A CRACK domino team from the Riflemans pub in Wilmslow had their hopes blasted at the national championships.

Despite hot shot performances in qualifying rounds the Wilmslow team were knocked out in the first round.

Team captain Keith Booth was valiant in defeat but said bad luck triggered the Riflemans' early exit.

"We didn't pick up good dominoes but they did," said Keith, who used to run the pub.

"We were quite shocked to get beaten 7-2 in the first match, they weren't any better than us. In fact they were knocked out in the next round.

"Still we still had a good time and we stayed out afterwards overnight."

Undeterred the Riflemans will have another shot at the prestigious title next year.

Keith said: "We're already getting ready for the start of the next competition and we're looking forward to the preliminary rounds which start in July."