Article published in the February Maldon Life Magazine

Well the January quiz went off with a bang with all nine teams present keen to start the New Year of 2020 with a good performance and show Kevin how much some of them had been swatting up since November. Did it all go to plan? If you follow this column you probably know.

First round as usual was a general knowledge round. Only one team scored maximum points and that was “penultimately number 9”. “The good neighbours” however, playing their joker moved into an early lead with 18 points and another 5 teams scored 9 points too! The lowest score was 6 earned by the team” Younger Achievers” but with an average age, far less than the rest of the room and age weighted questions that was still a good score.

Round two however saw things fall apart for well, pretty much everyone. Kevin likes to test us from time to time and this was one of them. You had to list the 10 most populated cities/towns in Scotland. Easy? NO! Maximum score was 5, but no one scored less than a 4 so all was not lost.

Round 3 was a really strange round where all the answers had to start with the letter T. “ Easy “ three teams thought, we’ll play our jokers, because that’s a great clue. WRONG! Those teams were “All fired up, Underachievers and Penultimately number 9”. “All fired up” got a home run with maximum points doubled. Underachievers scored a home goal with just 6 points doubled. (An early start to their demise!) Penultimately scored slightly better with 14 points earned.

So how would round 4 treat us? It was a 5 and 5 round. Name the five most populated countries in the world and 5 star signs with just three vowels in. Not as easy as it sounds! Not one team managed maximum points but ‘Late Again’ playing their joker dropped just one point earning them 18 points and three other teams scored 9 too.

So with sheets handed in for marking here’s how things stood for the top three teams so far.

In first place were “All fired up on 43 points ( out of a possible 50) “Late Again” were in second place just 1 point behind, and in third place were “Good Neighbours” a little adrift on 38. The Younger achievers were however bringing up the rear at this stage on just 26 points but no joker played.

Having eaten some of our goodies during the first break we settled back down for round 5 which was mainly about Films and TV. Just one team scored a 10 that was “All fired up”. They clearly were, lowest score was a 4 by “Weekenders” but “Clones” entering the fray scored a 9 whilst playing their joker. Not bad at all!

Round 6 was based on Foods, Kevin gave us letters and numbers and you had to work out popular or well known meals. Not as easy as it sounds! Or maybe it was as 7 teams scored maximum points and Young achievers playing their joker, propelled themselves up the table.

Round 7 was all about the events making up the decathlon. Three teams scored maximum “Clones” “All fired up”and “Weekenders. Didn’t they do well? With papers up for marking again it was time for raffle ticket sales and some more food and drink to feed and oil the brain. In 1st place remained “All fired up” on 73 points, still only 7 points dropped. Late again were still in second place joined by

“Clones” on the same number of 66 points.

Round 8 was a homophone clue round involving places in the UK. 7 teams were on the ball scoring maximum points, two playing their joker, “Weekenders and Forever Hopeful” and the remaining three just dropped a point so all did extremely well here.

Round 9 was about boroughs in London commencing with letters L-Z only. Now we were sorting everyone out and with scores ranging from 6 to 10 some were definitely challenged. Only three teams scored maximum points being “All fired up” “Forever Hopeful” and “Younger Achievers”.

So the final round another General Knowledge section was all important and yet not one team managed a perfect score. However 5 teams managed 9 points so would it be tight at the final countdown? In a word NO!

Winners as you’ve probably guessed were the terrific”All fired up”. Dropping just 9

Points out of a possible 110 they were truly worthy winners and streets ahead of the opposition. In second place came “Weekenders” on 95 points another excellent score. Third place went to “Forever Hopeful” who had every reason to be, earning 94 points. Fourth place went to the youngest team ‘Young Achievers’ with a superb performance earning them 91 points. I’m tipping them for future winners and they were aptly named. Fifth place went to “Clones, Late Again and Penultimately number 9” with a respectable 90 points. So in 8th place and 85 points placed “Good Neighbours”. In last place came yes; yours truly and the Underachievers, living up to our name and earning just 82 points out of a possible 110. We didn’t play our joker well in fact we didn’t do that well at all. We had a great time though!

Think you could give it a go? Our next quiz is on Saturday 14th March. Come along and give it a go.

Meanwhile there is plenty going on at the Centre. Don’t forget our Local Councillor, Flo Shaughnessy holds a regular Saturday Surgery in the Jubilee Lounge here at the Centre on the first Saturday of each month. If you fancy improving your Italian language skills then see the website for contact details. Or perhaps you fancy trying Judo? Saturday mornings see adult and youth sessions with the Blackwater Judo club. See their website or facebook for details. Www.blackwaterjudoclub.co.uk

Alternatively checkout our website to see the wide choice of activities and hobbies available at the centre. Www.westmaldoncommunity centre.co.uk