Spoilers For Bank Holiday Monday May 5th 2014

[James Robinson]

So, we're now heading into the cut-down Countdown phase now, as the next 2 weeks have episodes ONLY on Monday and Tuesday, meaning more Robinson Recaps for a while

But, for now, that's a sideshow, as the main talking point is whether Neil Green will become the 3rd octochamp of the series, a feat he will achieve by winning both matches this week.

While reaching Mark's score of 902 is well beyond his reach, his recent centuries mean he still has a chance of topping Andy Naylor's 781, with Neil currently on 565, only 216 points behind. Will he win for a lucky 7 today

Tony Jacklin will be in DC for both days this week before his run ends.

Join Andy for the recap later.

[Tony Atkins]

Close game so far - alt of VIPEROUS in R2.

[Tony Atkins]

Alt second numbers (75-7-5+4)x(10-7)

[Gavin Chipper]

It's interesting how he's done better with 6 small than with 1 large. I think they've been fairly straightforward though and he might not realise they're not all like that.

[Tony Atkins]

Anyone know if urethans is CSW valid?

[Tony Atkins]

I see Sean was an trial member on apterous at the start of May, which is only after filming. Shame he didn't stick with it.

[Tony Atkins]

What a cracking game! Certainly better than the game on 5th May three years ago.

[Andy Platt]

Cracking game today. I really thought Neil would win even when he was 10 down going into the conundrum(s).

Really though there's so many people that got to 6 wins, what is up with that? Neil is the highest scoring of the four people on six wins though, so I fully expect to see him in the finals.

[Bradley Cates]

Great game. Neil did seem octochamp-worthy but his numbers really let him down and the two he didn't get today were quite do-able, whether you're a devout Countdowner or just a neutral. If he improves his numbers, this and his terrific word knowledge will make him a strong contender in the finals if he gets there (which seems a high possibility).

[Jordan F]

I think Neil has clinched, in fact.

[Steven M. McCann]

If Neil does make it to the quarter-finals, I reckon he could be a dangerous opponent for the top seeds, especially if he's been working on his numbers in the meantime.

[szodiac]

Anyone know if urethans is CSW valid?

Yes it is! .... as was his amotion from the NATION round - athough NANOBOT should be a beater.

I have Jessica alongside watching also and predicted Neil would come up with those two CSW words

Note that an alternative unhearts from the HAUNTERS round was also CSW only !!

Mauro

[Andy Platt]

Had UNEARTHS from those letters ^

[szodiac]

So, we're now heading into the cut-down Countdown phase now, as the next 2 weeks have episodes ONLY on Monday and Tuesday, meaning more Robinson Recaps for a while
clipped

Oh good. I'll be able to give Des Chiffres et des Lettres more attention without having to switch from Countdown to DCDL, from DCDL to Countdown, and back again

Secretly wish C4 would give Countdown the 4.30 slot Fifteen-to-One had

Mauro

[Martin Thompson]

Anyone know if urethans is CSW valid?

Yes it is! .... as was his amotion from the NATION round - athough NANOBOT should be a beater.

I saw BONIATO. Surprised Neil didn't spot it. Those 2 wrong words proved to be costly, but at least he'll be in the quarter-finals.

[James Robinson]

THAT WAS AN AMAZING WAY TO SPEND A BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

An exciting game which went to and fro, but yet again the numbers and CSW words proved costly for the Scrabbler...............

But, he will be formidable in the finals, so will be one to watch................

I managed to MAX it, which I was well happy with, considering my form has been up and down quite a bit recently.

FAERIES in round 1 and BONIATO in round 12.

[Adam Gillard]

What a game!

[Fred Mumford]

If Neil does make it to the quarter-finals, I reckon he could be a dangerous opponent for the top seeds, especially if he's been working on his numbers in the meantime.

What's surprising is that in terms of numbers rounds maxed, Neil's stats are very very similar to all the other 6 time winners this series.

On words, his max rate is even better than Mark Murray's, and he only missed one conundrum until the one that did him in.

However, due to the nature of his dropped rounds (invalid words and often being beaten on the numbers), he has dropped an awful lot of points for someone who maxes so often.

[Ian Fitzpatrick]

If Neil does make it to the quarter-finals, I reckon he could be a dangerous opponent for the top seeds, especially if he's been working on his numbers in the meantime.

What's surprising is that in terms of numbers rounds maxed, Neil's stats are very very similar to all the other 6 time winners this series.

After he was shown to be weak on numbers in his first show I thought that in general he had an easy run on most numbers from then on which probably makes the stats look better than you would expect.

[Sean Fletcher]

I see Sean was an trial member on apterous at the start of May, which is only after filming. Shame he didn't stick with it.

I will more than likely sign up properly soon. Just been busy making sure I get what I need for Uni first

[Tony Atkins]

What a cracking game! Certainly better than the game on 5th May three years ago.

As Sean is still around on the Countdown scene and has asked me which game I was referring to -
it was my first game which started off close but ended a bit one sided.