Results Information   See results

Congratulations to Steve Randall. After numerous podium finishes, including two earlier this year, he finally makes it to the top of the pile! It must be a brilliant feeling!
 
Tim Moorey snatches 2nd spot – also choosing BRAVURA – with some neatly constructed wordplay.
 
Simon Shaw takes 3rd place with a cleverly simple &lit. for FAVUS.
 
Two entrants tied for 4th – Tom Borland chose DEJA VU (the first thing that came to my mind when setting the competition) and constructed a convincing surface. David Harry unearthed one of the more obscure options with A VUESTRA SALUD and managed a very short and snappy clue to it!
 
Well done to everyone and thank you for the wonderful range of words you chose to clue!
>
>
>
2016 ANNUAL COMPETITION
 
Luciano Ward already had the Annual Prize sewn up before the final competition of the year, and with his 3 wins and 2 other podium finishes ended up 6 points clear of the field – very well done indeed Luciano!
 
Dave Parfitt was in 2nd place with what was an amazing record. No wins, but 6 podium placings and only once in the whole year did he finish outside the top 10! Fantastic consistency!
 
Tom Borland just pipped John Tozer for 3rd spot and Margaret Irvine took 5th place. All three had 1 win and 3 podiums so it was no surprise that they were so close together for 3rd-5th.
 
Many thanks to all entrants for your support throughout 2015 – and the very best of luck to everyone for 2016 – Luciano's there for you to aim at now!

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Tuesday 19th January.
 
Please award FIVE points maximum to the clue you judge best: FOUR points for second, THREE for third, TWO for fourth, down to ONE point for fifth; but otherwise you may distribute your votes as you see fit including ½ marks for split voting – as long as you award no more than 15 points IN TOTAL and no more than 5 points to any one clue…
 
…and of course you may NOT VOTE for your own clue!
 
COMMENTS:
 
Your comments in general and on individual clues, however much or little you write, are always most welcome! Please remember that if any particular clue or clues do not find favour with you, it is more helpful to offer constructive criticism – many of our members are keen to learn and hone their clue writing skills through our competition – feedback may be useful for their future efforts!

Entry Information

This year's Christmas Special competition for you to enjoy is the latest in our irregular festive series based on the "12 Days of Christmas" song (see the Partridge in a Pear Tree competition of 2011!).
 
Your Yuletide task is a STANDARD CRYPTIC CLUE to any word, or phrase, that contains the three-letter sequence AVU [i.e. 5 = V has gold (Au) ringing it!] anywhere along its length.
 
So examples like AVULSION, BRAVURA, SHAVUOT and CHAVUTTI THIRUMAL spring to mind! PLEASE INDICATE YOUR CHOSEN CLUE WORD IN THE EXPLANATION OF YOUR CLUE.
 
REMEMBER: your chosen clue word MUST contain the sequence AVU contiguously.
 
The closing date for entries is MIDNIGHT GMT THURSDAY 31st DECEMBER.
 
Remember that whilst you are composing (and pondering) your clue effort, the entry interface allows you to "Save but don't submit". But even if you "Submit this clue" you are still able to amend – or even retract – your entry right up until the end.

BUT DON'T FORGET TO CLICK THE "SUBMIT THIS CLUE" BUTTON BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE!
 
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL COMPETITORS AND JUDGES!!