Results Information   See results

…and so the 2014 competition gets under way – and what a close run start to the year! Some familiar names fill the podium, with last year's 4th placed in the Annual competition, John Appleton, making an early bid for this year's contest and squeezing home by just one point! Well deserved for an inventive clue.
 
The unlucky runner up was David Harry with another entertaining anagram – tough luck David, but still an excellent effort.
 
Richard Saunders was only 2.5 points back in third with his clue that had an ingenious and apposite surface reading.

Last year's Annual winner, Mike Baker, makes his intentions clear for this campaign, securing 4th spot, just 3 points further adrift – he could be the one to beat yet again!
 
Final podium place, again just 3 points back, went to John Tozer's clue which cleverly threw the scent away from the famous detective.
 
Well done to all for an excellent start to 2014! Good luck for the rest of the year.
 
Incidentally, I was inspired to choose the clue word whilst watching an episode of the recent excellent Sherlock series. I completely overlooked the fact that I had set you SHERLOCK in a previous competition! – but it was back in February 2011!

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Sunday 16th February.
 
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

…and so to a new year – the slate is clean, and now is your chance to shine in 2014!
 
The first challenge for this year is a STANDARD CRYPTIC clue to HOLMESIAN(9) by the closing date of MIDNIGHT GMT FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY.

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!

Our primary reference is The Chambers Dictionary 12th Edition (2011), but you may, if you wish, use another dictionary or source, BUT PLEASE STATE SO IN YOUR CLUE'S EXPLANATION.