THEY might not have tasted victory yet this season, but the Hill Street Blues skittles team are staying upbeat nonetheless.

The Blues, of Lydney, currently prop up Division Six in the Royal Forest of Dean Men’s Skittle League. Formed from the ashes of the Royal British Legion Club forced to fold due to financial issues, they are yet to avoid defeat this season.

At their last game’s commencement, they sat a dizzying 62 points adrift of their closest competitors. To put that gulf into perspective, the gap between second-to-last and first in the division was 56 points.

Club secretary David Porter offered some analysis: “We’re putting in good performances, getting our scores up, but the problem is we just keep coming up against better teams.”

It should be noted that of the ten Hill Street Blues players, five were total novices when the team formed this season – and two have been struggling with injuries.

That said, Craig Bell, who has been battling against a broken bowling arm since day one, claims that he played better with a cast on.

Their latest defeat - a loss to league leaders Yorkley Star - won’t dent the Blues’ spirits.

The team brings together the very best of the Lydney community; as well as the friendship and fun embedded in their fabric, the team does fantastic charity work, raising over £1,000 for local causes.

“We did well today but were unlucky,” Stan Rudge said. “With the young talent we’ve got coming through, next year we’ll be unbeatable!”