Thursday 2nd December 2010 (Series 63, Prelim 104)
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:58 pm
Welcome to the 2nd half of this week's Robinson Recap. If you need cheering up after the events of the day, may I suggest a nice recap filled with Countdown goodness. 
Enjoy.
Countdown recap for Thursday 2 December 2010.
C1: Champion Greg Hayhurst (5 wins, 469 points.) A 21-year-old from Esher, Surrey. He went to Nottingham University and has a degree in Mathematics with Engineering.
C2: Challenger Denise Smith. A 63-year-old retired English teacher, originally from Hereford. She mainly taught for the blind and visually impaired. She now runs her own B&B.
DC: Susie Dent and John Suchet.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: D V M E E I Q S D
R02: R R S L I E I T A
R03: P F T U E I L B G
R04: S T M L E O E T A
R05: 25, 75, 50, 100, 9, 7. Target: 299.
TTT: NOTRACES - "No traces? There must be one somewhere"
R06: S K F P E I O R W
R07: N C D A I E L R N
R08: R C D M O A O E G
R09: T S R O U I O Y A
R10: 50, 3, 3, 8, 7, 1. Target: 893.
TTT: HIRENEWT - "It connects coffee and tennis shoes"
R11: L N H A E N T P O
R12: N M N T U E U T A
R13: R G S I E U H Z A
R14: 75, 1, 5, 2, 9, 10. Target: 604.
R15: O M O P H E A D S (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Enjoy the show.
Round 1: D V M E E I Q S D
C1: DEMISED (7)
C2: DEVISED (7)
OT: MISDEED (7)
Score: 7–7 (max 7)
Just the 3 7's here, but both contestants make a perfect start to today's proceedings.
Round 2: R R S L I E I T A
C1: REALIST (7)
C2: LAIRIEST (8)
DC: TRAILERS (8)
OT: LISTERIA (8) RARITIES (8) RETIRALS (8) RETRIALS (8)
Score: 7–15 (max 15)
A very good 8 by our challenger, and she takes the early advantage in this one.
Round 3: P F T U E I L B G
C1: FUTILE (6)
C2: PIGLET (6)
OT: GLUTEI (6) PLUTEI (6) UPLIFT (6)
Score: 13–21 (max 21)
Pancake time.
PLUTEI (plural of PLUTEUS) are the free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical larvae of an echinoid (sea urchin) or ophiuroid (brittle and basket stars).
Round 4: S T M L E O E T A
C1: MOTELS (6)
C2: MOTTLES (7)
DC: MATELOTS (8)
OT: MATELOTE (8)
Score: 13–28 (max 29)
Denise may have lost her max game, but her lead goes into double figures and our champion looks like he's in real trouble.
Round 5: 25, 75, 50, 100, 9, 7. Target: 299.
C1: 300. ((9 - 7) x 100) + 75 + 25 (7)
C2: -
RR: 299. ((100 x 75) - (50 / (9 - 7))) / 25 (10)
Score: 20–28 (max 39)
It seems that "desperate times call for desperate measures" (as some chubby youngster once said on this show ) for Greg, as the 4 large numbers are summoned. 1 away seems easy enough, well apart for Denise. But, Rachel astounds us all with a mega sky-high solve. 
Sort of reminds us of the legendary 4 large solve of James Martin all those years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfa3MHLLSWI
John talks about the time he was mistaken for Hercule Poirot, who was of course played by his brother, David, on the telly. He then tells the fact that he almost persuaded David not to take up Poirot. (Thank goodness David didn't listen. )
Teatime teaser: NOTRACES -> ANCESTOR
Round 6: S K F P E I O R W
C1: PORKIES (7)
C2: POWERS (6)
Score: 27–28 (max 46)
Greg's recovery continues with that darrenic 7.
Round 7: N C D A I E L R N
C1: crained
C2: CANNIER (7)
DC: CRANNIED (8)
OT: INLANDER (8)
Score: 27–35 (max 54)
And then derails himself again with that dodgy 7.
Round 8: R C D M O A O E G
C1: GROOMED (7)
C2: GROOMED (7)
DC: MOORAGE (7) CAROMED (7)
OT: COMRADE (7) MERCADO (7) CORDAGE (7)
Score: 34–42 (max 61)
Extra syrup, sugar or lemon anyone,
A MERCADO is simply a Spanish market.
Round 9: T S R O U I O Y A
C1: ROOTS (5)
C2: SUITOR (6)
DC: SAUTOIR (7)
OT: RIOTOUS (7)
Score: 34–48 (max 68)
Is our champion in serious danger of crashing out today
Susie's Origins Of Words carries on with the undergarment theme brought up by "bloomers" yesterday, with the origin of "pants", and the immortal "Countdown" favourite, "leotard".
Round 10: 50, 3, 3, 8, 7, 1. Target: 893.
C1: 893. ((8 - (3 - 1)) x 3 x 50) - 7 (10)
C2: 893. (((3 x 3) + 8 + 1) x 50) - 7 (10)
Score: 44–58 (max 78)
Teatime teaser: HIRENEWT -> WHITENER
Round 11: L N H A E N T P O
C1: hotpan
C2: PHONE (5)
DC: PANTHEON (8)
Score: 44–63 (max 86)
Even though Denise struggles with a 5, Greg can't capitalise as his 6 is presumably only there as 2 words.
Round 12: N M N T U E U T A
C1: MUTANT (6)
C2: UNMEANT (7)
Score: 44–70 (max 93)
That darren means that Denise is almost home and dry now.
Round 13: R G S I E U H Z A
C1: GUSHIER (7)
C2: GUSHIER (7)
DC: HEGIRAS (7)
OT: GAUZIER (7)
Score: 51–77 (max 100)
Both players go for a risky 7. Unfortunately for Greg, it's the same risky 7, meaning that his time on the show is approaching its end.
Round 14: 75, 1, 5, 2, 9, 10. Target: 604.
C1: 604. ((10 - 2) x 75) + 9 - 5 (10)
C2: 604. ((10 - 2) x 75) + 5 - 1 (10)
Score: 61–87 (max 110)
Round 15: O M O P H E A D S
C1 buzzes on 1 second to say SHAMPOOED which is correct.
Final Score: 71–87 (max 120)
Greg does have the final word, but his time is up, and Denise is now the new champion. Greg did do very well in his previous 5 shows, but seemed to come unstuck today against the English teacher.
Also, today's result means that the finals line-up is now complete for the series finals, which start in a week's time.
I'll be back next week with the last preliminary and the first quarter-final.
So, till then, bye bye.
Statistics Corner
Greg:
Total score - 71
Raw score - 95
Total % of max - 59
Raw % of max - 79
Total average score per round - 4.7
Raw average score per round - 6.3
Number of maxes - 8
Denise:
Total score - 87
Raw score - 93
Total % of max - 73
Raw % of max - 78
Total average score per round - 5.8
Raw average score per round - 6.2
Number of maxes - 8
Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=63
Enjoy.
Countdown recap for Thursday 2 December 2010.
C1: Champion Greg Hayhurst (5 wins, 469 points.) A 21-year-old from Esher, Surrey. He went to Nottingham University and has a degree in Mathematics with Engineering.
C2: Challenger Denise Smith. A 63-year-old retired English teacher, originally from Hereford. She mainly taught for the blind and visually impaired. She now runs her own B&B.
DC: Susie Dent and John Suchet.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: D V M E E I Q S D
R02: R R S L I E I T A
R03: P F T U E I L B G
R04: S T M L E O E T A
R05: 25, 75, 50, 100, 9, 7. Target: 299.
TTT: NOTRACES - "No traces? There must be one somewhere"
R06: S K F P E I O R W
R07: N C D A I E L R N
R08: R C D M O A O E G
R09: T S R O U I O Y A
R10: 50, 3, 3, 8, 7, 1. Target: 893.
TTT: HIRENEWT - "It connects coffee and tennis shoes"
R11: L N H A E N T P O
R12: N M N T U E U T A
R13: R G S I E U H Z A
R14: 75, 1, 5, 2, 9, 10. Target: 604.
R15: O M O P H E A D S (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
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SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
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SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Enjoy the show.
Round 1: D V M E E I Q S D
C1: DEMISED (7)
C2: DEVISED (7)
OT: MISDEED (7)
Score: 7–7 (max 7)
Just the 3 7's here, but both contestants make a perfect start to today's proceedings.
Round 2: R R S L I E I T A
C1: REALIST (7)
C2: LAIRIEST (8)
DC: TRAILERS (8)
OT: LISTERIA (8) RARITIES (8) RETIRALS (8) RETRIALS (8)
Score: 7–15 (max 15)
A very good 8 by our challenger, and she takes the early advantage in this one.
Round 3: P F T U E I L B G
C1: FUTILE (6)
C2: PIGLET (6)
OT: GLUTEI (6) PLUTEI (6) UPLIFT (6)
Score: 13–21 (max 21)
Pancake time.
PLUTEI (plural of PLUTEUS) are the free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical larvae of an echinoid (sea urchin) or ophiuroid (brittle and basket stars).
Round 4: S T M L E O E T A
C1: MOTELS (6)
C2: MOTTLES (7)
DC: MATELOTS (8)
OT: MATELOTE (8)
Score: 13–28 (max 29)
Denise may have lost her max game, but her lead goes into double figures and our champion looks like he's in real trouble.
Round 5: 25, 75, 50, 100, 9, 7. Target: 299.
C1: 300. ((9 - 7) x 100) + 75 + 25 (7)
C2: -
RR: 299. ((100 x 75) - (50 / (9 - 7))) / 25 (10)
Score: 20–28 (max 39)
It seems that "desperate times call for desperate measures" (as some chubby youngster once said on this show
) for Greg, as the 4 large numbers are summoned. 1 away seems easy enough, well apart for Denise. But, Rachel astounds us all with a mega sky-high solve. Sort of reminds us of the legendary 4 large solve of James Martin all those years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfa3MHLLSWI
John talks about the time he was mistaken for Hercule Poirot, who was of course played by his brother, David, on the telly. He then tells the fact that he almost persuaded David not to take up Poirot. (Thank goodness David didn't listen.
)Teatime teaser: NOTRACES -> ANCESTOR
Round 6: S K F P E I O R W
C1: PORKIES (7)
C2: POWERS (6)
Score: 27–28 (max 46)
Greg's recovery continues with that darrenic 7.
Round 7: N C D A I E L R N
C1: crained
C2: CANNIER (7)
DC: CRANNIED (8)
OT: INLANDER (8)
Score: 27–35 (max 54)
And then derails himself again with that dodgy 7.
Round 8: R C D M O A O E G
C1: GROOMED (7)
C2: GROOMED (7)
DC: MOORAGE (7) CAROMED (7)
OT: COMRADE (7) MERCADO (7) CORDAGE (7)
Score: 34–42 (max 61)
Extra syrup, sugar or lemon anyone,
A MERCADO is simply a Spanish market.
Round 9: T S R O U I O Y A
C1: ROOTS (5)
C2: SUITOR (6)
DC: SAUTOIR (7)
OT: RIOTOUS (7)
Score: 34–48 (max 68)
Is our champion in serious danger of crashing out today
Susie's Origins Of Words carries on with the undergarment theme brought up by "bloomers" yesterday, with the origin of "pants", and the immortal "Countdown" favourite, "leotard".
Round 10: 50, 3, 3, 8, 7, 1. Target: 893.
C1: 893. ((8 - (3 - 1)) x 3 x 50) - 7 (10)
C2: 893. (((3 x 3) + 8 + 1) x 50) - 7 (10)
Score: 44–58 (max 78)
Teatime teaser: HIRENEWT -> WHITENER
Round 11: L N H A E N T P O
C1: hotpan
C2: PHONE (5)
DC: PANTHEON (8)
Score: 44–63 (max 86)
Even though Denise struggles with a 5, Greg can't capitalise as his 6 is presumably only there as 2 words.
Round 12: N M N T U E U T A
C1: MUTANT (6)
C2: UNMEANT (7)
Score: 44–70 (max 93)
That darren means that Denise is almost home and dry now.
Round 13: R G S I E U H Z A
C1: GUSHIER (7)
C2: GUSHIER (7)
DC: HEGIRAS (7)
OT: GAUZIER (7)
Score: 51–77 (max 100)
Both players go for a risky 7. Unfortunately for Greg, it's the same risky 7, meaning that his time on the show is approaching its end.
Round 14: 75, 1, 5, 2, 9, 10. Target: 604.
C1: 604. ((10 - 2) x 75) + 9 - 5 (10)
C2: 604. ((10 - 2) x 75) + 5 - 1 (10)
Score: 61–87 (max 110)
Round 15: O M O P H E A D S
C1 buzzes on 1 second to say SHAMPOOED which is correct.
Final Score: 71–87 (max 120)
Greg does have the final word, but his time is up, and Denise is now the new champion. Greg did do very well in his previous 5 shows, but seemed to come unstuck today against the English teacher.
Also, today's result means that the finals line-up is now complete for the series finals, which start in a week's time.
I'll be back next week with the last preliminary and the first quarter-final.
So, till then, bye bye.
Statistics Corner
Greg:
Total score - 71
Raw score - 95
Total % of max - 59
Raw % of max - 79
Total average score per round - 4.7
Raw average score per round - 6.3
Number of maxes - 8
Denise:
Total score - 87
Raw score - 93
Total % of max - 73
Raw % of max - 78
Total average score per round - 5.8
Raw average score per round - 6.2
Number of maxes - 8
Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=63