MOTLEY Crew got back on the road for their 2019 crusade in the Serious About British Skittles Championship with a 353-326 loss to Rebels.

Last year’s championship saw the Motley ladies battle their way through the group stages to qualify for the Grand Finals held in Torquay, where they took home the runners-up trophy, with the win going to the Royal Tot’s & Lot’s from Taunton.

The games played by the ladies throughout the day were challenging, but the fantastic team spirit kept the dream alive.

Motley Crew Ladies were super impressed with their amazing achievement and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the Grand Finals and partied like champions until the end of the night and morning.

This year is no different and Motley Crew have entered in the ladies, mixed and men’s events.

The championship battle sees many other teams across the county partaking including those who are well-versed, alongside some new blood.

The competition attracts around 150 teams from across the UK, all competing for one of the 64 places in the grand finals.

REBELS 353 MOTLEY CREW LADIES 326

MOTLEY Crew Ladies did not have far to travel for their first match as they were drawn against local alley rivals Rebels at Wyke Regis Social Club.

Spirits were high in the Motley camp but it was also the same for injuries and illness that hindered Motley’s starting team selection, luckily they mustered a full side.

The Wyke Rebels started the match off steadily taking 55, the Crew starting sluggishly hitting only 50, giving the home side an early advantage.

The home side continued to advance in the second taking another five pins from Motley giving them a 10-pin lead.

An impressive third hand saw the Rebels take 71, with stick ups from Chanine Brooks (nine), Sian Vaughan (14) and anchor lady Karen Collins (13) which put the Crew under pressure and they could only retaliate with a mere 53.

The fourth saw some much needed positivity from the Motley pulling back four leaving them trailing by 24.

Into the penultimate hand, the Crew matched the home side’s 56, leaving them a big hill to climb on the last hand.

Solid skittling continued from the Rebels who hit 58, before a glimmer of hope shone through when Motley’s captain Hayley Guille took her chance of a square. Sadly the light was switched off too early as she bolted it for only a nine as the triumphant Rebels took the win of their first fixture in the championship.