| Comments on the competition |
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| 1. |
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| A very good set of clues, I thought, with a nice diversity of approach. 5 points for clue 28, one of the simpler efforts here but all the better for that and with a faultless surface. Clue 57, to which I gave 4 points, is at the other end of the scale in complexity – very ingenious. I gave 3 points to clue 36 for a neat topical reference. 2 points for clue 40, a very neat substitution of G for C with, again, a faultless surface. I didn't find any of the Viagra clues completely convincing but thought clue 52 was the best of these and awarded it 1 point. |
| 2. |
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| One could see a history of one's own thoughts in the variety of clues on offer, many of which barely reached beyond the very dull, but I scraped together five reasonable clues in the end. |
| 3. |
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| I thought the how/grave spot 25 merited top billing, and the author of 57 deserves congratulations for attempting (and succeeding with) a subtractive anagram when so many other possibilities suggested themselves. I was less struck by the Viagra-based entries, I'm afraid, and some of the forename identifiers stretch fairness, as is demonstrated by the use of Steve, Michael and Vanessa to give Redgrave. There has to be a uniqueness within public consciousness for this to work well, surely (and the fact that I was going to instance Elvis before Costello came to mind shows the difficulty involved). The Al/Gore substitution seems to hsve gained currency – I don't like it much. |
| 4. |
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| Most of my points went to three clues with the amusing Viagra theme, but for me they were all slightly flawed in some way so I awarded 3 points each. As a hidden indicator I have always regarded 'some' as a bit weak and ungrammatical. I know it's regularly used, but surely 'some of' is more correct? I would gave given34 top marks had it been expressed " A dose from Viagra vendor the last resort for a stiff 'un?". In 52, I'm unconvinced by 'capsule' ( a small container) as a definition, and 55 would have been improved if 'holds' had been used instead of 'has'. |
| 5. |
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Points to:
5: 36 – Obviously topical, so perhaps wouldn't be as good at another time, but nonetheless inventive.
4: 37 – Concise, with a lovely surface.
3: 50 – Again, a nice surface, but seems a little less smooth than the above.
2: 13 – The best of the definition only clues, I thought.
1: 23 – I like the juxtaposition of Greek and Roman imagery.
Must give a mention to 22, 21 and 50 as well, though – all good surfaces. |
| 6. |
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A clue-word with numerous meanings and offering a wide range of potential approaches. There were fewer instances of unsoundness than usual and a fair number of perfectly acceptable clues. In awarding points, I gave precedence to clues offering originality of approach (especially with respect to the definition), clever wordplay and, as always, a convincing and satisfying surface.
3 points each to:
25 Although, strictly speaking, this clue is flawed by its failure to indicate that, in these senses, “how” is dialect and “sad” archaic, it is so neat that I am prepared to overlook that.
38 A cleverly hidden definition and sound word play contributing to a convincing (and arguably topical) surface.
57 An admirably succinct composite anagram offering a very clever double definition. Whether it is an &lit in the normally accepted sense of the term is arguable, however.
2 points each to:
36 At the time of writing (7 May), it remains to be seen how apposite this clue will turn out to be, but it is tautly constructed and with a convincing topical surface.
40 A well crafted clue with a convincing surface, but there is less sparkle to the definition than in 25, 38 and 57.
1 point to:
31 A good definition appropriate to the surface, but the wordplay in the s.i. is a bit predictable.
0.5 point each to:
13 As economical as 25 and the double definition is entirely sound, but “Death count” is a rather artificial phrase and hardly a recognized alternative to “body count”.
42 Economical with a convincing surface, but grave4 means “in a solemn manner” and “solemn” and “serious”, though associated in meaning, are not quite the same thing |
| 7. |
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| A very good entry with nearly twenty clues vying for points. The best idea was the 'Viagra vendor' etc. hidden word, and 55 combined it with a brilliant definition – the runaway winner for me. 36 is neatly worded and especially topical in the light of the election result. 12 is also topical after Steve Davis's recent short-lived comeback. I liked 13's simple double def. idea that no one else spotted, and 40's original approach and natural surface. Many others would have been contenders but for the strong competition, including 9, 17, 26, 28 and 49. A couple that didn't measure up were 24 (poor grammar and little surface sense) and 30 (I can't accept Oldbury = old bury). |
| 8. |
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| 20 needs wordplay to tell the solver the letters. |
| 9. |
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My favourite here was 36 which was both suitably misleading and topical. In a similar vein, I was also very keen on 38 at first, and cryptically, i think it works very well, but on re-reading it, the surface isn't quite right for me. Why would there be a plot to get rid of a leader who is already late?
My original efforts at this tried to incorporate Viagra and I see that a few did it more successful than myself – 55 was my favourite of these.
Alos, interesting to see another reference to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. Didn't he make it into one of the competitions a couple of months ago?? |
| 10. |
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I couldn't separate the top two, each of which was very good.
1st= (3 points each): 12, 38
3rd= (1.5 points each): 7 (I can't quite convince myself that the definition is OK, but it's very clever), 55 (the best of the Viagra hiddens, this has an excellent definition)
5th= (1 point each): 3, 13, 29, 43, 49, 57 |
