This was the match everyone was anticipating, and what a spectacular performance it was indeed! This is also the first double-century game since, by chance, Zarte's Grand-Final match against Philip back in June 2018!
Excellent letters spotting, in particular AUTODYNE from Paul which made the game at even pegging at that point! All-rounders in terms of Numbers just like Thomas and Stephen yesterday so well done to both for getting all 40 points!
Alas Paul, it was that invalid declaration of noshiest that brought you down.
If not, someone would've had to solve the Conundrum to break the tie. (I wonder what would've happened in that scenario.) Indeed, it was a harsh draw by the Countdown team; nobody wanted it, nobody asked for it and nobody wanted to see either one of you leave the Championship this early but in the end, what's decided is decided I guess and a strong player has to go home, in this case Paul.
In fact, so many of you voted for either of them to win the Championship overall here but the result is known already. With that, both Series 74 contestants here have been knocked out as well and in unfortunate circumstances, during a Crucial Conundrum. Congratulations to Zarte on earning the spot to play against Thomas, it's going to be another one to watch out for come next Thursday!
Next in line, it's by chance, two more Grand Champions fighting against each other, including one who nearly maxed out during his Finals. Hopefully we'll expect stellar performances again as compared to today...and Nick, yes, stop the curse please!
Progress:
Preliminary #1 (02 January):
Jonathan Wynn (Series 73 Grand Champion) vs Phil Davies (Series 78 Semi-Finalist) (
103 - 68)
Preliminary #2 (03 January): Ann Dibben (Series 74 Runner-Up) vs
John Cowen (Series 77 Semi-Finalist) (94 -
97)
Preliminary #3 (04 January):
Matthew Tassier (Series 73 Runner-Up) vs Dougie Mackay (Series 78 Semi-Finalist) (
96 - 78)
Preliminary #4 (07 January):
Thomas Carey (Series 73 Semi-Finalist) vs Stephen Read (Series 76 Grand Champion) (
106 - 87)
Preliminary #5 (08 January): Paul Erdunast (Series 74 Grand Champion) vs
Zarte Siempre (Series 78 Grand Champion) (105 -
113)
Preliminary #6 (09 January): Tom Chafer-Cook (Series 77 Grand Champion) vs Martin Hurst (Series 75 Grand Champion)
Preliminary #7 (10 January): Bradley Horrocks (Series 77 Runner-Up) vs Andrew Macleod (Series 75 Runner-Up)
Preliminary #8 (11 January): Philip Aston (Series 78 Runner-Up) vs Noel McIlvenny (Series 77 Semi-Finalist)
Quarter-Finals #1 (14 January): Jonathan Wynn (Preliminary #1 Winner) vs (Preliminary #8 Winner)
Quarter-Finals #2 (15 January): John Cowen (Preliminary #2 Winner) vs (Preliminary #7 Winner)
Quarter-Finals #3 (16 January): Matthew Tassier (Preliminary #3 Winner) vs (Preliminary #6 Winner)
Quarter-Finals #4 (17 January): Thomas Carey (Preliminary #4 Winner) vs Zarte Siempre (Preliminary #5 Winner)
Semi-Finals #1 (18 January): (Quarter-Finals #1 Winner) vs (Quarter-Finals #4 Winner)
Semi-Finals #2 (21 January): (Quarter-Finals #2 Winner) vs (Quarter-Finals #3 Winner)
Championship Final (22 January): (Semi-Finals #1 Winner) vs (Semi-Finals #2 Winner)