WORCESTER hopefuls Westsiders have won their group in the 2007 Blackthorn British Skittle Championships.

Westsiders, who play their home matches at the Herefordshire House in St John's, saw off Wallbangers 302-296 to finish top of their regional section.

The team now progress through to a series of knockout rounds in a bid to qualify for the last 16 stage of the competition.

The finals day will take place at the Sand Bay Holiday Village, Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday, September 22.

The winning team in each of the men's, women's and mixed categories will receive a cheque for £1,000, while the runners-up will receive £500.

Westsiders' match against Wallbangers on the Herefordshire House alley proved to be a topsy-turvy affair.

The visitors struggled to find their form early on and were 19 pins down after the first two legs as Steve Skates and Dave Fryer started well for the hosts.

Wallbangers duo Pat Gorin and Stuart Grendal finally found some form in the third leg, only for Westsiders' topscorer Andy Tyler to turn up the heat in the last leg.

Finally, though, Westsiders claimed the match, which meant they had came top of one of the most difficult groups in the competition.

For more information about the Blackthorn British Skittle Championships, log on to www.shootoutclub.co.uk/bbsc or call 01803-210210.