c4countdown

So, now that the horse racing is done, it's time to get back to the real action, and the final stages of Series 74.

Having been in the audience for these matches, along with a good lot of other high-profile Apterites, I can tell you that you're in for a treat this week

First up today, is the 3rd quarter-final to see who will play Robin in Thursday's 2nd semi-final. We have the #3 seed, Ann "The Haselmere Hazard" Dibben, who should've been taking on the #6 seed, Dave Costello, but somehow, Dave's tiebreak conundrum points have been added to his score, which sees him go into the #5 slot, so Ann will instead be playing Tim "The Leamington Spa Lancer" Down.

Statistics Corner:

Firstly, No.3 Seed Ann "The Haslemere Hazard" Dibben - 8 Wins, 884 Points. (Average: 110.5)
Highest Score: 128 vs. Nick Ferguson (8th Game)
Lowest Score: 99 vs. John Billitteri (3rd Game)
9's Achieved: 6/9
Total Points/Max/%: 884/1069 (83%)
Letters Points/Max/%: 567/678 (84%)
Numbers Points/Max/%: 257/311 (83%)
Conundrum Points/Max/%: 60/80 (75%)

Secondly, No.6 Seed Tim "The Leamington Spa Lancer" Down - 8 Wins, 717 Points. (Average: 89.63)
Highest Score: 105 vs. Colin Tuite (8th Game)
Lowest Score: 78 vs. Nicholas Birks (2nd Game) and David E Coote (7th Game)
9's Achieved: 1/5
Total Points/Max/%: 717/1047 (68%)
Letters Points/Max/%: 444/647 (69%)
Numbers Points/Max/%: 243/320 (76%)
Conundrum Points/Max/%: 30/80 (38%)

We also welcome back Dr Phil Hammond in DC for the duration of the week.

Join Sean later on for the recap.

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS

Superb game, best of the series so far. Very well done both

Cracking game - well done to both.

Which of the apterites/forumites in the audience shouted "yes" on the conundrum solve? Mr R possibly?

Anyone get the beaters in R4 and R5?

I... I am speechless. This was what a member of the forum once referred to as "liquid Countdown". An almighty Apto-battle on the big screen. Congratulations to Ann and very unlucky to Tim on being 1.25 seconds away from advancing.

Tony Atkins wrote:Anyone get the beaters in R4 and R5?

Is this a trick question? There weren't any.

I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it?

Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final ever!

Gavin Chipper wrote:I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it?

Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final ever!

He used his slots all week to support junior doctors. I wouldn't be surprised if most or all of them are cut.

James Robinson wrote: Secondly, No.6 Seed Tim "The Leamington Spa Lancer" Down - 8 Wins, 717 Points. (Average: 89.63)

I initially misread this as "The Leamington Lap Dancer". Also, not Tim "The Count" Down??

James Robinson wrote: Conundrum Points/Max/%: 20/80 (25%)

I've tried to let this go and I'll probably wish I hadn't posted this but... I got three conundrums during my run. Still not great, I admit.

Tim Down wrote:

Gavin Chipper wrote:I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it?

Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final ever!

He used his slots all week to support junior doctors. I wouldn't be surprised if most or all of them are cut.

When I saw the one from today especially, I thought it was very overtly political and was surprised they let him say that stuff. Even though it was a really excellent piece and very well delivered as usual from him.

Just finished watching this game. That was possibly one of the best games in ages!! Ann made a brave decision and did an excellent conundrum solve. Tim was on brilliant form too! Huge congratulations for Ann and very bad luck to Tim. There was some excellent team spirit there too!

Tim Down wrote:

James Robinson wrote: Secondly, No.6 Seed Tim "The Leamington Spa Lancer" Down - 8 Wins, 717 Points. (Average: 89.63)

I initially misread this as "The Leamington Lap Dancer". Also, not Tim "The Count" Down??

James Robinson wrote: Conundrum Points/Max/%: 20/80 (25%)

I've tried to let this go and I'll probably wish I hadn't posted this but... I got three conundrums during my run. Still not great, I admit.

Just altered it now. Doing these things at midnight can make you miss things...

Tony Atkins wrote:Cracking game - well done to both.

Which of the apterites/forumites in the audience shouted "yes" on the conundrum solve? Mr R possibly?

I think it was, I do remember me doing what I usually do when I watch it at home and quietly did the countdown from 10 seconds quietly and once I saw Ann's face when she buzzed, I knew she got it.

All of us in the Apterites row just celebrated there and then, although mine was clearly the most audible.

It was an absolute pleasure to be there, and I certainly still maintain it to be the best series quarterfinal EVER

Someone has probably built a database that can answer this question: After this week, Dr. Phil will have made 111 appearances in Dictionary Corner. Will he be the DC guest with the second-highest number of appearances (behind Gyles Brandreth)?

Johnny Canuck wrote:Someone has probably built a database that can answer this question: After this week, Dr. Phil will have made 111 appearances in Dictionary Corner. Will he be the DC guest with the second-highest number of appearances (behind Gyles Brandreth)?

Richard Stilgoe has 239 (including 5 specials), Nigel Rees has 184, Philip Franks has 176, Richard Digance has 168, Geoffrey Durham has 165 (including 5 specials), Martin Jarvis has 152, Jan Harvey has 134, Tom O'Connor has 121, Bill Tidy has 117.

So, that makes Dr Phil 11th in my books.

Tim Down wrote:

Gavin Chipper wrote:I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it?

Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final ever!

He used his slots all week to support junior doctors. I wouldn't be surprised if most or all of them are cut.

Looks like I totally misremembered this.

Incredible game and a real testament to Ann's mental strength to come through this and get the conundrum. I instantly regretted being in the local Salford department store for the morning and missing this classic...

Tim also showed how incredibly well he'd come on from his octorun to push Ann so hard and come within 2 seconds of the win.