MELKSHAM Sports saw off 12 teams from Wales, Bristol, Gloucester and Wiltshire to lift the trophy in a national skittles competition, winning a thrilling final by just two pins.

Sports, who play out of the Forest Community Centre, travelled to Torquay for their annual outing in the Serious About Events Series of weekend tournaments.

Various members of the team have been competing in the competitions since 1996, but success on the podium has only arrived in recent years.

Last year they were runners up and came third in 2014.

Normally a men’s team they had to recruit ladies to make up the numbers and team captain Sue Pearce confessed that they were surprised to win.

"We only made it to the finals on the second day of the tournament on pin countback,'' she said.

"So we only scraped through as the fourth of the four finalists. But on the day, everyone managed to play well.

"We were still surprised when we won though. It was close.''

The team beat nearest rivals the Exiles from Bristol by 401 points to 399.

Samson Rams B from Bristol came third with 394 followed by Crwys A from Caerphilly on 374.

Sports will be back in Torquay for another tournament before the season finishes at the end of the month.