoulders of twice former champions the Skimmers, from the Bull’s Head in Dorchester.

But their luck ran out in the second round of the finals, at the hands of Weston St John from Weston-super-Mare. Mrs Brown’s Boys from Dorchester were also dismissed in the second round.

Ladies’ competition regulars the Oakettes, twice semi-finalists, found themselves in a first round defeat against the Motley Crew.

The Crew then made it to the semi-finals but lost to the eventual champions, the Everhopefulls. Also in the ladies’ competition, first time qualifiers Shot O’Clocks from Dorchester reached the quarter-finals.

All three entrants in the mixed championships, the Motley Crew A, One Step Beyond and the Wool Misfits, all went out in the first round.