CoStAl2 - Countdown In St. Albans - Saturday 27th June 2015

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:18 pm

THE WAITING IS OVER!!!

Back by popular demand, after a successful debut last year, I am delighted to announce that Countdown in St. Albans IS BACK!!!!

ST ALBANS - Saturday 27 June 2015
The County Club, 29 Ridgmont Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3AG

http://www.thecountyclub.org/
Google Streetview: http://tinyurl.com/nrbhfa5

Presented by James Robinson and Jeff Clayton, using the "Bristol" classroom format and playing along with big screen virtual studio graphics:

- Guaranteeing a minimum of 7 games for every contestant.
- The format will be 10 round games (LLNLLNLLNC) in 1/0 format, followed by a final phase of 9R QF and SF which will eventually lead to the 14R grand final.
- The grand final in Group A plays out as the tournament showpiece.

Doors open at 9am for a 10am start, with free tea & coffee available on arrival.

A buffet lunch will be provided at 12:30pm and light refreshments will be on sale from the bar throughout the day. (Please advise of dietary requirements, where necessary.)

The grand final starts at or just after 5pm, and we conclude with the prizegiving by 6pm -- prizes will be on offer for 1st and 2nd places in every group.

Admission costs just £15pp and you can secure your place now:
- By PayPal (jeffrey_clayton@hotmail.com / james_r_robinson@hotmail.com);
- By phone (Jeff: 07595 690 249 / James: 07817 750 544);
- By cheque (address available on request).

We have decided to cap the participation level at 40 contestants; spectators are also welcome.

The venue is a short walk from the mainline railway station (connections from the Midlands, the North and central London) and 15 minutes' walk from the city centre.
There is parking at the club; if the car park is full, there is also limited parking on Ridgmont Road, otherwise the rail station car park costs just £2 for the day.
Accommodation is available locally.

We look forward to hearing from you!

With thanks and regards,

James Robinson
on behalf of Jeff Clayton and Rob Gibney, President of The County Club, St. Albans

Confirmed Participants (35):
Rob Gibney
Dave Noble
Karen Pearson
Alain Burnel
Emilie Jayet
Richard Remaud
Mark Murray
Mauro Pratesi
Jessica Pratesi
Natasha Pratesi
Paul Worsley
Jack Worsley
Eddy Byrne
Adam Dexter
Callum Todd
Heather Styles
Phyl Styles
Alan Styles
Thomas Cappleman
James Laverty
Graeme Cole
Julie McCarthy
Stewart Gordon
Gevin Chipper
Rob Foster
Mike Brown
Jayne Wisniewski
Callum Pickering
Jerry Humphreys
Mark Mills
Tracey Mills
Matthew Brockwell
Tony Atkins
Oli Moore
Rosie St. Cyr

Expectorant Observers (2):
Jen Steadman
Adam Gillard

Ciaran McCarthy · Post by **Ciaran McCarthy** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 6:50 pm

I'M IN

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 10:37 am

Now got our first 2 contestants, our host Rob Gibney, and Dave Noble.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:21 pm

Karen Pearson has put her name down on the list, and while we're still only on 3, there are still 9 weeks to go, so if you don't fancy going to either event in the bank holidays, this is the one for you!!

Also, in case you don't know, there is now a new Premier Inn hotel right in the middle of St. Albans, just a quarter of a mile from the club, which is right next to St. Albans City station.

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/STAP ... ity-centre

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 3:30 pm

Almost certainly in.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue May 05, 2015 9:11 pm

Along with Mark Murray, Jeff has managed to bring over a trio of French contestants for our tournament, making our total a magnificent 7 for now.......

Adam Gillard · Post by **Adam Gillard** » Wed May 06, 2015 5:31 pm

James Robinson wrote:Along with Mark Murray, Jeff has managed to bring over a trio of French contestants for our tournament, making our total a magnificent 7 for now.......

Encore tricolore!

szodiac · Post by **szodiac** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:09 pm

Natasha, Jessica and I will be available to play. [Will double check with James first]

Mauro

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:04 pm

You can put me down as an interested. It's a pity it starts so early - otherwise I could have done the St Albans parkrun first!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sat May 09, 2015 10:32 pm

szodiac wrote:Natasha, Jessica and I will be available to play. [Will double check with James first]

Mauro

You're all in, that makes it 10.

Gavin Chipper wrote:You can put me down as an interested. It's a pity it starts so early - otherwise I could have done the St Albans parkrun first!

Lol, nice idea, I've put you on the maybes regardless, Gevin.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon May 11, 2015 9:23 pm

The Worsleys are in, now a dozen up!!!

Adam Dexter · Post by **Adam Dexter** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:59 pm

In

If anyone is anywhere near St Albans Abbey about 9:15, I'd be much appreciative of a lift... stupid train for me doesn't link to St Al City :/

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu May 21, 2015 9:12 pm

Last year's runner-up, Callum Todd has signed up, taking it upto 15.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue May 26, 2015 9:35 am

The Styleses and Thomas Cappleman have joined us, so we're now going strong at 19.

Jennifer Steadman · Post by **Jennifer Steadman** » Tue May 26, 2015 4:33 pm

Might come and spec for a bit before I go and see Queen Taytay.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue May 26, 2015 7:01 pm

Jennifer Steadman wrote:Might come and spec for a bit before I go and see Queen Taytay.

Perfectly fine, Jen. No worries about that.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:01 pm

Now upto 20 thanks to James Laverty. JUST UNDER 19 DAYS TO GO NOW!!!

Stewart Gordon · Post by **Stewart Gordon** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:13 pm

I'm in!

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:27 pm

I'm also in. I'm probably going to stay on the Friday night. Where are other people staying? Premier Inn looks good to me. Can't say no to a buffet breakfast.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:00 pm

Definitely in...

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 12:30 am

Mike Brown wrote:Definitely in...

So Jeff has told me.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 6:54 am

Jayne Wisniewski makes it 27.

Just TEN DAYS to go now!!

By the way, if anyone has any dietary requirements for the buffet, please let us know ASAP, so we can sort you out.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:52 am

James Robinson wrote:Jayne Wisniewski makes it 27.

Just TEN DAYS to go now!!

By the way, if anyone has any dietary requirements for the buffet, please let us know ASAP, so we can sort you out.

Did you get my message about being vegetarian?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:29 am

Gavin Chipper wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Jayne Wisniewski makes it 27.

Just TEN DAYS to go now!!

By the way, if anyone has any dietary requirements for the buffet, please let us know ASAP, so we can sort you out.
Did you get my message about being vegetarian?

Yes, I did, Gevin.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:26 pm

I'm considering staying in the Premier Inn on the Friday and Saturday nights. Is anyone else doing this? I take it people are staying out late on Saturday?

Heather Styles · Post by **Heather Styles** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:31 am

I'm going there and back on the day - no Premier Inn breakfast

Not sure whether or not going out after event.

Phyl Styles · Post by **Phyl Styles** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:10 pm

Jen being expectant is a bit of a shock, but Adam too?

Matt Bayfield · Post by **Matt Bayfield** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:37 pm

Clearly a typo for "Expectorant". Jen and Adam will be providing players with covert Tecwen Whittock-style assistance... *cough*

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:14 pm

Matt Bayfield wrote:Clearly a typo for "Expectorant". Jen and Adam will be providing players with covert Tecwen Whittock-style assistance... *cough*

Hehe, sorted out. :p

Now upto 31 thanks to a pair of Mills.

Mark Mills · Post by **Mark Mills** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:37 pm

I will be there to hold everyone else up in the groups..

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:04 am

31 players signed up now, but for all those people who still want to join us in St Albans on Saturday, we require all payments by close of play tomorrow, so we can sort out food, table, drinking arrangements, etc.

So, I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, if you're coming, and if not, why not

Matthew Brockwell · Post by **Matthew Brockwell** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:04 am

I'm in! (payment recently sent to James)

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:59 am

Anyway I'm definitely going to be around on Friday and Saturday nights so if anyone wants to hang out, let me know!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:14 am

Oli Moore has made it 34, but don't forget that all those of you who haven't signed up have until tonight to book your place at the event.

I'll be around St Albans on Friday night, so if anyone who is coming down then wants to meet up, that would be great.

Tracey Anne Mills · Post by **Tracey Anne Mills** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:55 pm

OH YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracey Anne Mills · Post by **Tracey Anne Mills** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:56 pm

James Robinson wrote:
Matt Bayfield wrote:Clearly a typo for "Expectorant". Jen and Adam will be providing players with covert Tecwen Whittock-style assistance... *cough*
Hehe, sorted out. :p

Now upto 31 thanks to a pair of Mills.

No Googoling it

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:16 am

So, we've finished up with 35 players.

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

We'll also be officially launching COHUD 2015 as well tomorrow, so more on that after the event.

Tony Atkins · Post by **Tony Atkins** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:23 pm

Thanks to James and Jeff for running yet another professionallly run event.

Congratulations to Matthew Brockwell for winning the final 96-91 against Tom Cappleman.

Other results:
A group: 3rd Callum Todd, 4th Jack Worsley, 5th Rob Foster, 6th Graeme Cole, 7th Tony Atkins, 8th Adam Dexter
B group: 1st Mike Brown, 2nd Callum Pickering
C group: 1st Eddy Byrne, 2nd Jerry Humphreys
D group: 1st Phyl Styles, 2nd Alan Styles
Special prizes to the three players from France.

Adam Gillard · Post by **Adam Gillard** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:34 pm

Thanks to Jeff and James, very well run as ever!

Congratulations to Matthew, who drank milk and played Countdown. He finished his milk before the final and that was what gave him the edge over Tom in the end.

Mark Mills · Post by **Mark Mills** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:22 am

My first time taking part, really enjoyed it, well run so thanks James and Jeff, well done to Matthew and Thomas for the final, I was happy to win a game and get a nine on top, made my day.

Tracey Anne Mills · Post by **Tracey Anne Mills** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:22 am

Amazing day and very enjoyable tourney, very well run by Jeff and James, congratulations to Thomas Cappleman (runner up) and Matthew Brockwell ( winner )for an entertaining final and the battle of maths genuises

happy with my finish and hoping for more of the same next year.

Jack Worsley · Post by **Jack Worsley** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:57 am

Brilliant event once again, thanks to James, Jeff and Rob for making it all possible! Congratulations to Matthew on a well-deserved victory. Playing at an event is a different challenge for a lot of people, so do win only your second with a strong field to contend with is an impressive achievement. Hope to see you at more in the future.

I'd like to give a special mention to Tom Cappleman for the moment of fantastic sportsmanship he showed in our semi-final. I was slightly ahead going into the crucial conundrum and he buzzed straight away with the correct answer, but was quick to admit to having seen it earlier. He could easily have said nothing with so much at stake and no one would have known. I would have been happy for the result to have stood if neither of us had seen the conundrum. Because of this gesture, I wasn't too disappointed when he just beat me to the second conundrum. Well done to Tom for being a gallant runner-up in an entertaining final.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:55 pm

Jack Worsley wrote:Brilliant event once again, thanks to James, Jeff and Rob for making it all possible! Congratulations to Matthew on a well-deserved victory. Playing at an event is a different challenge for a lot of people, so do win only your second with a strong field to contend with is an impressive achievement. Hope to see you at more in the future.

Cheers, Jack. And thanks again to everyone who turned up yesterday. Getting 36 players (including Jen, who kindly agreed to play in the morning session to help us with evening out the numbers) there is absolutely fantastic, and the quality was absolutely top drawer. Big congrats again to Matthew for winning, and for Tom to being a gallant runner-up.

Jack Worsley wrote:I'd like to give a special mention to Tom Cappleman for the moment of fantastic sportsmanship he showed in our semi-final. I was slightly ahead going into the crucial conundrum and he buzzed straight away with the correct answer, but was quick to admit to having seen it earlier. He could easily have said nothing with so much at stake and no one would have known. I would have been happy for the result to have stood if neither of us had seen the conundrum. Because of this gesture, I wasn't too disappointed when he just beat me to the second conundrum. Well done to Tom for being a gallant runner-up in an entertaining final.

Just to put it into context for those of you who weren't there, just before the conundrum in the semi-final, Jeff accidentally revealed the slide which showed the answer (FORTYFORE

OFFERTORY), which some but not all who were there saw the scramble or answer or both come up, so because of the unintentional slip-up, we offered everyone the chance to redo the conundrum if they thought it was necessary, and if both parties were agreed to it.

Graeme Cole · Post by **Graeme Cole** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 2:40 pm

Jack Worsley wrote: I'd like to give a special mention to Tom Cappleman for the moment of fantastic sportsmanship he showed in our semi-final. I was slightly ahead going into the crucial conundrum and he buzzed straight away with the correct answer, but was quick to admit to having seen it earlier. He could easily have said nothing with so much at stake and no one would have known. I would have been happy for the result to have stood if neither of us had seen the conundrum. Because of this gesture, I wasn't too disappointed when he just beat me to the second conundrum. Well done to Tom for being a gallant runner-up in an entertaining final.

There was a similar act of sportsmanship shown by my opponent Tony Atkins in that game. Before the conundrum, I was two points behind. Then as Jeff was selecting the conundrum, I (and possibly Tony) glimpsed the scramble but not the answer. When the round started properly and FORTYFORE was shown, I had no idea what the answer was, but I buzzed on 29 seconds with OFFERTORY, that being the only vaguely plausible thing I could think of. This random stab in the dark gave me a lucky win.

When James announced that they were going to redo the conundrum for anyone whose game was affected by the mistake, I said to Tony that I'd seen FORTYFORE when it was shown accidentally. I was ready to redo the conundrum but Tony insisted that our result should stand as the mistake hadn't affected anything in our game.

These incidents remind us that good sportsmanship at our events isn't rare or unusual - it's the standard method.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 11:37 pm

I really enjoyed this event - it was very well run, and as well as seeing a lot of familiar faces, I met some great new people as well including Eddy Byrne and Dave Noble. Eddy's running a CO-event in Dublin later this year, and having met him, I'm pretty sure it will be pretty good. He also looks a bit like Innis Carson and has similar mannerisms. So there's a lot good about him.