Good evening. As no entries were received over the last 12 hours, we will finish early as we also began early on Monday.
We have 12 entrants, all of whom have submitted interesting and imaginative clues. The word chosen - COURSE - offered a wide scope and, indeed, that scope was explored extensively, using all the usual devices - anagrams, homophones, inclusions, substitutions- and no less than 3 French interventions. We parsed each one carefully, noting - with much amusement- the casual flaunting of both grammar and punctuation. Fortunately, we don’t wield the red pen as fervently as the editors of our more esteemed crosswords. In fact, we think such “abuse” can improve the “ readability “ or surface in many cases.
So, down to business, in no particular order:
Welcome Useby@18. Only submission to use the link with bricks, unfortunately we couldn’t match the definition to lesson.
FieryJack. Lovely subtractive anagram at 32.
Buddy. Lots of really nice clues. Particularly liked 13 and 15.
At 29, couldn’t match the singular definition with plural starters.
Similarly at 30, couldn’t quite see the definition.
Paul. Again, lots of good clues. 6 was well constructed and took us a while as we still think in AD.
Jono. Liked 14 and especially liked 16’s use of “woke” as a signifier. We get knuckles rapped for often using nounal ones.
Mattrom. 22, 34 and 37 all very good, notwithstanding the abuse of the apostrophe!
Patrich. We liked the triple definition at 24, the “ bear” at 25 - we’ll let you off the ? - and the juxtaposition of St Andrew’s with church at 26.
So,….drum roll …very, very difficult decision but gold medal
to MATTROM @ 37 with joint silvers for Buddy @13, Jono @16.
Thank you all for participating. Hadn’t realised how difficult the judging is.
Mattrom, first one for you, as you’d posted a clue about dogs.
https://youtu.be/-zXMssz0faw
All particpants please enjoy ( or not, if you’re squeamish)
https://youtu.be/aczPDGC3f8U
https://youtu.be/aUeysGoPFTk
SS(C& S)