CCCWC November competition voters’ comments
Clue no. 26: Rile M. Daw? Breaking this might do
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A clue to WILD MARE.
3 comments refer to this clue (from 3 competitors, 0 others)
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| Comments on the competition |
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| 1. |
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I thought clue 26 was a clear winner, succinct and witty, 5 points. Clue 11 is a clever &lit. based on the other meaning of WILD MARE, 4 points. Clue 32 is a little bit stretched, but just about holds together , 3 points. Clue 8 isn't quite as pithy as 11, but works pretty well; 2 points. I struggled to award the last point, but in the end went for the faintly outrageous clue 35.
Overall, I thought the standard was lower than for DOOLALLY, which perhaps reflects the limited scope for oblique definitions. |
| 2. |
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| This seems to have been tough, and I haven't given any clue more than 3 points. The many possible definitions make voting tricky. 30 is ingenious, but the surface reading doesn't make much sense, and Boris -> mayor -> mare is a bit of a stretch. Similarly 15's he -> male -> mail as anagram fodder. I'm doubtful about the intended homophone in 10. I'm afraid I can't see what 44 is getting at. I feel 26 doesn't quite work. 3 is amusing, but it could do with a definition as well. 41 is cleverly constructed, although a bit laboured. I feel this and 19 are about the best, although "with unwanted war" doesn't convince. |
| 3. |
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| Not very many strong candidates for the points this month – too many unconvincing surfaces, inadequate definitions and examples of iffy wordplay – but a small handful of good and very good ones, among which 26 (5 points) stood out. The very similar and otherwise accomplished 8 (2.5 points) suffered from the artificiality of the archaism "rime". 11 (4 points) was a neat &lit. 19 (2.5)and 32 (1 point), my other two selections for points, both exploited good ideas (whether or not you agree with "lie" in 19!), but WILD MARE ought really, I think, to have been defined in terms of one of the meanings given in the dictionary rather than as a random phrase. I can, however, well understand the temptation to go with the ambiguity of "reluctantly saddled" in 19 once that excellent idea had presented itself (which is what got it a higher rating than 32). |
