So we've finally got to the Final. As the curtain falls on series 69, which has been one of the most fascinating series in many a year, it is the greatest honour to be recapping the climax to it.
Before I even saw the start of the QF's, I knew we were in for something special given the lineup. Little did I realise quite how special this would turn out to be.
So without further ado, let me bring on 2 players who need no introduction to the Countdown community..... Number 1 seed Dylan Taylor and Number 7 seed Callum Todd.
Countdown recap for Friday 20 December 2013.
C1: #1 Seed Dylan "The Malpas Mutilator" Taylor (10 wins, 1203 points.) From Malpas, Cheshire. He defeated Bradley Cates 121-103 in Wednesday's Semi Final.
C2: #7 Seed Callum "The Tingley Tearaway" Todd (9 wins, 962 points.) A student from Tingley, West Yorkshire. He has beaten seeds 2 and 3 so far (Jen Steadman and Glen Webb respectively.) so looking for a giant killing hat-trick today.
DC: Susie Dent and Richard Madeley.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: A J T M O R E T A
R02: S W N V I E U R O
R03: 9, 6, 7, 4, 5, 2. Target: 832.
TTT: GOTTHERE - "The two of them got there at the same time."
R04: D G P L E I E F S
R05: A N L U D I T S E
R06: 7, 3, 10, 3, 8, 100. Target: 314.
R07: O A O R Q P D L E
R08: M B T M E I O A L
R09: 8, 5, 6, 9, 4, 2, . Target: 160.
TTT: MOLLYATE - "Molly ate a plate of luxurious seafood."
R10: R D S X I E O U T
R11: H G O A E T P F Z
R12: N G N C I O A O B
R13: E U R N R V I E G
R14: 8, 10, 2, 3, 7, 25. Target: 910.
R15: I H U R T P A L M (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Round 1: A J T M O R E T A
C1: TERATOMA (8)
C2: MATTER (6)
OT: AMARETTO (8)
Score: 8–0 (max 8)
TERATOMA is apparently a tumour composed of tissues not normally present at the sight. And what a start for Dylan as he races into an immediate 8 point lead. Looks like it might be a tough afternoon for Callum.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Round 2: S W N V I E U R O
C1: ENVIOUS (7)
C2: SOUVENIR (8)
DC: SENIOR (6) VERSION (7) NERVOUS (7)
Score: 8–8 (max 16)
Dylan got a 7, but he will be ENVIOUS of Callum's 8, which he will take home as a SOUVENIR. The scores are level as Callum responds immediately to Dylan's big 8 from Round 1. I think it might be the viewers, rather than Callum in for a tough afternoon now.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Round 3: 9, 6, 7, 4, 5, 2. Target: 832.
C1: 832. (9x6-2) x (7+5+4) (10)
C2: 832. (6x5x7) -2 x 4 (10)
Score: 18–18 (max 26)
A majestic display as both players get 832 and 10 points.
Teatime teaser: GOTTHERE -> TOGETHER
Round 4: D G P L E I E F S
C1: PLEDGES (7)
C2: PLEDGES (7)
DC: DEFILES (7)
OT: FLEDGES (7) SPIELED (7)
Score: 25–25 (max 33)
So both players give PLEDGES to do well today.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
Round 5: A N L U D I T S E
C1: INSULATED (18)
C2: INSULATED (18)
DC: TINSEL (6)
Score: 43–43 (max 51)
So the room is nice and warm now as we are INSULATED with both players getting the 9.
Round 6: 7, 3, 10, 3, 8, 100. Target: 314.
C1: 314. (100+7) x 3 -10 +3 (10)
C2: 314. 100+8) x 3 -10 (10)
Score: 53–53 (max 61)
A maximum for the numbers again. We would expect nothing less from these two players.
Richard Madeley talks about the guests he and Judy have had on their shows.
Round 7: O A O R Q P D L E
C1: LEOPARD (7)
C2: PAROLED (7)
DC: POODLE (6)
OT: PRELOAD (7)
Score: 60–60 (max 68)
So the LEOPARD is PAROLED for release here.
Round 8: M B T M E I O A L
C1: IMMOLATE (8)
C2: IMMOLATE (8)
Score: 68–68 (max 76)
The immaculate IMMOLATE comes out for both players here. Is there any separating these two?
Round 9: 8, 5, 6, 9, 4, 2. Target: 160.
C1: 160. 8 x 5 x 4 (10)
C2: 160. 8 x 5 x 4 (10)
Score: 78–78 (max 86)
Simple it may be, insignificant it is not. Both players get another 10 points.
Teatime teaser: MOLLYATE -> TOMALLEY
Tomalley is a digestive gland of a lobster which turns green when cooked.
Round 10: R D S X I E O U T
C1: OUTSIDER (8)
C2: OUTSIDER (8)
DC: OUTRIDES (8) DEXTROUS (8)
Score: 86–86 (max 94)
Callum, being number 7 seed, started out as an OUTSIDER in these Quarter Finals. Now Dylan is joining him as he too scores 8 points.
Round 11: H G O A E T P F Z
C1: POTAGE (6)
C2: POTAGE (6)
Score: 92–92 (max 100)
Six more for both with POTAGE.
Susie Dent talks about the work of Paul Jones.
Round 12: N G N C I O A O B
C1: CONING (6)
C2: BOOING (6)
DC: COOING (6)
OT: BAGNIO (6) BONING (6) CANING (6) GABION (6) GABOON (6)
Score: 98–98 (max 106)
And there's BOOING from Callum as Dylan gets CONING. A bit like from me when the Council start coning for roadworks.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Round 13: E U R N R V I E G
C1: REVERING (8)
C2: REVERING (8)
Score: 106–106 (max 114)
We are certainly REVERING these 2 players now. Both players crash through the hundred at once as we now head for a Grandstand finish.
Round 14: 8, 10, 2, 3, 7, 25. Target: 910.
C1: 910. (8+3+2) x 7 x 10 (10)
C2: 910. (25x3) + (8x2) x 10 (10)
Score: 116–116 (max 124)
Oh they make it look so easy. Another 10 points as 910 is achieved with minimum fuss.
So now for what is not just A crucial conundrum, this is THE crucial conundrum.....Drumroll........................
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Round 15: I H U R T P A L M
C2 buzzes on 5 seconds to say TRIUMPHAL which is correct.
Final Score: 116–126 (max 134)
Well well well! Who would have thought it? Only 3 months ago he was unknown to the Countdown community. A newbie to C4C, a newbie to Apterous, just an average 7 times champion who was cruelly beaten at the post and denied Octochamp-ship. Then suddenly, in just a few short weeks he improved to a level where he is now just about untouchable on Apterous. He then proceeded to the Quarter Finals, beating the much fancied (in more ways than one possibly
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
So Callum Todd is crowned champion of series 69 in the most dramatic style possible. Be honest. How many of you thought he would do it at the start of the QF's? That is apart from those who were at the studio of course.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
As I close this recap, I offer my warmest congratulations to Callum. It has been a great privilege to recap this final, along with all the other games I have recapped during this series. I am not about to retire as some recappers are now doing. Sorry folks
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
It only remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your presence again in 2014.
Further summaries are at:
http://cdb.apterous.org/series.php?series=69
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