Tuesday 21 July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 22)

[Mike Brown]

Tuesday 21 July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 22).

C1: Challenger Paul Varlaam (from Wandsworth).
C2: Challenger Yvonne Battelle (from Blackpool).
DC: Susie Dent and Anton Du Beke.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.

After the excitement of Mr Hulme’s incredible octochamp run, this seems almost certain to be something of an anticlimax. But was that the case? For anyone else who, like me, is a bit behind with their Countdown-watching, let’s find out!

R01: R T N I O P B E I
R02: P V O D S A D N I
R03: G R U O N L T E I
R04: J N O C R A D O E
R05: 25, 9, 5, 4, 1, 4. Target: 290.
TTT: SEALSPIN - "It doesn't hurt to have no windows."
R06: B S A R S U E Q A
R07: T N E I S C A R G
R08: N R H N E O E T U
R09: S T I X F E O M A
R10: 100, 5, 3, 7, 4, 1. Target: 706.
TTT: NOCACTUS - "Stories about banking facilities."
R11: D H E N T A O Y D
R12: E C P I L S T O E
R13: M L U T L A O S I
R14: 75, 2, 7, 5, 9, 6. Target: 812.
R15: F E I N T G R I P (conundrum)

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Prompted by the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, the programme starts with a discussion of the key events Jeff and co. can recall seeing on TV at the time. And Susie remarks that she wishes she had been alive in 1954 to witness Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile. Anyway, that’s enough of that, let’s get running!

Round 1: R T N I O P B E I

C1: TORN (4)
C2: POINTER (7)
DC: POINTIER (8)
Score: 0–7 (max 8)

Round 2: P V O D S A D N I

C1: PONDS (5)
C2: AVOIDS (6)
DC: AVOIDS (6)
OT: DANIOS (6) DIVANS (6) VIANDS (6) PIANOS (6) POINDS (6) SPAVIN (6)
Score: 0–13 (max 14)

So far this game is looking like a bit of a damp squib, but there’s plenty of time yet...

Round 3: G R U O N L T E I

C1: tingler
C2: gruntle
DC: LOUNGER (7) OUTLINER (8)
OT: ROUTEING (8)
Score: 0–13 (max 22)

Oh dear, it appears to be getting worse! In the words of D:Ream...

Round 4: J N O C R A D O E

C1: DANCER (6)
C2: CRANED (6)
DC: CARDOON (7)
OT: CORONAE (7) CROONED (7) DRACONE (7)
Score: 6–19 (max 29)

Happily, Paul gets on the scoreboard, but Yvonne maintains her early lead. Susie considers the rather lovely-sounding CARDOON pencam-worthy. Come to think of it, CORONAE and DRACONE aren’t so bad either.

Round 5: 25, 9, 5, 4, 1, 4. Target: 290.

C1: -
C2: 290. (25+4)x(9+1) (10)
Score: 6–29 (max 39)

A trivial numbers game, as long as you don’t try to go down the 25 times 12 route. Yvonne doesn’t make that mistake and moves into what is being to look like an unassailable lead, even at this early stage.

Anton discusses some of the partners he has had on “Strictly” and says he would love to partner Susie. Not quite as slimily as Gyles might have done, but I'm still feeling slightly nauseous...

Teatime teaser: SEALSPIN -> PAINLESS

Round 6: B S A R S U E Q A

C1: abrases
C2: SQUARES (7)
DC: BASQUES (7)
OT: ABUSERS (7) BARQUES (7) BAUERAS (7) QUASARS (7)
Score: 6–36 (max 46)

Another bad risk from Paul gives Yvonne a fantastic 30-point lead. I was half-expecting ARABESQUE to be in there, which would have been nice with Anton in DC. A BAUERA is an evergreen bush native to Australia.

Round 7: T N E I S C A R G

C1: INGRATES (8)
C2: CREASING (8)
DC: SCANTIER (8) RECASTING (18)
Score: 14–44 (max 64)

In amongst the gazillion eights, I felt sure there was a nine lurking in there somewhere. But could I see it? Nope. Well done to all of those that did. Grrr...

Round 8: N R H N E O E T U

C1: ENTHRONE (8)
C2: THRONE (6)
DC: HEREUNTO (8)
OT: UNTHRONE (8)
Score: 22–44 (max 72)

Some good eights there. Also a couple of nice sevens in NEURONE and NEUTRON. Well, I think they’re nice, anyway. And is this the start of some sort of comeback...?

Round 9: S T I X F E O M A

C1: FOAMIEST (8)
C2: MOIST (5)
Score: 30–44 (max 80)

... Perhaps so! Brilliant darrenic spot from Paul. Are his nerves settling now and his true form emerging? Game on!!??!!??

OoW: Susie discusses the origins of the word ‘slogan’.

Round 10: 100, 5, 3, 7, 4, 1. Target: 706.

C1: 706. (7x100)+5+1 (10)
C2: 706. (7x100)+5+1 (10)
Score: 40–54 (max 90)

Teatime teaser: NOCACTUS -> ACCOUNTS

Round 11: D H E N T A O Y D

C1: TOADY (5)
C2: TODAY (5)
DC: DONATED (7)
Score: 45–59 (max 97)

I thought several members of the audience would have got DONATED, but there was a rather loud gasp when Anton announced it, so perhaps not!

Round 12: E C P I L S T O E

C1: POLICES (7)
C2: ECLIPSE (7)
DC: EPISTLE (7) PISTOLE (7)
OT: PETIOLES (8) PICOTEES (8)
Score: 52–66 (max 105)

A shame Dictionary Corner didn’t spot PETIOLES, especially as it used to be a bit of a Countdown regular in years gone by. Or maybe they were just being modest.

Round 13: M L U T L A O S I

C1: MIST (4)
C2: MAILS (5)
DC: ULTIMO (6) SOLATIUM (8)
OT: MAILLOTS (8)
Score: 52–71 (max 113)

Despite Paul only getting a four, he could still win this thing. STRANGER THINGS HAVE BEEN KNOWN.

Round 14: 75, 2, 7, 5, 9, 6. Target: 812.

C1: 812. ((9+2)x75)-(7+6) (10)
C2: -
Score: 62–71 (max 123)

ZOMG – Yvonne fails to score on a pretty standard numbers game and it’s a crucial after all.

Round 15: F E I N T G R I P

C1 buzzes on 6 seconds to say FINGERTIP which is correct.
Score: 72–71 (max 133)

Paul uses his fingertip to good effect and the game is his. He mops his brow, while Yvonne looks understandably disappointed. When was the last time someone came back from being 30 behind? I leave that as an exercise for the reader.

In the words of Bugs Bunny, “That’s all, folks!”

Recap by Kid Mole.

Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=61

[Dinos Sfyris]

An excellent story, Michael, with great use of descriptive words and suspense. Your spelling has also improved. This is by far your best work to date!

Mr Sfyris

[Mike Brown]

An excellent story, Michael, with great use of descriptive words and suspense. Your spelling has also improved. This is by far your best work to date!

Mr Sfyris

Thanks, teach. I'll buy you an apple.