ATCC Sports Quiz

Sunday 11th April 2004

The "Play the game" Sports quiz reached it's climax on Easter Sunday evening with two close run matches capping off an altogether successful running of the event. In the plate final, it was a battle of the two cricket clubs, both Nuneaton and hosts Atherstone. Despite leading, albeit narrowly, for most of the match, a disastrous penultimate round from the Adders allowed the knowledgeable Nuns to lead by four points going into the final round. With Nigel Midgley and Atherstone's Chris Horton putting the buzzers through a demanding workout, it was Nuneaton who emerged victorious by 36 points to 30 at the close, skipper Dave Blower, an Atherstone player normally, doing his team mates out of an honour!

The final was going to be a good game to surpass the plate, but surpass it did. This match of Witherley United FC and The Angel almost never happened as last week, Witherley scraped home in a tie break. However, when it was later checked and revealed that opponents Mancetter Sports got a question right that was deemed wrong, discussions went underway during the course of the week that would restore anyone's faith in human nature. Quizmaster Neil Dykes apologised for the error and Witherley skipper Dave Turner offered to step down and have Mancetter re-instated as the winners of the tie and take their place in the final. Mancetter skipper Rob Wills magnanimously refused, saying the situation was akin to a referee missing a last minute handball and as the match was played and won by Witherley on the night and they should play in the final.

In the final itself, it would be fair to say that form favoured The Angel, who have won the competition eight times before and had a trouble free run to the final. Witherley by contrast had a last question one point win over Atherstone Cricket Club in round one and took their semi final into a tie-break before winning out. However it was Witherley who took an early lead, again narrowly, but held their own in the buzzer round and written round. An upset was on the cards without doubt. With two rounds to go disaster struck for Witherley who proceeded to get all three specialist football questions wrong, with The Angel picking up the bonus points. The Angel grabbed 5 horse racing points to take the lead going into the final buzzer round, a lead which they hung onto with a winning margin of four points 36 - 32, proving that you can never write them off until the last question is asked.

The winning team of Simon Gilbert, Dave Ball and Dave Dennis collected their trophies from Atherstone United FC stalwart and quiz stalwart, Terry Jago, while Cricket Club Chairman Vic Clements offered thanks to those who have helped run and support the quiz as it has now been running for the best part of thirty years. Originally set up by Tony Marsden, Neil Dykes took over the running and for 22 years has done a sterling job. However, in 2006, Neil plans to be spending more time abroad and a successor as quizmaster is required. Next year will provide the opportunity to work alongside Neil as he embarks on his farewell tour as it were and keep going a thoroughly wonderful event for all concerned. January 16th will see the first match of 2005 all being well with the draw no doubt being made as ever in the Market Tavern. Until then, we will see you anon.

Sunday 4th April 2004

The semi final matches of Neil Dykes' play the game - A Question of Sport quiz took place on Sunday in front of a bumper crowd to see who would meet in next week's final on Easter Sunday. The first match drew competition favourites The Angel against the last side to beat them, Vic Clements' side, The Coniston Tavern. The Angel took the lead in round one and minus the inspirational John Stewart, Coniston struggled to keep pace with their Atherstone based rivals. While this was by no means a rout, Angel won well and had to battle hard against stiff opposition (Clements having bowled six overs in a net session the week before!) The margin of victory was in single figures by the close, Angel worthy winners, Coniston ruing the loss of the enigmatic Stewart.

The second game was a pulsating encounter that had to go to a tie break to determine the winner. In a ding-dong battle, Mancetter Sports and Witherley United FC struggled to assert supremacy over the other and with Rob Wills in stunning form for Mancetter and the irrepressible Nick "Truck" Wardle likewise for Witherley, the match could have gone either way right to the end. On the very last question, Witherley forced the tie-break having perhaps been unlucky to be a point down due to an earlier question but in the following tie-break, consisting of four pictures and related questions, Witherley sneaked home to earn a final place.

Next week obviously sees the final of the competition with Atherstone Cricket Club first taking on Nuneaton Cricket Club in the final of the plate competition, while The Angel and Witherley United FC will battle it out for the top prize in local sports anorak circles! There will be the customary raffle as well as a buffet for anyone who pops down to support, admission is as always free and an excellent night is once again to be expected. The first match begins at 8.00pm, it normally being best to arrive beforehand in order to get a seat!

Sunday 28th March 2004

Neil Dykes' sports quiz continued on Sunday as the first semi final matches were played in front of an inebriated audience to great effect. These matches were to determine who would play in the Plate final - the competition for any first round losers. The draw was made and in the first match, host side Atherstone Cricket Club were pitted against Paul Dennis' "Custards" outfit, including Stan Riley and Dodder. After a close first round, Atherstone CC moved into a lead which was ultimately to prove unassailable, despite all the endeavours of Atherstone greatest gravedigger. A good buzzer round closed the gap but the game and a place in the final was deservedly earned by the cricket lads.

The second game was very evenly matched as Nuneaton CC minus holidaying Dave Blower did battle with The Cricketers Arms side of Larry, Malc and Steve. The Arms got off to a slow start but gradually made inroads into Nuneaton's lead to the point where there was just a point between the sides as the last round began. The momentum was against Nuneaton but Geraint Bowen's troops gamely hung on to win by 4 at the finish.

That means that the final on Easter Sunday will be a local sporting Derby of sorts as the Cricket Clubs of both Nuneaton and Atherstone go head to head in what should be an epic battle. When these sides meet on the cricket field, the matches are often rain affected - there will be no danger of that in two weeks time as the final will be played with the roof on!

Next week sees the semis of the main competition with sides Witherley FC, Mancetter Sports, The Angel and The Coniston Tavern all finding out the draw on the night. The Angel are the clear favourites to win out as Coniston will be without the influential Chas Stewart. Witherley are always dangerous irrespective of who they field while Mancetter Sports have plenty of experience and frankly would not be in the semi finals if they were rubbish!

Everyone is welcome - especially some more of the cricket lads from Atherstone. Get yersens down there youth!

Sunday 21st March 2004

The remaining two semi-final berths were decided on Sunday at Atherstone Cricket Club as this year's competition builds to its exciting climax on Easter Sunday. In the plate competition, hot favourites The Cricketer's Arms (technically should be now known as the Market Tavern) eased through against perennial underdogs The Jagos. Steve Pumfrey's outfit were never in trouble from the first round onwards and take their place next week along with Atherstone Cricket Club, The Custards and Nuneaton Cricket Club, the draw as ever being made on the night.

The following week will see semi finalists The Angel, Mancetter Sports and Witherley United FC be joined by previous winners of a few years ago The Coniston Tavern. The side of Vic Clements, Dave Harris and John "Chas" Stewart took on The Maypole from Baddesley in a low scoring contest. Narrowly holding a lead of never more than a few points, Coniston had a chance to put daylight between themselves and their opponents after Maypole scored two from a possible nine in round five but a similar showing from Clements' men left it all to play for in the final buzzer round. Unfortunately, for the Maypole, there was to be no repeat of their last gasp heroics of the first round as Coniston finished up winners by a five point margin. The draw for the main competition semi finals will again be on the night, on the following weekend of Sunday April 4th.

Sunday 13th March 2004

A part capacity crowd gathered on Sunday evening for the penultimate instalment of quarter-final matches, despite clashing later that evening with one of the principal sporting events of the decade, yes, Wrestlemania XX. The plate match got things underway with Atherstone Cricket Club fielding their own People's Champion, Adrian Williams who was in fine form throughout. After an initial blitz on the picture round giving their side a big early advantage, the Cricket side of Williams, Martin Cooper and Chris Horton built on this lead to ease into a position of dominance, which was just as well as a dismal showing in the last two rounds allowed opponents The Bandits to close the gap at the end to around ten points.

The second match was a repeat of last year's final and went in a similar vein as The Angel capitalised on some difficult picture questions given to Jack's Stats to gather an early and ultimately unassailable lead. The Hinckley based Stats team competed well from here on in but the deficit from round one was always going to be hard to overcome and so this remained. A close finish would have been in prospect but for that initial round as favourites The Angel cruised into a semi-final berth. They will now meet either Witherley United, Mancetter Sports or the winners of next week's clash between The Coniston Tavern and The Maypole.

Semi-final draws are, as always, made on the night so attendance is pretty crucial for all remaining teams as the competitions trundle apace towards an excitement filled climax.

Sunday 6th March 2004

The Question of Sport matches continued on Sunday as teams Drillfield and Custards vied for a semi final berth in a thrilling plate quarter final. Custards held a narrow lead for most of the game thanks to some sterling brainwork from Stan Riley but Drillfield never let their opponents get out of sight and all was to play for approaching the final buzzer round. With just one point in it on the last question, Drillfield's Keir Hardy buzzed in early but alas came out with an incorrect answer to effectively seal the win for Custards, who also failed to answer, by 26 - 24.

In the main competition, Tiggers Tigers came head to head with old adversaries, Mancetter Sports in another evenly matched game. These two sides have met more times than any other in the history of the competition and Mancetter usually have had the edge. Today was no different as Kevin Dawe, Rob Wills and Joey Cook at the finish showed their knowledge to earn themselves a semi-final place.

Sunday 29th February 2004

The first of the quarter final matches took place on Sunday and saw Nuneaton Cricket Club become the first side into the Plate semi-final after easing through against a competitive Exel side. However, it seems that they will be missing skipper Dave Blower for that fixture as he meets up with the Barmy Army in the West Indies for semi-final fortnight. Despite his absence, they should still feature well and are amongst the favourites to win this years plate.

In the main competition, Witherley united were too strong for Atherstone United Supporters Club despite having the influential Dave Turner out with flu. Rick Luke provided an able deputy and was fortunate enough to be on the end of several Arsenal based questions, made all the more easy due to his loyal support for the Gunners over the last six years!

Next week sees The Custards tackle Drillfield in the Plate which should be close, while Tiggers Tigers take on Mancetter Sports in the quarter final of the main competition.

Sunday 22nd February 2004

The final instalment of first round matches were completed on Sunday and the result was two thrilling matches both played to the last question followed by the draw for the second round. In the first game, Steve Pumfrey's The Cricketers Arms were coasting in their fixture against Rob Wills Mancetter Sports. With a nine point advantage going into the final buzzer round, there was only one winner, but some quick thinking from Kevin Dawe narrowed the gap to the point that the game hinged upon the last question. Amazingly, it was Mancetter's Dawe again who grabbed the two points and with it the unlikeliest of victories against shellshocked opposition. The second game by contrast was nip and tuck all the way, Wayne Chapman's Exel side never more than a few points ahead of the Dave and John Gallagher's Maypole. Once again, the game was close right the way down to the very last question with Exel hanging on to a one point lead. Then from the same seat as the previous match, a rapid buzzer answer of "Martin Bicknell" stole a late win for the Maypole.

The draw was then made for the second round starting next Sunday with several interesting ties including a repeat of last years final on March 14th.

February 29th
Plate Nuneaton CC v Exel
Main Atherstone United Supporters Club v Witherley United FC

March 7th
Plate The Custards v Drillfield
Main Mancetter Sports v Tigger's Tigers

March 14th
Plate The Bandits v Atherstone Cricket Club
Main Jack's Stats v The Angel

March 21st
Plate The Jagos v The Cricketer's Arms
Main Coniston Tavern v The Maypole

The first match starts at 8.00pm with the second usually around 8.45pm.

Sunday 15th February 2004

The third phase of first round matches in the Play The Game sports quiz was completed on Sunday in two fairly close encounters. Quizmaster of the last 22 years Neil Dykes was away in Cyprus but wife Janet and Chantelle Chetwynd ably shared the duties between them and just about managed to decipher Neil's handwriting! In the first fixture Nuneaton Cricket Club played Atherstone United Supporters Club and had opportunities to win, however it was the side of Ralph Hewitt, Ian Chetwynd and Tim Evans that seized their chances and powered through to round two. Nuneaton will now have to settle for the plate competition in which they will no doubt be a force. In the second game, Drillfield - a side comprising of father (Terry Hardy) and son, (Keir) and son-in-law Adam Klucis seemed dead and buried at the hands of last years main competition runners up, Hinckley based side Jack's Stats. However, a phenomenal final buzzer round saw the gap close dramatically although not quite close enough as Jack's Stats narrowly hung on to the win. Next week sees the conclusion of the first round games with Mancetter Sports taking on Steve Pumfrey's Cricketers Arms while Wayne Chapman's Exel side round things off in their match against dark horses The Maypole. The draw for the quarter finals will be made immediately afterwards and a member of each team is asked to be present so everyone knows who and on what day they are playing!

Sunday 8th February 2004

Last Sunday night saw the next phase of first round matches take place to see who would go through to the second round along with The Angel and the Coniston Tavern. First up were Tigger's Tigers who eased through in their encounter against underdog outfit The Jagos, while the second match saw the best game in the tournament to date as Witherley United went head to head with Atherstone Cricket Club. The game saw the cricket lads (all of whom have played football for Witherley United at some point) maintain a narrow lead for most of the game, but some quick finger work on the buzzer round from ex-cricket player Nick Wardle saw the tables turn. The final question was answered correctly by the cricketers but this only closed the gap to a point leaving Witherley deserved but relieved winners. Next Sunday sees Nuneaton CC do batle with Ralph Hewitt's Atherstone United Supporters Club with Terry Hardy's Drillfield taking on last years runners up Hinckley.

Sunday 1st February 2004

This years annual "Play The Game - a question of sport" quiz kicked off at Atherstone Cricket Club on Sunday with defending champions the Angel easing through to a comfortable first round success against The Custards who now enter the plate competition. Quizmaster Neil Dykes put the sides throught their sporting paces in his 22nd year as host, the competition entering it's 26th season in total - it was believed at least! Thankfully the answers were a little more accurate - except the one about Castleford Rugby League, but that's another story!! In the second of the matches, The Coniston Tavern - last years plate winners had a more evenly matched encounter with the Amington side now re-named The Bandits. In a close game, Coniston always had the edge and won through to a place in the second round. Horse racing fans The Bandits fared well and should be a force in the plate tournament. This Sunday sees host side Atherstone Cricket Club battle against Witherley FC and the popular Jago's side entertain us in their fixture against rugby loving Tigger's Tigers - plate winners of a couple of years ago.