Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

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Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by FOCAL Countdown »

Two tournaments, one showstopping end-of-year Finals Day…

Date: Saturday 24th November 2018
Venue: The Plough & Harrow (Best Western), 135 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8LS
Admission: £10 -- preferably by PayPal, please; other means on request
Doors open: 10am, for 11am start
Presented by: Jeff Clayton and Ben Wilson
Games to be played: 7, plus the FOCAL Grand Final
Finishes by: 5:45pm

For the third year running, FOCAL will host its Finals Day tournament in central Birmingham.

We will be in The Calthorpe Suite at The Plough & Harrow (Best Western) on Hagley Road, just a short distance from the city centre.

Our Top Eight from 2018 will battle it out to see who takes the FOCAL Champion title, and everyone else is welcome to sign up for our Birmingham Open tournament!

Format
Doors open at 10am with free tea & coffee on arrival, for an 11am start, to play seven 9-round games of Countdown.

The Top Eight will play each other once over the course of the day, and after their seven games, the two players with the highest wins and points totals will go forward to the showpiece Grand Final, to play one more game which will decide who is the FOCAL Champion.

For everybody else, fixtures for the first four draws will be random, and after that will use a Swiss pairings system to match you with people on similar results.

This event uses the Bristol classroom format with big screen graphics. This means everyone plays along to the same letters rounds, and gets a turn at picking consonants and vowels for the room at some point.

For the numbers games, you’ll get to pick which combination of large and small numbers you want, in turn in your pairs, from our specially designed five-line display.

Conundrums will be revealed on the screen for everyone just as on the TV show. We will explain at the start of the day how each part of the contest runs, and give everyone a practice run consisting of a letters game, a numbers game and a conundrum just before the first match.

There will be a break for lunch after the second or third match, another short break during the afternoon and, if you don’t make the Grand Final, a chance to recharge your glass just before our showpiece gets underway.

How to book
The entry fee is just £10. To secure your place, send your entry fee to Jeff Clayton, FOCAL Chair by PayPal or by cheque (address available on request).

Staying over?
Why not make a weekend of it! Also, since we’re running this event in late November rather than early-mid December this year, it offers up some cheaper room rates than during the Christmas party season. As such, room bookings are available online but FOCAL is not acting as an agent for the venue.

Any questions?
Please feel free to email focalcountdown@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham in November!
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by FOCAL Countdown »

Confirmed entrants (36)
James Robinson*
Mark Mills
Tracey Mills*
George Armstrong
Bradley Horrocks*
Nathan Pace
Tom Cappleman*
Jonathan de Souza
Ramesh Patel
Tim Down*
Callum Todd
Stewart Gordon
Sarah Bladon
Martin Thomas
Graeme Cole*
Mark Murray
Richard Priest
Jen Steadman
Steven Anderson
Tim Hardy
Amar Chotai
Chris Marshall
Zarte Siempre*
Pete Cashmore
Karen Pearson
David Hilton
Sam Prouse
Mike Brown
Jayne Wisniewski
Toby Pereira
Paul Worsley
Jack Worsley
Rob Foster
Jonathan Wynn*
Tom Carey
Tom Chafer-Cook

* = Top 8.

Last updated 21/11 @ 22:30.
Last edited by FOCAL Countdown on Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:38 pm, edited 20 times in total.
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by DJ Marky Mark »

Get £15 off the venue hotel by going to this link, we sorted and booked with breakfast...... https://www.booking.com/s/21_8/9e69b81a
Long suffering Husband of Tracey Mills.
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by Richard Priest »

I'm in, have paid.
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by FOCAL Countdown »

Just a reminder -- there is no lunchtime buffet at this year's event, but there is a big Morrisons a short walk along the Hagley Road.

Additionally, there is a Pizza Hut, Costa and Starbucks all within walking distance.

You are welcome to bring your own food from home, to consume in our venue room (the Calthorpe Suite) along with anything purchased from outside.

Jeff
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by FOCAL Countdown »

Our Top 8 are confirmed as:

1. James Robinson
2. Bradley Horrocks
3. Tracey Mills
4. Zarte Siempre
5. Tim Down
6. Jonathan Wynn
7. Graeme Cole
8. Tom Cappleman

Full details on how to sign up are available on the FOCAL website.

Thanks

Jeff
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Cannon Hill parkrun on Saturday morning.
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by Ben Wilson »

The standsings after 7 games are thus:

Standings
Players are ranked by wins, then points.

FOCAL Finals Played Wins Draws Points Spread 1st/2nd

1 Tom Cappleman 7 6 0 408 +24 4/3
2 Jonathan Wynn 7 5 0 424 +50 4/3
3 Zarte Siempre 7 4 0 440 +43 4/3
4 Tim Down 7 4 0 392 -19 3/4
5 James Robinson 7 3 0 407 +31 3/4
6 Bradley Horrocks 7 3 0 405 -15 3/4
7 Tracey Mills 7 2 0 351 -65 3/4
8 Graeme Cole 7 1 0 362 -49 4/3

CoBrum Played Wins Draws Points Spread 1st/2nd

1 Rob Foster 7 6 0 462 +101 3/4
2 Jen Steadman 7 6 0 438 +150 3/4
3 Tom Carey 7 5 0 455 +82 4/3
4 Jack Worsley 7 5 0 440 +116 4/3
5 Callum Todd 7 5 0 416 +70 4/3
6 Tom Chafer-Cook 7 5 0 415 +72 2/5
7 Mark Murray 7 5 0 412 +114 4/3
7 Sam Prouse 7 5 0 412 +5 3/4
9 Richard Priest 7 4 0 408 +69 3/4
10 Mike Brown 7 4 0 407 +1 4/3
11 Matty Artell 7 4 0 388 +22 3/4
12 Jonathan de Souza 7 4 0 387 +46 4/3
13 Steven Anderson 7 4 0 373 +81 4/3
14 Jayne Wisniewski 7 4 0 361 +8 3/4
15 George Armstrong 7 4 0 348 +21 4/3
16 Paul Worsley 7 3 0 384 -14 3/4
17 Karen Pearson 7 3 0 363 -6 3/4
18 Toby Pereira 7 3 0 351 -27 3/4
19 Chris Marshall 7 3 0 338 -51 4/3
20 David Hilton 7 3 0 321 -57 3/4
21 Martin Thomas 7 2 0 382 +41 3/4
22 Stewart Gordon 7 2 0 371 -28 4/3
23 Nathan Pace 7 2 0 283 -53 4/3
24 Amar Chotai 7 2 0 280 -40 4/3
25 Ramesh Patel 7 2 0 264 -27 4/3
26 Mark Mills 7 2 0 246 -51 4/3
27 Tim Hardy 7 1 0 134 -226 3/4
28 Prune 7 0 0 0 -419 4/3

Jonathan plays Tom in the final, which will be up shortly.
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Re: Birmingham Open & FOCAL Finals - Saturday 24th November 2018

Post by Ben Wilson »

Congratulations to Jonathan Wynn, FOCAL champion 2018! :D A well-deserved win after a hard-fought final.

FULL RESULTS

Round 1

FOCAL Finals
Zarte Siempre 60 - 46 Tracey Mills
Bradley Horrocks 51 - 55 Tom Cappleman
Graeme Cole 43 - 50 Tim Down
James Robinson 47 - 58 Jonathan Wynn

CoBrum
Karen Pearson 45 - 38 Steven Anderson
Jayne Wisniewski 44*- 34 David Hilton
Paul Worsley 55 - 59 Sam Prouse
Jonathan de Souza 55 - 46 Stewart Gordon
Martin Thomas 51 - 55 Chris Marshall
George Armstrong 47 - 12 Mark Mills
Amar Chotai 0 - 65 Richard Priest
Callum Todd 55 - 15 Tim Hardy
Ramesh Patel 33 - 66 Tom Carey
Jen Steadman 65 - 17 Nathan Pace
Toby Pereira 44 - 67 Rob Foster
Jack Worsley 59 - 32 Matty Artell
Tom Chafer-Cook 60 - 31 Mike Brown
Prune 0 - 62 Mark Murray

Round 2

FOCAL Finals
Tom Cappleman 63 - 61 Zarte Siempre
Tracey Mills 60 - 62 Tim Down
Bradley Horrocks 47 - 71 Jonathan Wynn
Graeme Cole 71 - 55 James Robinson

CoBrum
Jonathan de Souza 64 - 48 Karen Pearson
Rob Foster 74 - 28 Ramesh Patel
George Armstrong 48 - 70 Mark Murray
Mike Brown 70 - 60 Jayne Wisniewski
David Hilton 43 - 65 Tom Chafer-Cook
Toby Pereira 48 - 71 Tom Carey
Callum Todd 71 - 43 Sam Prouse
Richard Priest 60 - 63 Stewart Gordon
Steven Anderson 59 - 22 Tim Hardy
Chris Marshall 55 - 69 Matty Artell
Jack Worsley 71 - 33 Nathan Pace
Mark Mills 34 - 50 Paul Worsley
Martin Thomas 54 - 32 Amar Chotai
Prune 0 - 71 Jen Steadman

Round 3

FOCAL Finals
Zarte Siempre 56 - 60 Tim Down
Tom Cappleman 66*- 56 Jonathan Wynn
Tracey Mills 26 - 58 James Robinson
Bradley Horrocks 62 - 44 Graeme Cole

CoBrum
Karen Pearson 34 - 60 Paul Worsley
George Armstrong 47 - 51 Stewart Gordon
David Hilton 36 - 68 Matty Artell
Sam Prouse 56 - 66 Rob Foster
Martin Thomas 50 - 55 Toby Pereira
Amar Chotai 32 - 58 Jen Steadman
Mark Murray 60 - 24 Nathan Pace
Ramesh Patel 25 - 57 Jonathan de Souza
Mike Brown 66 - 29 Tim Hardy
Tom Chafer-Cook 41 - 66 Jack Worsley
Tom Carey 66 - 50 Chris Marshall
Richard Priest 50 - 52 Callum Todd
Mark Mills 34 - 56 Jayne Wisniewski
Prune 0 - 64 Steven Anderson

Round 4

FOCAL Finals
Jonathan Wynn 49 - 60 Zarte Siempre
Tim Down 43 - 66 James Robinson
Tom Cappleman 53 - 51 Graeme Cole
Tracey Mills 60 - 58 Bradley Horrocks

CoBrum
Tom Carey 72 - 58 Rob Foster
Jen Steadman 57 - 52 Jack Worsley
Mark Murray 44 - 61 Callum Todd
Matty Artell 57 - 48 Jonathan de Souza
Paul Worsley 72 - 62 Mike Brown
Steven Anderson 35 - 67 Tom Chafer-Cook
Stewart Gordon 55 - 59 Jayne Wisniewski
Chris Marshall 47 - 71 Richard Priest
Sam Prouse 55 - 53 Martin Thomas
Toby Pereira 42 - 51 George Armstrong
David Hilton 36 - 61 Karen Pearson
Ramesh Patel 22 - 39 Mark Mills
Nathan Pace 65 - 11 Tim Hardy
Amar Chotai 62 - 0 Prune

Round 5

FOCAL Finals
Zarte Siempre 63 - 54 James Robinson
Jonathan Wynn 54 - 53 Graeme Cole
Tim Down 55 - 58 Bradley Horrocks
Tom Cappleman 67 - 44 Tracey Mills

CoBrum
Jen Steadman 61 - 53 Tom Carey
Rob Foster 63 - 52 Callum Todd
Jack Worsley 72 - 39 Paul Worsley
Mark Murray 64 - 54 Tom Chafer-Cook
Matty Artell 52 - 48 Jayne Wisniewski
Jonathan de Souza 70 - 45 Richard Priest
Stewart Gordon 55 - 59 Mike Brown
Sam Prouse 63 - 59 Steven Anderson
Karen Pearson 52 - 55 George Armstrong
Nathan Pace 35 - 71 Martin Thomas
Chris Marshall 37 - 66 Toby Pereira
Mark Mills 44 - 57 Amar Chotai
Ramesh Patel 42 - 55 David Hilton
Tim Hardy 46 - 0 Prune

Round 6

FOCAL Finals
Graeme Cole 50 - 75 Zarte Siempre
James Robinson 70 - 54 Bradley Horrocks
Jonathan Wynn 61 - 53 Tracey Mills
Tim Down 64 - 53 Tom Cappleman

CoBrum
Rob Foster 72 - 54 Jen Steadman
Tom Carey 60 - 65 Jack Worsley
Mark Murray 54 - 44 Jonathan de Souza
Callum Todd 63 - 59 Matty Artell
Mike Brown 54 - 70 Sam Prouse
Paul Worsley 53 - 71 Tom Chafer-Cook
Jayne Wisniewski 57 - 54 George Armstrong
Richard Priest 63 - 60 Martin Thomas
Steven Anderson 52 - 40 Toby Pereira
Stewart Gordon 51 - 63 Karen Pearson
Chris Marshall 50*- 40 Amar Chotai
Nathan Pace 51 - 58 David Hilton
Tim Hardy 11 - 57 Mark Mills
Prune 0 - 56 Ramesh Patel

Round 7

FOCAL Finals
Zarte Siempre 65 - 75 Bradley Horrocks
Graeme Cole 50 - 62 Tracey Mills
James Robinson 57 - 61 Tom Cappleman
Jonathan Wynn 75 - 58 Tim Down

CoBrum
Jack Worsley 55 - 62 Rob Foster
Callum Todd 62 - 72 Jen Steadman
Tom Carey 67 - 58 Mark Murray
Matty Artell 51 - 57 Tom Chafer-Cook
Jonathan de Souza 49 - 66 Sam Prouse
Jayne Wisniewski 47 - 54 Richard Priest
Mike Brown 65 - 60 Karen Pearson
Steven Anderson 66 - 55 Paul Worsley
George Armstrong 46 - 43 Martin Thomas
Stewart Gordon 50 - 56 Toby Pereira
Mark Mills 26 - 54 Chris Marshall
Amar Chotai 57 - 59 David Hilton
Nathan Pace 58 - 0 Prune
Tim Hardy 0 - 58 Ramesh Patel

The final

Tom Cappleman 48 - 71 Jonathan Wynn
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