Friday 29 January 1993 (Series 25; Prelim 13)

[Jacob Sutton]

Countdown recap for Friday 29 January 1993.

C1: Champion Noel Turner (4 wins, 219 points.)
C2: Challenger Ray Johnstone.
DC: Richard Samson and Sheridan Morley.
CV: Carol Vorderman.
OT: Other words or solutions.

R01: C D S E A M R U Z
R02: G C N A I E B K O
R03: L S A I E L W T R
R04: 100, 8, 4, 7, 9, 6. Target: 609.
R05: N R C A O E M T I
R06: M S L Q O E A S D
R07: S N R O E G L I T
R08: 100, 75, 3, 9, 6, 4. Target: 121.
R09: L O N G S H I P S (conundrum)


And now a brief interlude before our main feature:

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Enjoy the show.

Round 1: C D S E A M R U Z

C1: CRAZED (6)
C2: AMUSED (6)
DC: CRUSADE (7)
Score: 6–6 (max 7)

Round 2: G C N A I E B K O

C1: BACKING (7)
C2: BACKING (7)
DC: COINAGE (7)
OT: BEGONIA (7)
Score: 13–13 (max 14)

Round 3: L S A I E L W T R

C1: SALTIER (7)
C2: WASTREL (7)
DC: LITERALS (8)
OT: STAIRWELL (18)
Score: 20–20 (max 32)

Round 4: 100, 8, 4, 7, 9, 6. Target: 609.

C1: 609. (10)
C2: 609. (10)
Score: 30–30 (max 42)

Richard asks the challenger if he did it by doing (100 x 6) + 9, to which they obviously say yes. Liar.

Round 5: N R C A O E M T I

C1: CREATION (8)
C2: CREMATION (18)
Score: 30–48 (max 60)

Round 6: M S L Q O E A S D

C1: damosels
C2: DAMSELS (7)
OT: LASSOED (7)
Score: 30–55 (max 67)

Round 7: S N R O E G L I T

C1: genitors
C2: GLISTEN (7)
OT: RINGLETS (8) STERLING (8)
Score: 30–62 (max 75)

Round 8: 100, 75, 3, 9, 6, 4. Target: 121.

C1: 121. 100 + ((6 x 4) - 3) (10)
C2: 121. 100 + ((6 x 4) - 3) (10)
Score: 40–72 (max 85)

Round 9: L O N G S H I P S

C1 buzzes on 2 seconds to say POLISHING which is incorrect.
C2 does not buzz.
The answer was SPLOSHING.
Score: 40–72 (max 95)

Noel's impressive run is cut short in dramatic style with a 32-point margin thanks in majority to a hugely unlucky 9-letter word miss, and also the offering of GENITORS which would, of course, be fine now. With a current series best of 72 points and one 9-letter word already under the bonnet it will be interesting to see how Ray fares in his next game.

Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=25

[Johnny Canuck]

C2: Challenger Ray Johnston.

According to the wiki, it's Ray Johnstone. Just noticed because he had the highest score of the series.

[Jacob Sutton]

Ahh yes, it is. Thanks.

[Joseph Krol]

Might be worth mentioning that both contestants work producing RADAR stuff and both were born in Middlesbrough. Nice coincidence.