Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Winning the Bronze Medal at the Oswestry Games "Oslympics Open Quiz"

British Minigolf Association Team finishes in third-place at Oslympic Sports Quiz at Oswestry Cricket Club..

On Friday 13th July Emily and I headed to Oswestry Cricket Club which was to be the host for the Oswestry Games’ “Oslympics Open Quiz” event.

With five players in town ready for the weekend’s Minigolf action we split into two teams – with me, Emily and Marc ‘The Force’ Chapman making up the BMGA team of the ‘Crazy Minigolfers’ while Ruth Burke (who would later join our team) and Steve Sturdy were joined by some family members to make up another team.

After twelve intense rounds of sports and Olympic-themed questions the Crazy Minigolfers were announced as Oslympic Bronze Medal winners and were asked to take their place on the podium to receive their medals and bottles of Station Bitter from the event sponsors Stonehouse Brewery!

The Crazy Minigolfers on the podium! Photo by Steve Sturdy

The Oslympics Quiz winners were Team Drink GB, with the team of JT was Innocent in second-place.

Our Oslympics Quiz Prizes - Stonehouse Brewery's Station Bitter and Oswestry Games Bronze Medal

The quiz was a great event and a nice start to a brilliant weekend in Oswestry. Many thanks to the Oswestry Games organising committee, Oswestry Cricket Club, Stonehouse Brewery and Quizmaster for the night, BBC Radio Shropshire’s James Bond!

Links:

Monday, July 16, 2012

A Minigolf Visit to Wonderland in Telford!

Minigolf Course #500 visited / #300 Played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

On our journey to the 2012 Oswestry Games we had the chance to visit the 500th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour! Prior to our trip we had seen on the excellent Minigolf resource of MiniatureGolfer.com that the Wonderland Theme Park in Telford, Shropshire was home to a Pirate Crazy Golf course.

If it was open it would the 300th course played too!

The weather was rather ominous on the drive to Telford on Friday the 13th of July and the date did not help the feeling of dread that the course would not be there, or worse – be there, but not in a playable condition. This is the sort of thing that runs through your mind when you’ve visited and not played so many courses over the years!

When we arrived at Wonderland the weather was less than summery and it was tipping down with rain. We parked up, grabbed our umbrella and headed into the Theme Park to see if we could find the course. We started our search at the opposite side of the park and so took a wander through, passing a very big Giant on our way.

Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
A Giant and Richard at the Wonderland Theme Park in Telford

When we arrived at the Crazy Golf kiosk we asked to play the course, but were advised not to as the rainy weather had made the course very slippery. After explaining that we had played in far worse weather conditions and that we would be incredibly careful navigating the course we were handed our putters, minigolf balls and a very nice scorecard for the Treasure Island 9-hole Crazy Golf course!


The Pirate-themed layout is intriguing as it has a mixture of hole types and designs, with some of the holes made of wooden planks, others are concrete with metal rails and others are a more ‘traditional’ felt.

Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Hole 2 - made of wooden decking!

Even in the wet conditions the course was fun to play and very tricky in places. While neither Emily or I scored a hole-in-one (this time) we were close on a few attempts. The killer hole for me was the 4th (Smugglers Cove) which saw me score a dreaded 7!

Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Playing a shot on hole 9 at Wonderland Telford

In the end the result of our Irregular Mini Golf Tour match-up saw only one shot separate the two of us – with Emily the eventual winner with a score of 29, to my 30!

Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Emily playing a shot on the Wonderland Treasure Island Crazy Golf


Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Richard playing a shot up a ramp and over a boat on the Wonderland Crazy Golf course


Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Richard playing the Wonderland Treasure Island Crazy Golf

If you’re a fan of Crazy Golf and/or Fairytales then the Wonderland Theme Park is the place for you to visit. The Crazy Golf is great fun, the park and its attractions look great and are very well maintained and the staff working there are incredibly nice and friendly.


Mini Golf at Wonderland in Telford
Richard getting scared off of a Dinosaur at Wonderland Telford

What has become our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began on the 30th September 2006 when we visited another Treasure Island Adventure Golf course in Southsea. We also made a re-visit on the 30th September 2011!

On our many roadtrips and travels around the UK to play Minigolf we’ve been to a couple of other “Treasure Island’s” and quite a few Pirate-themed courses.

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Playing the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex

Minigolf Course #499 visited / #299 Played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

On Wednesday 11th July Emily and I visited the 499th Miniature Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The course at Dunton Hills Golf Course became the 299th played since September 2006!

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
A view of the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex

In addition to the regular Golf course and Driving Range at the Dunton Hills Golf Centre there is an 18-hole Miniature Golf course layout. And very good it is too.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
Playing onto a plateau

We arrived in West Horndon just as a storm had hit and there was enough lightning flashing about for us to not venture out on the course. Thankfully this summer downpour finished after five minutes and we were able to get out and play.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
The Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course, Regular Golf Course in the background and some ominous clouds!

In our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Match-up I shot a round of 48(+12) with a 24 on both the front nine and back nine. Emily scored a 51(+15), heading out in 27 and in with a 24.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
Teeing-off on hole one of the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course

In our Matchplay contest Emily picked up the win 3&2.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
Emily Putting on the way to Matchplay victory

The holes range from the 27 feet long 4th hole, to the 62 foot 17th hole. With a nice rebound I very almost scored a hole-in-one on the 17th in our match-up, with the ball rolling up to the lip of the hole, only to roll back a few inches :-( There were a few other “1.5’s”, but no holes-in-one scored.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
The 46 foot long16th hole at Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course

It was a great 18-hole course, a tricky layout with some nice hills and plateaus. It's well priced at £3 a round for adults and we’d definitely play there again.

Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
Emily plays the second hole at Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex

The logo of the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf course is very interesting indeed (a hen perched on a golf ball sat on a tee!) and you can see it on the very well made course scorecard. It’s one of the nicest scorecards we’ve collected on our travels.

The regular Golf course looks immaculate and there were some nice looking water hazards there. While we were there was a family of geese making themselves at home on the green next to the pond nearest to the Miniature Golf.

You can find the Dunton Hills Golf Centre on Tilbury Road in West Horndon, near Brentwood in Essex. It’s also called Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre and you can see it on Google Maps at the postcode CM13 3LT.

With Minigolf visit #499 completed, where will the 500th course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour be?

If we play #500 it’ll be the 300th Minigolf course played on our Tour!

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Upminster's Hall Lane Miniature Golf Complex has Re-opened!

But the two courses there remain unplayed as it wasn't open on our visit.

While in Upminster on Wednesday 11th July I stopped by to see if the Miniature Golf complex on Hall Lane had re-opened. I found it had!

Upminster's Hall Lane Miniature Golf Complex - Crazy Golf & Pitch & Putt

Unfortunately it is only open at weekends and school holidays.

The new price list at the Miniature Golf Complex in Upminster

The Miniature Golf Complex consists of the previously seen 9-hole Crazy Golf course, along with an 18-hole ‘pay & play’ Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt) course.


The Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt) course at Upminster's Hall Lane Miniature Golf Complex

I’m sure we’ll get to play both courses one day...

Related Blog Posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date
- Upminster (Hall Lane) - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit - Derelict Course

Sunday, July 08, 2012

Minigolf Report - Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

8th July 2012
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report from the Crazy Golf Pro Championship, hosted by Bompas & Parr and UrbanCrazy

On Saturday 7th July Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried were invited to compete in the Crazy Golf Pro Championship, hosted by Bompas & Parr and UrbanCrazy, on the rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges London.

Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London
Richard Gottfried playing the third hole of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf course at Selfridges London

A total of 30 players were in action on the London-landmark and cake-themed Miniature Golf course and Richard finished in 6th place after two 9-hole rounds of 17(-1) for a tournament total of 34(-2). Emily scored rounds of 22(+4) and 20(+2) to finish in 20th place. In the ladies’ competition Emily finished 1st of six players.

Richard said “I’m pleased with my 6th place in the Crazy Golf Pro Championship. After Alan Norman stormed to an opening round of just 12 the field had its work cut out in getting close to really challenge for the title. But my consistent two rounds of 17 were good enough to see me gain another top-ten tournament finish. I’m looking forward to more rounds on Bompas & Parr’s very crazy Minigolf course over the next two months.”

Emily said “The course on Selfridges’ roof is very unique as well as great fun. The tournament was fantastic, with a lot of joviality and banter among all the players. It was great to see so many players, old and new, taking part. I really enjoyed the evening and although I would’ve liked to have scored better, I think it was brilliant tournament and would definitely play there again!”

The Crazy Golf Pro Championship winner was Oxford’s Michael Smith who defeated London’s Nick Sandqvist at the fourth extra-hole of a sudden-death play-off. Alan Norman finished in third place having also scored 28(-8) in regulation play, but lost out at the third hole of the play-off.

Minigolf - Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London
'Squire' Richard Gottfried and a comedy character at the Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

The course opened at the end of May for the The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party. The course has been installed on the roof of Selfridges London as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. Last month Richard became the first champion at the course when he won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff.

Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London
Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman and 'Squire' Richard Gottfried at the Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

In the latest British Minigolf Association Tour Rankings Richard has moved up to 6th place of 53 players in the BMGA Season Only Rankings for 2012, Emily is in 40th place. In the BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Richard is up from 22nd place to 13th of 87 players, Emily is in 41st spot. In the BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Richard is in 9th place of 55 players, with Emily in 37th position.

Ends

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Being Interviewed about Minigolf by a Professional Office Chair Racer

As a fan of unusual sports, games and pastimes I've been tweeting with the team at Chillisauce - a company that organises Stag Weekends, Hen Nights, Adventure Weekends and Corporate Events and loves to talk about Adventure Sports, Bizarre Festivals and Unusual Events through the Chillisauce blog!

I was recently interviewed about my adventures in the world of competition Crazy Golf and Minigolf by 'professional office chair racer' Robert Dawson-Goodey from Chillisauce.

You can read the interview on the Chillisauce blog at Interview with a Mini Golfer: Richard Gottfried

Saturday, June 30, 2012

A New Minigolf Blog! Who is the Putting Predictor?

Another day and another new Minigolf blog is up online!

The latest Crazy Golf blog is by a mysterious character who appeared shortly before the 2012 BMGA British Minigolf Championships, his/her name is The Putting Predictor!

You can read the blog here, and also find them on Twitter.

Who is The Putting Predictor???


What the Putting Predictor predicts doesn't appear to be 100% accurate, but is clearly controversial and quite amusing!

Related Blog Posts:

Check out the list of links to the right hand side of The Ham & Egger Files to see links to other Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf blogs and websites.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff

29th June 2012
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff

Crazy Golf competition victory on the rooftop of Selfridges in London.

On Thursday 28th June Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Playoff for June on the 9-hole rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges Department Store in London.

Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff
Richard Gottfried - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff Champion

Having achieved one of the best scores during June on the London landmark and cake-themed course, designed by renowned ‘Jelly Mongers’ Bompas & Parr, Richard was invited to play in the three-round, 27-hole contest with eleven other competitors on the Par-21 course. Scoring rounds of 17, a course record equalling 15 and 16 for a total of 48(-15) Richard was three shots ahead of the runner-up.

On the 15th June Richard had scored a round of 18(-3) to qualify for the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Playoff. In winning the contest he received a trophy along with two signed books by Bompas & Parr.

Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff
Richard Gottfried - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff Winner

Richard said “I’m incredibly happy to have won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff. The course is one of the most imaginative I've played and very tricky but I managed to hit eight holes-in-one amongst a few dropped shots. It’s great that Selfridges and Bompas & Parr have re-introduced a Crazy Golf course to the rooftop, as back in the 1930’s Selfridges’ roof was home to one of the UK’s first Minigolf courses. I’m looking forward to playing in more events there this summer and I’d recommend people to give the course a play before it’s gone!”

Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff
Playing Hole 9 of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf at Selfridges

The course opened at the end of May for The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party. The course has been installed on the roof of Selfridges as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. The summer installation will close on Sunday 2nd September.

Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf at Selfridges, London
Playing Hole 1 of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf at Selfridges

Ends

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Gottfried and Paul in London

While in London yesterday we spotted this (to let) shop on Great Portland Street.

Gottfried and Paul Shop on Great Portland Street in London


If me and my Minigolf rival (and new captain of the Midlands Minigolf Club) Paul 'Johnson Paul Johnson' Johnson ever decided to team up again it could be our team name...

Gottfried and Paul used to be Knitwear Manufacturers & Wholesalers.

Monday, June 25, 2012

A New Minigolf Blog by the USA's Jon Drexler

One of my international Minigolf rivals and a big name in the game Jon Drexler has recently started a new Minigolf blog.

The blog is called Have Putter Will Travel and has a great strap line of “Travelling the world playing miniature golf. There are far worse ways to go through life...”

Last month Jon and I were opponents at the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters in Hastings. As a member of the WMF Allstars team Jon defeated the Great Britain B Team that I was a part of in the fight for the bronze medal.


USA Minigolfer Jon Drexler (in black with whiteboard) scoring during the team final of the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2012 in Hastings

 
In his first blog post ‘Welcome to the blog/Intro’ Jon explains that through the blog he will be keeping people up-to-date with tournaments he plays in and his travels, results and an insight into the US-side of Minigolf compared to the European style(s).

I’m looking forward to reading more.

Check out the 'Links' section on the right hand side of the Ham & Egger Files blog for links to other Minigolf blogs and websites.

Minigolf Report - Richard Gottfried finishes 7th in the 2012 BMGA British Minigolf Championships

25th June 2012
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Championships in Hastings

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried achieves highest finish in a BMGA Major event to date.

On the 23rd and 24th June Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried returned to the Pirate Adventure Golf course in Hastings, East Sussex to compete in the 15th annual BMGA British Championships. In the 7-round, 126-hole tournament Richard achieved his best finish to-date in a British Minigolf Association Tour Strokeplay Major competition by finishing in 7th place of 35 players.

The first minigolf major of the season was won by Michael Smith from Oxford with a score of 205(-47).

Richard scored rounds of 35, 34, 32, 33, 35, 30 and 32 for a total of 231(-21), an average of 33 per round and 33 holes-in-one overall.

Richard Gottfried playing Hole 1 at the 2012 BMGA British Minigolf Championships


Richard said “I’m really pleased with achieving seventh place in very tricky weather conditions. I don’t think the wind stopped blowing once in the whole two days. I improved my score by nine shots from last month’s WMF World Adventure Golf Masters on the course and the practice I put in prior to the event paid off. Getting into the top ten places of any BMGA tournament is tough and to do it in a major event like the British Championships is brilliant. I was happy to score every round under par, with my two ‘worst’ scores being a pair of not too bad 35s.”

Since his BMGA Tour debut in 2007 Richard has competed in five BMGA British Championships and previously finished in 19th, 18th, 25th and tied 11th places.

Ends

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Playing Minigolf on the Selfridges Rooftop Crazy Golf course!

Playing the 298th Miniature Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at the capital’s latest Crazy Golf course atop a roof on Oxford Street!


Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges

On the evening of Friday 15th June Emily and I made a highly anticipated visit to the brand new Crazy Golf course that has been installed on the roof of Selfridges as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. The course has only been installed for a three-month period so we thought we’d go there as soon as possible.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
On the roof

The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party has seen a 9-hole London & Cake-themed Crazy Golf course!? The layout has been designed by world-renowned Jelly Mongers Bompas & Parr who have created the seven wonders of London in cake form as the obstacles!

Having not pre-booked tickets we arrived hoping to play on one of the walk-up tickets, we were initially told to return in half an hour as the course was a little busy so we headed for a wander around the food hall.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
A view of the Bompas & Parr Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

When we returned we were shown into the lift to gain access to the course and taken to the top floor. The theming and the design of the whole Tea Room and Crazy Golf area is very well done and looks great. The nice and friendly staff welcomed us and went over the process and rules before we paid to play.

Behind the counter there are some huge trophies – these are on offer to winners of the monthly Championship Playoffs! The leaderboard in the Pro Shop had the current leading score at -6, with the course having a par of 21.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
Emily at the Tower Bridge hole on the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

After paying we picked up our putters, scorecard, brilliant minigolf pencil and what we were told were the only Gold Golf Balls in the world and headed outside to play the course.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
Purple felt!

In our contest Emily scored a very respectable 21(par) which included two holes-in-one, while I won with a round of 18(-3) having shot three aces. There are some very tricky holes on the course and Emily had a little trouble and landed in the water on the 4th hole which is a replica of Tower Bridge! Luckily a fishing net and ball retriever were found and the ball was recovered from the murky depths of the ‘Thames’.

With my score of three-under I added my name to the leaderboard – the current leader had scored a round of 15(-6), while the best score on the 15th June had been a 16(-5). It’s great that the course is adding a competition element to the fun play too.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
Emily's favourite hole on the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges - Hole 5: St Pinbaul's

The course is well worth a visit, the staff was great and the whole look, feel and design of the course, scorecards and pencils is top notch.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
Richard on the Big Ben Rebound hole at the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

The course was the 298th played and 497th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006!

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges
Hole 9 of the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

Back in the 1930’s the roof at Selfridges was home to one of the UK’s first Minigolf courses!

The Crazy Golf course is only on the roof of Selfridges until Sunday 2nd September 2012 so I would advise you get along and give it a go – who knows it may be another 80 years until you get a chance to play Minigolf on Selfridges roof!

Minigolf and Crazy Golf in London - Selfridges

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Friday, June 08, 2012

Results of a three town 'Octathlon' sporting challenge series

Sporting rivals compete in contests in Letchworth, Baldock & Stevenage

On Thursday 7th June I competed in a series of sport and games challenges against Dodgeball and Minigolf adversary “Rowdy” Russell Fenner. The ‘Octathlon’ event comprised of eight contests in three towns.

The contest ended up as an Octathlon, rather than a Biathlon, Duathlon, Triathlon, Pentathlon, Hexathlon, Heptathlon or Decathlon of events due to a mixture of us being unable to agree on a set number of contests to play and not actually planning the event further than setting what the first event would be!

The action began at the Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre with a 9-hole round of Pitch & Putt. Both of us have previously played the course “a few years ago” so it was as level a playing field as it could be.

“Rowdy” Russell won the honour of teeing-off first with a preliminary round win in a game of Rock Paper Scissors. He promptly shanked the ball off the tee and landed in the heavy rough.

'Rowdy' Russell Fenner looks for a missing Golf ball

Choosing to play the Golf round early was a wise decision as the weather was fairly mild at tee-off, but took a turn for the worse later in the day. The round on the tough but fair Letchworth layout saw Russell score a 45(+18) while I scored a 38(+11) to take the opening win of the contest.

Following what would be the only true outdoor event of the Octathlon we headed inside for a game of Pool.

With Russell previously having the edge in Pool matches against me he won the Rock Paper Scissors game and let me have the break. The match was the closest we’ve had against each other, and after ‘Rowdy’ miss-cued on his first shot I thought I’d pick up a win. However, Russell won the contest to tie the Octathlon at one win apiece.

Playing Pool at Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre

Next up, Darts. Not Russell’s strongpoint, but with one high double figure score of 78 punctuating a run of dismal throws he did manage to get down to a double. The round of Darts was played in a 301-straight-in, double-out format and saw me once again take the lead in the series with an escape of the ‘madhouse’ by hitting double-1.

The scoreboard from the Darts match at Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre

With the games in Letchworth completed we headed down the road to  The Orange Tree Inn  in nearby Baldock for a game or Bar Billiards. Walking into the public bar at the Orange Tree there was a bit of a shock as the table was nowhere to be seen! Luckily after asking the barman we found the table had been moved into the other bar. It’s in a great position now with space to play shots from both sides. There is also a great old painting of the Orange Tree Pub hanging over the table.

Russell aiming for the 200-hole on the Orange Tree's Bar Billiards table

As Russell had never played Bar Billiards before we had a friendly warm-up contest. The match saw some steady, if a little low, scoring before the sudden-death shoot-out. With the score at 500 to 340 Russell needed to hit the 200-hole to win and after a few missed shots he nailed it to take the win in his debut game.

The Octathlon round kicked off after a short interval and the game was played in front of an audience of a man eating his lunch. It must have been the added pressure of having a spectator present that led to some of the most dismal Bar Billiards ever played. The man “having played a bit in his time” offered a few tips, but to no avail to either of us. The contest once again went to a sudden-death play-off, however Russell was in an almost unwinnable position and as I didn’t topple the black mushroom it stayed that way as I picked up a win 640 to 550, despite Russell once again nailing the 200-shot.

The new position of the Orange Tree's Bar Billiards table

The morning session of gaming action finished with a 3-1 scoreline and was punctuated by a sportsman’s lunch of Fish & Chips at the excellent Cox’s of Letchworth. Adequately fuelled for the final stretch of competition the two rivals headed down the A1(M) to Stevenage and the Hollywood Bowl to play a game of Tenpin Bowling.

Unfortunately due to it being half-term all of the bowling lanes were fully booked for the next two hours, so the next series of sporting endeavours, would have to be amusement arcade games-based.

First up in the arcade games was Air Hockey and a decisive 7-1 win to Russell to make the Octathlon series 3-2.

A 7-1 Air Hockey win for Russell in Stevenage 

The next contest was a battle at the Basketball Hoops shoot-out ticket game. Russell once again won the Rock Paper Scissors contest to see who would go first and ‘put me into bat’. I opened with a few good baskets before failing to score much more. My total to beat was a meagre 17. Russell stepped up and nailed 19 to take the contest to three wins apiece.

The seventh game and last of the three amusement arcade events was the Sideshow Shooting Gallery ticket-game. Winning the Rock Paper Scissors I let Russell play first to set a target score. Missing just one shot he ended with a good total of 190 points. This wasn’t enough though as I hit each of my targets and scored a perfect 200 and make the Octathlon 4-3 in my favour.

Sideshow Shootout in Stevenage

With time ticking on and the weather getting worse there were no other sports or games options in the area and so the final contest would be a best-of-5 Rock Paper Scissors match.

Rock Paper Scissors was a running-theme of the Octathlon due to both players’ history in the game, having competed against each other in the team contest at the 2011 Sportingbet UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London.

Throughout the day Russell had won most of the RPS ‘honours’ games and managed to keep his nerve to win the Rock Paper Scissors contest to tie the Octathlon at 4-4. Far from being a decision making tool, in this instance Rock Paper Scissors had merely been an (un)decider in the Octathlon event!

Another multi-sport contest is scheduled to take place between the pair of us later in the summer...

 
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