We're only up to programme 6, but already it looks like we could have our first Octochamp in the making. Rhys Benjamin has swept all before him in the first 5 shows, and is now well on the way to the Countdown promised land. Will he make it? Today he faces a challenge from Pat Lonergan. Enjoy. Countdown recap for Friday 26 June 2015.
C1: Champion Rhys Benjamin (5 wins, 418 points.) Rhys Benjamin - An apterite and sixth form student from Harrow, Greater London. A Fulham supporter.
C2: Challenger Pat Lonergan. A retired Librarian from Newbridge, County Kildare. Favourite book is Winnie The Pooh.
DC: Susie Dent and Joe McElderry.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: N T L U A I S O E
R02: V T A O D L E U P
R03: 5, 4, 50, 75, 25, 100. Target: 155.
TTT: SCOTDAWN - "The duck was upset when its feathers fell out."
R04: R F I A N R O A D
R05: S L P U I A D O L
R06: 4, 1, 9, 7, 10, 50. Target: 364.
R07: Q R S E U I B E T
R08: R Z U A P T E I M
R09: 6, 8, 50, 100, 75, 25, . Target: 832.
TTT: EUROCOST - "If sunbathing isn't your thing, you might head off on these."
R10: S T E A L R I O S
R11: C X N I A U R O H
R12: T C A I N S E A T
R13: M R P O U O T I E
R14: 6, 9, 5, 3, 2, 50. Target: 536.
R15: V E N U S C O L D (conundrum)
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Round 1: N T L U A I S O E
Rhys: elations
Pat: ENTAILS (7)
DC: TOENAILS (8) OUTLINES (8) INSULATE (8) ELUTIONS (8)
Score: 0–7 (max 8)
Rhys has 'elations' disallowed, which would have scored 8. Pat shows that scoring in this round ENTAILS getting a valid word.
Round 2: V T A O D L E U P
Rhys: TADPOLE (7)
Pat: PETAL (5)
DC: POUTED (6)
OT: OVULATED (8)
Score: 7–7 (max 16)
Rhys makes up for his blunder with TADPOLE for 7 to level the scores, as Pat gets PETAL for 5.
Round 3: 5, 4, 50, 75, 25, 100. Target: 155.
Rhys: 155. 100 + 50 + 5 (10)
Pat: 155. 100 + 50 + 5 (10)
Score: 17–17 (max 26)
A slightly easy perfect 10 for both players.
Teatime teaser: SCOTDAWN -> DOWNCAST
Round 4: R F I A N R O A D
Rhys: FRIAR (5)
Pat: FRIAR (5)
DC: INROAD (6) ORDAIN (6)
OT: AFRAID (6) ARONIA (6) FARINA (6) RADIAN (6)
Score: 22–22 (max 32)
Both players get FRIAR for 5 points each.
Round 5: S L P U I A D O L
Rhys: POLLS (5)
Pat: PALLID (6)
DC: UPLOADS (7) PLAIDS (6)
Score: 22–28 (max 39)
The POLLS say Rhys gets 5, but Pat gets PALLID and scores 6 instead.
Round 6: 4, 1, 9, 7, 10, 50. Target: 364.
Rhys: 364. (50 x 7) + 10 + 4 (10)
Pat: 364. (50 x 7) + 10 + 4 (10)
Score: 32–38 (max 49)
A perfect 10 for both players with this very slightly harder numbers game.
Joe McElderry talks about his tour of almost 100 shows this year, and a night when the fire alarm went off.
Round 7: Q R S E U I B E T
Rhys: QUIETER (7)
Pat: ESQUIRE (7)
DC: BEQUEST (7)
OT: BRIQUETS (8) REQUITES (8)
Score: 39–45 (max 57)
It's a level round FOR 7 as we see QUIETER and ESQUIRE.
Round 8: R Z U A P T E I M
Rhys: TAMPER (6)
Pat: PERMIT (6)
DC: TRAPEZIUM (18)
Score: 45–51 (max 75)
It's 6 points a piece as the players get TAMPER and PERMIT.
Round 9: 6, 8, 50, 100, 75, 25. Target: 832.
Rhys: 834.
Pat: 831. (100 x 8) + 25 + 6 (7)
RR: 832. 6 - (50 / 25) + 100 x 8 (10)
Score: 45–58 (max 85)
Pat gets 7 points for falling 1 away, as Rhys gets 2 away from a much more difficult numbers game, which Rachel solves.
Teatime teaser: EUROCOST -> ECOTOURS
Round 10: S T E A L R I O S
Rhys: RETAILS (7)
Pat: SAILORS (7)
DC: ISOLATES (8)
OT: TAILORESS (18)
Score: 52–65 (max 103)
It's 7 points each with RETAILS and SAILORS.
Round 11: C X N I A U R O H
Rhys: CHAIR (5)
Pat: ANCHOR (6)
DC: URCHIN (6)
OT: ANOXIC (6) ANURIC (6) ARCHON (6) CHINAR (6) CORNUA (6) INARCH (6) RAUNCH (6)
Score: 52–71 (max 109)
Rhys sits on the CHAIR as Pat gets ANCHOR for 6 points.
Susie talks about folk etymologies.
Round 12: T C A I N S E A T
Rhys: ATTAINS (7)
Pat: TAINTS (6)
DC: INSTATE (7)
OT: ASTATINE (8) ESTANCIA (8)
Score: 59–71 (max 117)
Rhys ATTAINS 7 points, as Pat TAINTS his chances of winning.
Round 13: M R P O U O T I E
Rhys: POUTIER (7)
Pat: PROMOTE (7)
DC: PROTIUM (7)
OT: TROOPIE (7)
Score: 66–78 (max 124)
It's 7 points each with POUTIER and PROMOTE.
Round 14: 6, 9, 5, 3, 2, 50. Target: 536.
Rhys: 536. (50 + 3) x (5 x 2) + 6 (10)
Pat: 536. (9 + 2) x 50 - 6 - 5 - 3 (10)
Score: 76–88 (max 134)
A good 10 points for both players. It's game over for Rhys, as Pat's lead becomes unassailable.
Round 15: V E N U S C O L D
Pat buzzes on 7 seconds to say CONVULSED which is correct.
Final Score: 76–98 (max 144)
So we have a new champion, as Rhys' run comes to an end. Pat acquitted himself very well and thoroughly deserved his win. With 5 wins, there is every chance Rhys could be back for the Quarter Finals, though he would be one of the lower seeds. There's quite a few good players coming up in the next few months, so it'll be an anxious wait for him as he awaits his fate. How far will Pat go? Will he continue his good form into next week? Join Andy McGurn on Monday to see if he can retain his champion's title. I'll be back next Friday. I hope you'll join me then. In the meantime thank you very much for reading, and goodbye.
Further summaries are at:
http://cdb.apterous.org/series.php?series=73
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