C1: Champion Joe Dobinson (6 wins, 591 points.)
C2: Challenger Michael Nicholson.
DC: Susie Dent and Bobby Seagull .
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: G R F U E U L R E
R02: A U E T K V L O B
R03: 75, 25, 3, 4, 5, 1. Target: 903.
TTT: PATHOGEN - "Think brides, then think sides."
R04: A I O R B W C A G
R05: R Y N O A O G U R
R06: 3, 9, 1, 4, 5, 3. Target: 926.
R07: S N S I E A T O S
R08: A O I F M X P T T
R09: 100, 25, 3, 7, 2, 8. Target: 835.
TTT: ICEGALES - "They're often left behind, but never forgotten."
R10: O E I D N S D E S
R11: M N R I A E D I J
R12: E I E C H S P A R
R13: S T N I E O L I Q
R14: 3, 2, 7, 4, 9, 1. Target: 628.
R15: N I C E S O C K S (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Round 1: G R F U E U L R E
Joe: REFUEL (6)
Michael: REFUEL (6)
DC: REFUEL (6) REFUGE (6) FERRULE (7)
Score: 6–6 (max 7)
6s all round.....but DC spot the only 7 Ferrule
Round 2: A U E T K V L O B
Joe: ABLUTE (6)
Michael: BLOAT (5)
DC: OVULATE (7) VOTABLE (7)
OT: BAKEOUT (7)
Score: 12–6 (max 14)
Round 3: 75, 25, 3, 4, 5, 1. Target: 903.
Joe: 903. (75 + 25) × (4 + 5) + 3 (10)
Michael: 903. (75 + 25) × (4 + 5) + 3 (10)
Score: 22–16 (max 24)
ENOUGH SAID !!!!
Teatime teaser: PATHOGEN -> HEPTAGON
Round 4: A I O R B W C A G
Joe: AIRBAG (6)
Michael: CARGO (5)
DC: BIOWAR (6) AGARIC (6)
OT: CABRIO (6) ORGIAC (6) WARAGI (6)
Score: 28–16 (max 30)
Lots of 6s........need I say more !!!
Round 5: R Y N O A O G U R
Joe: groany
Michael: GROAN (5)
DC: ANGRY (5) ORANGY (6)
OT: ORGANRY (7)
Score: 28–21 (max 37)
Round 6: 3, 9, 1, 4, 5, 3. Target: 926.
Joe: -
Michael: -
RR: 924. (9 × 5 − 1) × (3 + 4) × 3 (7)
Score: 28–21 (max 44)
Not easiest of 6s but Rachel says that 924 is as good as it gets
Round 7: S N S I E A T O S
Joe: ATONIES (7)
Michael: SEASONS (7)
DC: NOSIEST (7)
OT: SESTINAS (8) SONSIEST (8) SOSATIES (8) STENOSIS (8)
Score: 35–28 (max 52)
7s all round....but there is a fair few 8s ignored by all
Round 8: A O I F M X P T T
Joe: PATIO (5)
Michael: AXIOM (5)
DC: OPTIMA (6)
OT: MIPAFOX (7)
Score: 40–33 (max 59)
Round 9: 100, 25, 3, 7, 2, 8. Target: 835.
Joe: 835. 8 × 100 + 25 + 7 + 3 (10)
Michael: 835. 8 × 100 + 25 + 7 + 3 (10)
Score: 50–43 (max 69)
Not too taxing this solve !!!
Teatime teaser: ICEGALES -> LEGACIES
Round 10: O E I D N S D E S
Joe: onsides
Michael: INDEED (6)
DC: onsides ODDNESS (7)
OT: NEDDIES (7) NODDEES (7) NODDIES (7) ONESIES (7) SODDENS (7)
Score: 50–49 (max 76)
Round 11: M N R I A E D I J
Joe: RAINED (6)
Michael: MARINE (6)
DC: REMAIN (6) DIAMINE (7)
OT: MERIDIAN (8)
Score: 56–55 (max 84)
6s all round from our contestants.....there was one 8 that was ignored by all Meridian which I spotted !
Round 12: E I E C H S P A R
Joe: PREACHES (8)
Michael: PEACHIER (8)
OT: EPARCHIES (18)
Score: 64–63 (max 102)
8s all round from our Champion and Challenger.......but there was an interesting 9 ignored by all EPARCHIES
Round 13: S T N I E O L I Q
Joe: LIONISE (7)
Michael: ENLIST (6)
DC: OILIEST (7) LINTIES (7)
OT: ELISION (7) ENTISOL (7) ISOLINE (7) LINIEST (7) ONLIEST (7)
Score: 71–63 (max 109)
Lot's of 7s......but this contest still remains on a knife edge !
Round 14: 3, 2, 7, 4, 9, 1. Target: 628.
Joe: 627. 9 × 7 × (4 + 1) × 2 − 3 (7)
Michael: 629. 7 × 9 × (2 × 3 + 4) − 1 (7)
Score: 78–70 (max 116)
Another nasty 6s but Rachel says that 1 away is the best solution.......this sets us up nicely for a crucial conundrum
Round 15: N I C E S O C K S
Joe buzzes on 2.25 seconds to say COCKINESS which is correct.
Final Score: 88–70 (max 126)
A great contest that could of gone either way........Michael was rather unforunate to run into Joe. Joe is one step closer to octo-champ glory tune into the show tomorrow to see if he can bag his 8th win.
Dedicated to the memory of David Barnard 1991-2022