SIX cuemen from Salisbury were feeling proud after reaching the semi-finals of a nationwide competition.

Adam Guyatt, Richard Swaffield, Dave Penny, Joey Gunn, Simon Teppett and captain Gary Hook travelled to the Northbeck Castle, Blackpool for the 40th BAPTO team trophy.

Known as the The Victoria Hookers, who play in The Victoria Hotel, won three of their group games to progress to the main event.

A 6-4 victory in the last 16 backed up by a 6-2 thumping in the quarter-finals eased them into the last four.

However, they went down 6-4 to Derbyshire, who boasted national league players. They went onto win the competition.

Teppett said: "Before we went if we were told we would get to the last 16 we would have all been happy with that."

The tournament returns to Blackpool at the end of the year.