30BC Grand Final Spoilers For Friday March 1st 2013

[James Robinson]

Drumroll, please................

Ladies and gentlemen, you are cordially invited to what is without doubt the highlight of this year's game show calendar.

The fortieth and final episode of what is without question the GREATEST EVER SERIES OF COUNTDOWN

And now we have a fitting final to decide who will be the new SUPREME COUNTDOWN CHAMPION.

It's fair to say that these 2 contestants have excelled themselves in this tournament, especially when you consider that they both started in the preliminary rounds in the very first week, all those days ago.

Between them in this tournament, they have defeated 5 series champions, scored over a century in EVERY game they have played in this tournament, have got 9 out of 10 conundrums, and have achieved 3 max games.

These 2 leviathans also happen to be studying mathematics at Cambridge University, so it's a real battle of the brains today.

Just in case, you are stupid enough to forget who these magnificos are, they are the Series 63 Champion (and still undefeated after 16 matches), JACK HURST, and the Series 54 Champion (who plays his 20th televised 15 round match today), CONOR TRAVERS.

Here are the stats:

Firstly, Series 63 Champion Jack Hurst - 16 Games, 16 Wins, 1,872 Points. (Average: 117)
Highest Score: 143 vs. Wayne Kelly (30BC Round 1)
Lowest Score: 108 vs. Peter Godwin (Quarter-Final) & vs. Mark Deeks (30BC Prelim)
9's Achieved: 10/11
Max Game Count: 0
Total Points/Max/%: 1872/2012 (93%)
Letters Points/Max/%: 1286/1384 (93%)
Numbers Points/Max/%: 456/468 (97%)
Conundrum Points/Max/%: 130/160 (81%)

Secondly, Series 54 Champion & CoC XII Semi-Finalist Conor Travers - 19 Games, 18 Wins, 2,133 Points. (Average: 112.26) (I've not included the 12-round 25th Birthday Special)
Highest Score: 124 vs. Andrew Christley (6th Game), Paul Howe (Semi-Final) & John Hunt (CoC Prelim)
Lowest Score: 98 vs. Matthew Shore (Grand Final)
9's Achieved: 7/12
Max Game Count: 3
Total Points/Max/%: 2133/2390 (89%)
Letters Points/Max/%: 1483/1642 (90%)
Numbers Points/Max/%: 490/558 (88%)
Conundrum Points/Max/%: 160/190 (84%)

I am absolutely, thrilled, honoured and delighted to be given the task of recapping what should be an almighty game, and I promise you THE RECAP OF ALL RECAPS!!!!!

I hope it won't disappoint.

See you on the other side.

[Dave Preece]

This is almost impossible to call, but if I had to put my house on it, I'd have to go for Conor. The stato inside me wants Jack to end his career with 100%. How he is going to beat Conor is beyond me though?

[Andy Platt]

I'm saying this like I don't know the result, you have to think both players are looking for 14 maxes including the conundrum because at this level, there's typically no room for any more mistakes than that.

[Jon Corby]

I'm saying this like I don't know the result, you have to think both players are looking for 14 maxes including the conundrum because at this level, there's typically no room for any more mistakes than that.

Well you can drop one round (provided it's not a nine), so I can't see anything but it coming down to the conundrum. Which is a bit gay really. Should've been a live 25 hour marathon for the final.

Edit: Just realised that you meant that anyway, I must have misread your "14 maxes including the conundrum" as "14 maxes plus the conundrum" or something equally as stupid

[Kirk Bevins]

Well you can drop one round (provided it's not a nine), so I can't see anything but it coming down to the conundrum. Which is a bit gay really.

Yeah, let's not bother with the first 40 minutes of the show and just do a 1 round conundrum to decide the winner.

[Jon Corby]

Well you can drop one round (provided it's not a nine), so I can't see anything but it coming down to the conundrum. Which is a bit gay really.

Yeah, let's not bother with the first 40 minutes of the show and just do a 1 round conundrum to decide the winner.

Exactly. I'll fast-forward through the show to the conundrum. And even then it'll be over in <1 second probably. Ridiculous, what an appalling end to the series. I'm getting annoyed just thinking about it.

[Tony Atkins]

No, you really do want to see all of it. There was a good crowd in for this game as all the quarter-finalists dragged themselves out of the Green Room to occupy the back row. Up until then there was only about 6 apterites plus Neil Z
in the audience to whoop and whistle alongside the regular audience members. Oddly most of the audience came
in a group from Moston, from where the morning school party came from, and most of Dudley's chat was with them
discussing whether the school was in Moston or actually in New Moston.

I would not be surprised if the rounds and guest spot/oow appear out of the normal order today as they will need more time for the presentations in the third segment. The special guest made quite a long speech during the presentations, though I doubt if it will all make the edit. Hopefully the show will end with the group shot they took at the end.

[Jon Corby]

No, you really do want to see all of it.

Oh go on then, I'll watch it.

[Jon O'Neill]

all the quarter-finalists dragged themselves out of the Green Room to occupy the back row

Actually no. The cool dudes (Me, DoD + DoD Sr., Innis) were all in the Green Room having an amazing time.

[Jon Corby]

all the quarter-finalists dragged themselves out of the Green Room to occupy the back row

Actually no. The cool dudes (Me, DoD + DoD Sr., Innis) were all in the Green Room having an amazing time.

In that case I'm back to not watching it.

[Arthur Bennett]

I would not be surprised if the rounds and guest spot/oow appear out of the normal order today as they will need more time for the presentations in the third segment.

Now that you mention that, I wouldn't be too surprised either.

That said, I believe there's only been one previous episode in the 15-round era where the order wasn't normal - that episode being, of course, Jeff Stelling's last.

The special guest made quite a long speech during the presentations, though I doubt if it will all make the edit.

You are talking about Jenny, right?

EDIT: OK, you weren't.

[Adam Gillard]

EXCITED!

[Jennifer Steadman]

EXCITED!

ME TOO

EVEN MORE EXCITED NOW I'VE SEEN THE JUMPER SELECTION

[Arthur Bennett]

Am I the only one who thinks that Nick could have dressed a bit better here?

It's almost like that grey suit is the first thing his hand touched, IMHO...

And Conor's found PONYTAILS. Ominous already.

[Andy Platt]

[Jack Worsley]

Alt for 1st numbers: 50x9 + (100x9-75)/25

[szodiac]

round 2 ?? well... it wont be a max game now !!

Mauro

[Andy Platt]

round 2 ?? well... it wont be a max game now !!

Mauro

What did you have in round 2?

[szodiac]

I'll leave the learned among you to find the 9 - then it would have been three 9s in a row !! ( round 6 It is now!!)
I'll give you a clue it starts with GL - a cluster of nerve endings.

M

[Arthur Bennett]

I'm still not sure that Jenny is the right guest for a match like this, TBH...

I assume Damian will be on to this thread later - maybe he'll explain then why she was chosen for this week.

And jeez, is that really Conor's third nine already?!

[Andy Platt]

[Jennifer Steadman]

Tekkers on that first numbers round from Rachel.

[Jon O'Neill]

round 2 ?? well... it wont be a max game now !!

Mauro

I'll leave the learned among you to find the 9 - then it would have been three 9s in a row !! ( round 6 It is now!!)
I'll give you a clue it starts with GL - a cluster of nerve endings.

M

What are you on about? This isn't the fucking puzzle forum. You can write in plain English.

[szodiac]

round 2 ?? well... it wont be a max game now !!

Mauro

I'll leave the learned among you to find the 9 - then it would have been three 9s in a row !! ( round 6 It is now!!)
I'll give you a clue it starts with GL - a cluster of nerve endings.

M

What are you on about? This isn't the fucking puzzle forum. You can write in plain English.

GLOMERULI

[Andy Platt]

round 2 ?? well... it wont be a max game now !!

Mauro

I'll leave the learned among you to find the 9 - then it would have been three 9s in a row !! ( round 6 It is now!!)
I'll give you a clue it starts with GL - a cluster of nerve endings.

M

What are you on about? This isn't the fucking puzzle forum. You can write in plain English.

GLOMERULI

I like where you used the S

[Peter Mabey]

Alt 2nd numbers: 7x8x(10+7-6)

[szodiac]

GLOMERULI

I like where you used the S[/quote]
My fault apologies
edit: getting a bit exited during the phenomenal final

[Arthur Bennett]

Jesus Christ. 108-90 and we're only at the end of the second half.

If Conor actually goes and beats Julian Fell's 146 here... well, then who is to say that he still isn't the greatest of all time?!?!

And the order is still normal. That suggests that this long speech that Jenny* made was indeed edited.


* Didn't have any idea at the time that Marcel Stellman would make an appearance.

[Andy Platt]

GLOMERULI

Trying to pass the buck now!! hahaha

[szodiac]

GLOMERULI

Trying to pass the buck now!! hahaha

See I'm getting too exited b the final !!

M

[Tony Atkins]

The special guest isn't Jenny.

Alt R11 SMOKIE

[Jordan F]

Well done already to Conor on the win, now I hope you can tie the record.

And you did it! What more can I say Conor? I think with no disrespect to Jack or anybody else in the tournament, Conor was the absolute most deserving winner out of this bunch with his consistent standard. And unlucky Jack, scoring that high against Conor is mighty mighty impressive, but I think if you had to get a first loss, this was the way to do it. And you played a hell of a tournament in your own right.

Sad it's all over, but what an ending.

The group photo at the end credits was a nice touch too.

[Chris Philpot]

Incredible! Commiserations Jack but so very well done Conor! I think matching Julian's record is a very fair way to end undoubtedly the greatest series in the history of Countdown.

[Tony Atkins]

Marcel did indeed speak for a lot longer than that. Glad they included the group picture at the end. It was "taken"
by just leaving one of the TV cameras running.

Well done again to Conor and all involved.

[Stewart Holden]

Congratulations to Conor, undoubtedly the strongest player of all time and a thoroughly nice chap to boot. The whole series has been remarkable to watch, many thanks to the Countdown team for making it happen.

Without wanting to detract from the 146, I have to say I'm completely baffled by the frequent choices of a 5th vowel at the end of unproductive selections. It just seems to limit what's available, particular in two of the final letters games where just a single extra point would have beaten Julian's record. Is there a strategic reason for doing this that I haven't figured out?

[szodiac]

Marcel did indeed speak for a lot longer than that. Glad they included the group picture at the end. It was "taken"
by just leaving one of the TV cameras running.

clipped.

Yes a nice touch. Haven't had time to see the picture properly but do we know any persons in it?

Superb performance from both contestants. Many congratulations to Jack and Conor- you can tell I was overwhelmed by it all

M

[Jojo Apollo]

WAHEY!!! All hail king Conor, king of Countdown, king of the jumpers, brilliant bloody brilliant!

Many congrats Conor, you were the last man standing in this battle royale of all time greats, a very fitting champ. Brilliant standard, many congrats on matching the all time high score and many congrats to Jack on being the runner-up in this epic series.

Well done to the Countdown team on putting together this epic, this series and the Supreme champ series are the best ever. Here's to another 30 years!

[Arthur Bennett]

Probably a shame that that conundrum - appropriate as it was - ended up being the first non-crucial one in what felt like ages.

And certainly a shame that the letters in rounds 11 and 12 were nasty.

Ah, well - equalling Mr Fell's record is just as good as beating it.

The special guest isn't Jenny.

Why didn't you say there was another, then?

Good to see that Monsieur Stellman still likes the show, even after the events that led to Rachel's appointment.

Without wanting to detract from the 146, I have to say I'm completely baffled by the frequent choices of a 5th vowel at the end of unproductive selections. It just seems to limit what's available, particular in two of the final letters games where just a single extra point would have beaten Julian's record. Is there a strategic reason for doing this that I haven't figured out?

TBH, it actually wouldn't surprise me if Conor wasn't thinking too much about the record.

Don't forget, Jack still wasn't out of the game...

[Adam Gillard]

Wow. Breathless. Amazing. Heartfelt congratulations, Conor! I agree with Chris that tying Julian's record score is a nice outcome all round. Jack, you played very well in this game and throughout the tournament - if you'd shown the same respect to every opponent as you did to Conor, then I would have been singing your praises throughout (I know you couldn't care less, just my opinion). This final was played in the right spirits and to a standard befitting the incredible Countdowning we've been treated to in this series. I couldn't help but notice that 'ambulance' and 'Charlie' both got a mention in this very special episode!

Conor, you are the greatest Countdowner ever, and deservedly so. It was a nice touch to have Marcel present the trophy and to show the group photograph at the end. Congratulations to all involved and a huge thank you to the Countdown team for providing such incredible Penelope-unfriendly entertainment over the past months.

[Chris Davies]

What a game. That was fantastic. Many congratulations to Conor and also to Jack on getting this far. Both of you are legends.

[Jack Worsley]

Many congratulations to Conor on winning the competition and equalling the highest score ever! You have been phenomenal throughout the tournament (apart from only getting a terrible 12 maxes in your first game ) and have performed with unbelievable consistency, which I doubt will ever be seen on the show again. It was a shame the letters at the end were so poor because you deserved to break the record but equalling it is the next best thing and it's only fitting that the greatest ever Countdowner should do this. On top of this, you've also been extremely modest about it so well done, a very worthy champion!

Well done to Jack too who was gracious in defeat and who has also been brilliant throughout his time on the show. If you'd spotted PONYTAILS, who knows what would have happened after that?

It was a nice touch to have Marcel Stellman on at the end to present Conor with his trophy. His speech went on for quite a bit longer but some was cut from the broadcast due to time constraints. He also asked if he could come back in another thirty years.

Hats off to the Countdown team for getting this tournament on! I've loved taking part in it and spectating some of the best games in Countdown history. I think it's fair to say that you've exceeded everyone's expectations as all we were asking for was a regular three-week CoC event. It's a pity that Penelope and Co might not have enjoyed it as much as we have but you can't please everyone and we'll be sad to see the end of this.

Hopefully soon there'll be another classic games update on apterous and if that happens, the editor's pick section is going to be destroyed.

[Jennifer Steadman]

Ohhh maaa gurrrrd. Amazing final. Awesome scores. Absolutely incredible series. Congrats Conor, commiserations Jack, cheers to the Countdown Team for organising this series.

Genuinely a little bit emotional that there won't be another one of these, but I guess that's what makes it so special. This series should totally be made available as a boxset though.

[Andy Platt]

Without wanting to detract from the 146, I have to say I'm completely baffled by the frequent choices of a 5th vowel at the end of unproductive selections. It just seems to limit what's available, particular in two of the final letters games where just a single extra point would have beaten Julian's record. Is there a strategic reason for doing this that I haven't figured out?

Well in the GUARD round for example, E at the end (the most likely vowel to come up, especially if it's not already in the selection) would have given AUGURED. I couldn't see a productive consonant pick there.


Anyway - congrats again Conor, thoroughly deserved, and a bit harsh not to get the outright record to be honest - those letters towards the end were stinkers.
I hope my hug at the end was the main reward for you - screw the trophy and the glory and the lifetime of respect.

Congrats Jack on, again a very well-deserved 2nd place, you held your nerve well on a couple of crucial conundrums and it was no disgrace to not match this guy today.

Cheers Damian for putting on the competition, brilliant experience even to just watch, god knows how people like Conor and Jack must be feeling, and hopefully there weren't too many letters from Penelope complaining about the standard of play being too high, because everyone put their heart and soul into this, what a competition.

[Nick Deller]

How on earth do you fit that amount of perfect into 36 short minutes of airtime? Kudos, people. Kudos.

[Ned Pendleton]

This championship has been brilliant. I've been genuinely excited to watch Countdown every day for the last couple of weeks. Just endless really close games going down to crucials between the very best of all time. Conor is extremely calm and cool, has an incredible talent for the game, certainly the best player ever, just unstoppable. The whole thing's been played in a good spirit and I think it's clear to anyone watching that there exists a really friendly, jovial Countdowning 'community'.

While I'd have liked to see Conor get yet another max game and break the record, I was pleased for Rachel getting that elegant numbers solve ahead of Jack and Conor today, could tell she was chuffed. Perhaps it's for the best that Conor has equalled Julian Fell's record rather than beaten it - tribute to pre-Apterous days.

Don't know about anyone else, but even though it's been an absolute pleasure watching these great players over the last couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to getting back to normality and seeing how Rachael Moran gets on on Monday!

[Adam Gillard]

It's looking very much like Countdown will get the go-ahead to stage a special Countdown Champions event, with a view to it kick-starting our 2013 tv schedule [...] If not enough people come forward, we'll crack on with Series 68 proper as per normal.

I don't think you'll get enough interest in that

[Grant Waters]

Awesome awesome performance today and throughout the whole series by Conor. Very well played by both but PONYTAILS seemed to settle it quite early on.

Along with Mark & Innis's 25 hour marathon this has been a momentous day in the history of Countdown. I have enjoyed watching it all and feel privileged to have been part of Series 67 and therefore tuned into it at such an amazing time in the show's history that otherwise I might have missed.

The standard of play will surely never be matched again in the future, but one thing that Conor's score today proves is just how incredible Julian Fell's score was, and I agree with others that it seems especially fitting that these two great players can share the record for now.

Adios amigos.

[Countdown Team]

Well done all, thanks for everything.

From, THE Countdown Team.

[Hywel Morgan]

Brilliant. Hope that isn't the last we see of those two. Really enjoyable.

[Philip Jarvis]

It's been an absolutely amazing series to watch. The standard has been incredible. Congratulations to both Jack and Conor for making it a great final to watch. Well done to Conor for finishing with a terrific score and the winner's title that you truly deserved.

Don't know about anyone else, but even though it's been an absolute pleasure watching these great players over the last couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to getting back to normality and seeing how Rachael Moran gets on on Monday!

Yes - it will be good to see Rachael again and the other mere "mortals" as Nicker Hewer referred to next weeks contestants. That will probably be an accurate description when compared to some of the performances we have seen over the past 8 weeks.

[Andy Platt]

Yes - it will be good to see Rachael again and the other mere "mortals" as Nick Hewer referred to next weeks contestants. That will probably be an accurate description when compared to some of the performances we have seen over the past 8 weeks.

It's so true

Very hard act to try and live up to - some incredible performances that will be remembered forever

[Thomas Carey]

Such a shame they didn't get 483 - but this was EPIC. Well done to Jack and great 146 by Conor.

For the first time ever, I'm changing my mind about who was the best ever contestant. Sorry Kirk, but Conor Travers just... Conor, why have you quit apterous?

[Mark Ivey]

Today's episode I think qualifies as one of the landmark episodes of Countdown, and definitely the best ever. I've never seen a contest so closely fought and such high quality than this one. This was pretty much a perfect episode (although it was slightly spoiled by the C4 continuity announcer talking over the credits... I know it's next to impossible, but it would have been nice if the credits ran uninterrupted), and one than deserves to be made into a Classic Game on Apterous.

Congratulations to Conor, Jack, all the contenders and the entire Countdown team, who I am looking forward to meeting in six weeks. Thank you for such an excellent series.

[Arthur Bennett]

I haven't yet offered my congratulations yet, have I? Well, I will now.

Many, many congratulations, Conor. To win this championship with a hat-trick of perfect games and the joint-highest 15-round score in the final - I think that's a darn good reason to play some Carly Simon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKAToS9wguc

(I could play Tina Turner too, but that would be a bit too obvious a choice. )

Congratulations as well as commiserations, Jack. To reach the final of this tournament is an achievement in itself, and though Conor was just too darn good, you certainly didn't go down without some sort of a fight. I doubt there could have been a better way to finish second. (As I said, equalling Julian's record is just as good as beating it, and who cares that it wasn't a max game?!?!)

And congratulations to Damian and the team for organising the whole thing (even if I still don't know - yet, anyway - how Jenny came to be chosen as the DC guest for this final week). The phenomenal quality aside, it was good to see the likes of Darryl Francis, Wayne Kelly and several others from a very different era in the show's history - and inviting Marcel over to present the trophy was, as others have already said, a nice touch.

[David Barnard]

only 14 maxes? Just terrible ........................... only joking

What an insane game, I am lost for words so will stop right there

[Clive Brooker]

Brilliant. Hope that isn't the last we see of those two. Really enjoyable.

In the meantime, lets hope we see more nurses.

Great game and series, as if you need me to say that. The one thing I noticed today that wasn't up to standard was Nick's "over 6000 contestants", which as Graeme can no doubt confirm, was way off the mark.

Speaking of Graeme, I look forward to a flood of enthralling new statistics once James has completed the recap.

[Chris Corby]

(i) Congratulations to the Countdown team for the greatest tournament ever to be shown on British television
(ii) Congratulations to Conor who is officially the greatest player of all time (and no arguments from any other player seemingly)
(iii) Congratulations to everybody else who took part. As it was a knockout tournament, Conor won it as he lost no games - everybody else lost just one game so were all joint 2nd!

[Ian Volante]

Fun!

[Chris Philpot]

The one thing I noticed today that wasn't up to standard was Nick's

I fully expected the next word in this sentence to be "tie".

[Tracey Lilly]

Great game - Couldn't have predicted the outcome before the game but I guessed when Conor got 'ponytails' in the early rounds that it was going to be an uphill struggle for Jack to draw even.
Hope to see you guys again in a 'special' CD programme in the future.
Does any one know whether Julian Fell was invited to attemd this series? Would love to see a challenge match between the two only 146 ers.