QU12 News 12, September 20^th2007:

Round Six Report: Newport

QU12 2007 round six, was dominated by Mark Labbett, who had the speed knowledge, confidence and psychology to trounce Martyn Dyer, Gwlym Owen, Haley Walters and Rhys Davies. I am sure that given more practice they may have given him more of a game, each one coming out with some great answers (Haley on Ulrika Johnson, Rhys on Chuck Norris) but Mark starred, not dropping a point on the first round and only gambling with surplus in the final two rounds. If you want to see how you might have got on, check out the film at the shows page. Mark Labbett was, however, subsequently disqualified, meaning that Gwilym Owen has won the cash and a place in the final (see 123quiz.net the qu12 thread for details, or click chat in the top bar)

Next Event

Events and numbers QU12 is, by most measurable criteria, the very best quiz I or any of the competitors, have ever been involved with, either at Local, National or TV level (OK the prize money is not quite up there with Millionaire and Come and Have a Go), yet on four of the six events there has not been the full compliment of twelve participants. Generally the number of players is inversely proportionate to distance from that farm in the middle of the M62 on the Pennines, so I guess I am going to have to make a better effort to get some bodies on the buzzers. It is free to enter for amateurs and there is the £100 prize per round, so I can't do much more there, I am happy with the question setting and asking and the films are going in the right direction, so I am asking any potential competitors to please get in contact with me, otherwise I am better of running events in Yorkshire and Lancashire. I love the trips, but I guess it I would also love a dozen competitors. The fixture list is about complete, if you go to Dates, there is a full list of venues Please ring 07814 326 717 if you want in.

Taking the Mick Imagine this situation - Asafa Powell competes in world championship and wins - then is told he must not enter any other races which might be shown on TV, YouTube or even broadcast on radio coverage for ten months. It happens! In one of the QU12 events I was told by the person who wins Mastermind this year that he would love to compete, but is obliged not to, untill the final of Mastermind is screened in March Just consider if the sum total of Powell's public career consisted of two heats and a final, and perhaps a few columns in his local newspaper, and less internet coverage than you get for winning a QU12. And perhaps he was running for a chunk of melted sand as opposed to a 60g chunk of $7.19 million with a bonus (bribe?) of $100,000 for every world record broken. Now I know that quiz may not have the appeal of the fastest man on Earth, but if we, as quiz fans accept the treatment we are given, it is no wonder we are stuck with what we have!

Odds

Finally, my personal assement of the bets I would accept for various quiz players to win this year's QU12.

This list obviously favours people who have already qualified, with Pat being the slight favourite. Pat is not hot favourite, as the nature of this quiz will not allow him free rein. Darren and Peter are both awesome, I know Peter is twice the player he was three years ago and on Liverpool form it seems that Darren has found another gear (I hardly thought he could have improved but I think he has). Despite Mark Labbett's public persona, there are two reasons why he is behind Peter & Darren in that (a) His professed confidence may be fragile as evidenced by his entry as an amateur and (b) His desire to be first, along with his lack of a test in the Newport game may act to his detriment when up against the finalists. I believe that Di and Rob of the remaining qualifiers thus far have a very realistic chance of scooping the prize, and given several chances would convert some of them. Rob, given practice could be a world beater, and Diane, if she gets off to a reasonable start will grow in strength.

The next group are those who are down to play, but have not qualified yet, of which Kevin Ashman is the stand-out competitor. He is evens to win his heat and 4 to one for the final. Chris Curtis, Mike Abbott, Mark Kerr and especially Trevor Montague have learned a great deal from their experience so far. I believe that Trevor, if he has been inspired by his London appearence after years stuck in his books, may just be motivated enough to go out on to the range and regain his authentic swing (see "The Legend of Bagger Vance"). Come on mate. Along with Barry Simmons, who in a strictly academic session would be at the top of the betting, these guys would make a hell of a team.

The remaing field bets are highly speculative, I don't know the form, don't know if they will enter, or in some cases (Andy, Bev, Joy) have never met them. Perhaps the fact that I have included Chris Jones and Jane Allen on this list may alienate some quiz players from QU12, but that is the point of this list, if you believe something to be untrue, place a bet - put your money where your mouth is. If somebody is a hundred to one too enter, ten thousand to one to know more right answers than Pat, Peter, Darren et al, and then 10 to 1 on to give a deliberately misleading and wrong answer through force of habit, I reckon that's about ten million to one! (PS evidence of collusion will result in all bets being off!)

9-2 Pat Gibson 13-2 Peter Ediss 13-2 Darren Martin 7-1 Mark Labbett 8-1 Rob Hannah 8-1 Kevin Ashman 8-1 Diane Hallagan 11-1 Chris Curtis 11-1 James Webb 11-1 Mike Abbott 11-1 Mark Kerr 11-1 Trevor Montague

14-1 Lee Warburton 14-1 Alan Gibbs 15-1 Barry Simmons 15-1 Bev 15-1 Andy Watson 15-1 Keith Poynton 16-1 Tim Westcott 16-1 Scott Dawson 18-1 Eric Kilby 20-1 David Edwards 20-1 Joy Wilson 22-1 Sean Carey

25-1 Mark Bytheway 25-1 Helen Childs 25-1 Richard Parnell 25-1 Justin Dixon 25-1 Andrew Teal 25-1 Olav Bjortomt 25-1 Ken Owen 33-1 John Dyer 33-1 Rob Mitchell 33-1 Stephanie Bruce 33-1 Keith Andrew 33-1 Peter Smith

35-1 Jonathan Skinner 50-1 Dave Tilley 66-1 David Stainer 100-1 Brian Wilkins 100-1 Dan O'Hara 100-1 Chris Earl 100-1 Geraldine Hibbett 100-1 Andrew Lay 10,000-1 Chris Jones 9,999,999-1 Shergar 10,000,000-1 Jane Allen Evens Mick Goodrigg

Other prices available on request