Nick Hall has put in 3 solid performances so far, can he make it to half octochampdom (if that is a word)
C1: Champion Nick Hall (3 wins, 263 points.)
He is a therapist from stratford
C2: Challenger Fiona Owen.
From Bude, Cornwall (lovely place as well), she is a mature student studying clinical psychology and once was mistaken for princess Diana, so she says but there definitely is a resemblance.
DC: Susie Dent and Chris Packham.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
Round 1: C H T R I A O E D
C1: CHARIOT (7)
C2: CHARTED (7)
DC: CHARIOTED (18)
Score: 7–7 (max 18)
Both players get off to a solid start with 7's but dictionary corner go far better with a 9, what a start!
Round 2: T P R U E N L O S
C1: PUNTERS (7)
C2: losers
DC: TUPELOS (7)
OT: TURNSOLE (8)
Score: 14–7 (max 26)
Fiona is seeing phantom S's as Nick siezes the upper hand with a 7
Round 3: R N L A O G T I O
C1: ROOTING (7)
C2: GROAN (5)
DC: ROGATION (8)
OT: ROOTLING (8) TRIGONAL (8)
Score: 21–7 (max 34)
And Nick extends his lead with yet another 7
Round 4: U Z E D A S N T L
C1: SLANTED (7)
C2: SALTED (6)
DC: UNSALTED (8)
Score: 28–7 (max 42)
Fiona never thought about adding a UN- prefix, she seems out of her comfort zone, meanwhile Dictionary corner find a darrenic 8
Round 5: 75, 50, 5, 2, 3, 9. Target: 667.
C1: 667. (75x9) - (5+3) (10)
C2: 667. same method (10)
Score: 38–17 (max 52)
Teatime teaser: ENIDGLEN -> NEEDLING
Round 6: D R S T E E O S B
C1: STROBED (7)
C2: BESTED (6)
DC: BEDSORES (8)
OT: BESTRODE (8) BOREDEST (8) DOSSERET (8) OERSTEDS (8) SOBEREST (8)
Score: 45–17 (max 60)
Round 7: L D E A E S C V I
C1: CLEAVES (7)
C2: SLEVED (6)
DC: DESCALE (7)
OT: ADVICES (7) AEDILES (7) CLEAVED (7) DECILES (7) DEVICES (7) LEVADES (7) VESICAL (7) VESICLE (7)
Score: 52–17 (max 67)
Round 8: T Y E A I S D M G
C1: STEAMED (7)
C2: MASTED (6)
DC: DAYTIMES, (8) MEDIATES (8)
Score: 59–17 (max 75)
Round 9: V G W C U E U O F
C1: COVE (4)
C2: VOGUE (5)
DC: FUGUE (5)
Score: 59–22 (max 80)
Round 10: 100, 25, 4, 5, 7, 5. Target: 458.
C1: 455.
C2: 459. (100x5) - (25+5+7+4) (7)
RR: 458. (100+7)x4)+25+5 (10)
Score: 59–29 (max 90)
None of the contestants could find it, but as usual Rachel delivers the goods again
Teatime teaser: MOVECORE -> OVERCOME
Round 11: N T R N I O I E Q
C1: TINNIER (7)
C2: INTERN (6)
OT: TENORINI (8)
Score: 66–29 (max 98)
Round 12: D N K T O E I B R
C1: TONKED (6)
C2: TONKED (6)
DC: RIETBOK (7)
OT: BOINKED (7) BORNITE (7) ORBITED (7)
Score: 72–35 (max 105)
Round 13: S J W S A O I M E
C1: SWIMS (5)
C2: AMISS (5)
DC: SWAMIS (6)
OT: JISSOM (6) MESIAS (6) MIAOWS (6) MOSSIE (6)
Score: 77–40 (max 111)
Round 14: 75, 100, 25, 2, 7, 4. Target: 117.
C1: 117. (100+25) - (2x4) (10)
C2: -
Score: 87–40 (max 121)
Fiona has had a mare!!! Thank goodness they didn't have to turn to Rachel for that one
Round 15: G E N T L E D A D
No one buzzes. The answer was DETANGLED.
Final Score: 87–40 (max 131)
Nick has won
Another good performance for Nick who looks like he will be securing a place in the finals, I don't think he will challenge the likes of Jack and Peter (who I can see have been constantly on apterous)
So can Nick make it 5 wins tomorrow or will there be an upset? Find out tomorrow.
Be sure of it