DEFENDING British skittles men’s champions, the Wiltshire Wonders, reckon they are hungrier than ever to clinch the national crown for a third time.

The Melksham team, who stormed to victory convincingly last year, first made their mark on the British championships in 2011 when they were runners up.

Then in 2014 they won the trophy, captain John Wiltshire admitting their second win last year convinced them that it wasn’t a fluke.

‘When we won last year, it was another great feeling,’ he said. "But now we are thinking that if we could win again, we’d equal the previous record of three victories. So now the heat is on.’

The Wonders’ arch-rivals are likely to be the Highwaymen from Worcester, who themselves have three titles under their belts, but Wiltshire said: "Same team, same routine, same playing, same beer. We want to equal that record.’'

The Wonders will begin their defence in the regional league rounds and play-offs once entries close on April 7. .

This year’s championship is expected to attract at least 150 teams who will be battling hard for a place in the grand finals in September, with only 64 teams qualifying to make the trip to Torquay in South Devon.

Entries close on April 7. For more information about the event see seriousaboutevents.co.uk/skittles/british-championships.