Difference between revisions of "Championship of Champions XII"

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'''Championship of Champions XII''' is remembered as one of the most consistently excellent [[Championship of Champions|Championships of Champions]] ever produced. Sixteen of the best contestants from [[Series 49]] to [[Series 54|54]] were assembled for a knockout showdown from the 29 May to 16 June 2006.
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'''Championship of Champions XII''' is remembered as one of the most excellent CoCs that has ever occurred. From 29 May to 16 June 2006, sixteen finalists from [[Series 49]] to [[Series 54|54]] were assembled for a knockout showdown. This was also the first [[Championship of Champions]] tournament where all the participants were [[15 round format|15-round]] finalists.
  
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The tournament had originally been scheduled for the end of Series 53, but was delayed by the transition of presenters. The original tournament had a slightly different line-up, including [[Sweyn Kirkness]] and [[Stuart Earl]], who were replaced by Series 54 contestants. Another favourite, [[Series 51]] champion [[Stewart Holden]], declined to enter the CoC because he was studying the [[Scrabble]] dictionary at the time.
+
The tournament was originally scheduled after the end of [[Series 53]], but was delayed by the transition of [[presenter]]s. The original tournament had a slightly different line-up, including [[Sweyn Kirkness]] and [[Stuart Earl]], who were replaced by the Series 54 finalists. Another favourite, [[Series 51]] [[series winners|champion]] [[Stewart Holden]], declined to enter because he was studying the [[Scrabble]] dictionary at the time.
  
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The first three games all featured centuries, as [[Mark Tournoff]], [[John Davies (Series 49)|John Davies]] and [[Conor Travers]] progressed at the expense of [[Steve Graston]], [[Gary Male]] and [[John Hunt (Series 52)|John Hunt]] respectively. The fourth game saw [[Jack Welsby]] make a mere 99 to [[Jon O'Neill]]'s 94, as both missed {{word|PROSPERED}}. The onslaught of centuries continued, with [[Paul Howe]] making 117 against [[John Mayhew]], [[Paul Gallen]] taking the tournament's highscore with 125 against [[Eamonn Timmins]], and the first double century game as [[Chris Cummins]]' 101 was inadequate to overcome [[Matthew Shore]]'s 109. The {{score|86|48}} score by which [[John Brackstone]] defeated Series 49 runner up [[David Wilson]] formed the only arguably weak point of the preliminary round.
+
The first three games all featured [[centuries]] as [[Mark Tournoff]], [[John Davies (Series 49)|John Davies]] and [[Conor Travers]] progressed at the expense of [[Steve Graston]], [[Gary Male]] and [[John Hunt (Series 52)|John Hunt]] respectively. The fourth game saw [[Jack Welsby]] make a mere 99 to [[Jon O'Neill]]'s 94, as they both missed {{word|PROSPERED}}. The onslaught of centuries continued with [[Paul Howe]] making 117 against [[John Mayhew]], [[Paul Gallen]] taking the tournament's eventual highest score with 125 against [[Eamonn Timmins]], and the first [[:Category:Double century games|double century game]] as [[Chris Cummins]]' 101 was eventually inadequate to overcome [[Matthew Shore]]'s 109. The {{score|86|48}} scoreline when [[John Brackstone]] defeated Series 49 runner-up, [[David Wilson]], arguably formed the only weak point of the preliminary rounds.
  
−
Eight days in and it did not seem like the championship could get anyway better. However the first quarter-final, Matthew Shore vs Mark Tournoff, was described by Jon O'Neill as "the greatest game of Countdown ever played" — both players scored two nines and, while Shore made a mighty 117, Tournoff made an incredible 124 to take the game. The second quarter-final was less explosive but no less exciting, with John Davies trying to claw back an 18-point first round deficit after missing {{word|STINGAREE/RESEATING}} against a ferociously focussed Paul Gallen. Gallen held on confidently, running out the winner at {{score|118|96}}. The third quarter-final saw recent champion Conor Travers sneak through against John Brackstone {{score|101|80}}, pulling out the awesome {{word|BRESAOLA}} in Round 13 and ultimately running out comfortable winner. The last quarter-final was between Paul Howe and Jack Welsby but, faced with difficult selections, the game finished close and low-scoring, with Paul winning {{score|83|72}}.
+
Eight days in and it did not seem that the tournament could get anyway better: the first quarter-final of [[Matthew Shore]] vs. Mark Tournoff was described by Jon O'Neill as "the greatest game of [[Countdown]] ever played" — both players spotted two nines and while Shore made a mighty 117, Tournoff made an incredible 124 to take the game. The second quarter-final was less explosive but no less exciting, with John Davies trying to claw back an eighteen-point first round deficit after missing {{word|STINGAREE/RESEATING}} against a ferociously focused Paul Gallen. Gallen held on confidently, running out the winner at {{score|118|96}}. The third quarter-final saw Conor Travers sneak through against John Brackstone by {{score|101|80}}, due to pulling out the awesome spot of {{word|BRESAOLA}} in Round 13. The last quarter-final between Paul Howe and Jack Welsby was faced with difficult selections but the game finished close and low-scoring, with Paul winning by {{score|83|72}}.
  
−
Heading into the semi-finals were two players from Series 52 and two from Series 54, and naturally the pairings were between series. The first saw a steady scoring affair between Paul Howe and Mark Tournoff, which headed for a crucial conundrum with Tournoff a point to the good. After six seconds, he buzzed with the correct solution to {{word|STUARTFIR}} to take him into the final, leaving Howe disappointed for the second time in just a few weeks. The second semi-final was a battle all fans had been relishing – Gallen vs Travers. With both players making perfect scores in almost every round, including {{word|RITENUTO}} and {{word|HELICONS}}, there was little to separate them; a crucial conundrum seemed inevitable, and indeed it came, with Gallen leading by 108 to 102. Gallen buzzed in almost immediately with the solution to {{word|CHOPLOSER}} to claim the his spot in the final. Incredibly he had dropped just two points ({{word|KETOSIS}} and the DC-beating {{word|CLANGOUR}}.)
+
Heading into the semi-finals were two finalists from [[Series 52]] and two from Series 54, and naturally the pairings were between series. The first saw a steady scoring affair between Paul Howe and Mark Tournoff which headed to the crucial [[conundrum]] but after six seconds, Tournoff buzzed in with the correct solution from {{word|STUARTFIR}} to take himself into the final and leaving Howe disappointed for the second time in just a few weeks. The second semi-final was a battle that fans had been relishing to see – Gallen against Travers. With both players making perfect scores in almost every round (including word spots like {{word|RITENUTO}} and {{word|HELICONS}}), there was little to separate them; a crucial conundrum seemed inevitable and indeed it came, with Gallen leading by {{score|108|102}}. Gallen buzzed in almost immediately with the solution from {{word|CHOPLOSER}} to claim the his spot in the final.
  
−
And so the final would be a repeat of the Series 52 final! Both players started strongly, with finds like {{word|STARFISH}}, {{word|SUNBEAM}} and {{word|CELLARET}}, but Gallen finally opened a lead in Round 12 with the superb pair {{word|TELECOM}} and {{word|DYSPNOEA}}. An impossible numbers game allowed Tournoff to score 7 points and come within striking distance. The game would again be a crucial conundrum! The roller spun to reveal {{word|PRONEPIPE}} and, just as in their previous match, Gallen buzzed quickly – but this time, there could be no mistake, as {{word|PEPPERONI}} gave him the points needed to take championship. Final score: {{score|111|93}} from a possible 118.
+
And so the final became a [[rematch]] of the [[Episode 3840|Series 52 grand final]]. Both players started strongly with finds like {{word|STARFISH}}, {{word|SUNBEAM}} and {{word|CELLARET}} but Gallen finally opened a lead in Round 12 with the superb pair of {{word|TELECOM}} and {{word|DYSPNOEA}}. An impossible last [[numbers game]] allowed Tournoff to score seven points and come within striking distance. The game led to another crucial conundrum; the roller spun to reveal {{word|PRONEPIPE}} and just like in his previous match, Gallen buzzed quickly – but this time, there could be no mistake as {{word|PEPPERONI}} gave him the points to become the twelfth CoC winner. At last, Gallen allowed himself a smile – it was a fitting end to an amazing championship (that also eventually became the last, co-hosted by {{w|Carol Vorderman}}).
−
 
 
−
Gallen at last allowed himself a smile – it was a fitting end to an amazing championship.
 
  
 
==Progress==
 
==Progress==

Revision as of 18:22, 19 July 2026

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Championship of Champions XII
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C of C XII week 1.jpg
Week 1
C of C XII week 2.jpg
Week 2
Series information
First episode 29 May 2006
Last episode 16 June 2006
Highest score 125 (Paul Gallen)
Number of contestants 16
Number of episodes 15
Results
Winner Paul Gallen
Runner-up Mark Tournoff

Championship of Champions XII is remembered as one of the most excellent CoCs that has ever occurred. From 29 May to 16 June 2006, sixteen finalists from Series 49 to 54 were assembled for a knockout showdown. This was also the first Championship of Champions tournament where all the participants were 15-round finalists.

The tournament was originally scheduled after the end of Series 53, but was delayed by the transition of presenters. The original tournament had a slightly different line-up, including Sweyn Kirkness and Stuart Earl, who were replaced by the Series 54 finalists. Another favourite, Series 51 champion Stewart Holden, declined to enter because he was studying the Scrabble dictionary at the time.

The first three games all featured centuries as Mark Tournoff, John Davies and Conor Travers progressed at the expense of Steve Graston, Gary Male and John Hunt respectively. The fourth game saw Jack Welsby make a mere 99 to Jon O'Neill's 94, as they both missed PROSPERED. The onslaught of centuries continued with Paul Howe making 117 against John Mayhew, Paul Gallen taking the tournament's eventual highest score with 125 against Eamonn Timmins, and the first double century game as Chris Cummins' 101 was eventually inadequate to overcome Matthew Shore's 109. The 86 – 48 scoreline when John Brackstone defeated Series 49 runner-up, David Wilson, arguably formed the only weak point of the preliminary rounds.

Eight days in and it did not seem that the tournament could get anyway better: the first quarter-final of Matthew Shore vs. Mark Tournoff was described by Jon O'Neill as "the greatest game of Countdown ever played" — both players spotted two nines and while Shore made a mighty 117, Tournoff made an incredible 124 to take the game. The second quarter-final was less explosive but no less exciting, with John Davies trying to claw back an eighteen-point first round deficit after missing STINGAREE/RESEATING against a ferociously focused Paul Gallen. Gallen held on confidently, running out the winner at 118 – 96. The third quarter-final saw Conor Travers sneak through against John Brackstone by 101 – 80, due to pulling out the awesome spot of BRESAOLA in Round 13. The last quarter-final between Paul Howe and Jack Welsby was faced with difficult selections but the game finished close and low-scoring, with Paul winning by 83 – 72.

Heading into the semi-finals were two finalists from Series 52 and two from Series 54, and naturally the pairings were between series. The first saw a steady scoring affair between Paul Howe and Mark Tournoff which headed to the crucial conundrum but after six seconds, Tournoff buzzed in with the correct solution from STUARTFIR to take himself into the final and leaving Howe disappointed for the second time in just a few weeks. The second semi-final was a battle that fans had been relishing to see – Gallen against Travers. With both players making perfect scores in almost every round (including word spots like RITENUTO and HELICONS), there was little to separate them; a crucial conundrum seemed inevitable and indeed it came, with Gallen leading by 108 – 102. Gallen buzzed in almost immediately with the solution from CHOPLOSER to claim the his spot in the final.

And so the final became a rematch of the Series 52 grand final. Both players started strongly with finds like STARFISH, SUNBEAM and CELLARET but Gallen finally opened a lead in Round 12 with the superb pair of TELECOM and DYSPNOEA. An impossible last numbers game allowed Tournoff to score seven points and come within striking distance. The game led to another crucial conundrum; the roller spun to reveal PRONEPIPE and just like in his previous match, Gallen buzzed quickly – but this time, there could be no mistake as PEPPERONI gave him the points to become the twelfth CoC winner. At last, Gallen allowed himself a smile – it was a fitting end to an amazing championship (that also eventually became the last, co-hosted by Carol Vorderman).

Progress

Mark Tournoff (52) vs Steve Graston (51) Mark Tournoff vs Matthew Shore Mark Tournoff
vs
Paul Howe 		Mark Tournoff
vs
Paul Gallen
Matthew Shore (54) vs Chris Cummins (50)
Jack Welsby (52) vs Jon O'Neill (53) Jack Welsby vs Paul Howe
John Mayhew (53) vs Paul Howe (54)
John Davies (49) vs Gary Male (51) John Davies vs Paul Gallen Paul Gallen
vs
Conor Travers
Paul Gallen (52) vs Eamonn Timmins (50)
Conor Travers (54) vs John Hunt (52) Conor Travers vs John Brackstone
John Brackstone (53) vs David Wilson (49)
The winner of each game is displayed in bold.
The numbers refer to the series in which each contestant originally played in the finals.

Episodes

# Date Type Contestant 1 Score Contestant 2 Presenters Guest Lex Max
4113 29/05/2006 CP Mark Tournoff 119 – 83 Steve Graston Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ron Atkinson Susie Dent 131
4114 30/05/2006 CP John Davies 106 – 73 Gary Male Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ron Atkinson Susie Dent 131
4115 31/05/2006 CP Conor Travers 124 – 91 John Hunt Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ron Atkinson Susie Dent 138
4116 01/06/2006 CP Jack Welsby 99 – 94 Jon O'Neill Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ron Atkinson Susie Dent 134
4117 02/06/2006 CP John Mayhew 87 – 117 Paul Howe Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ron Atkinson Susie Dent 132
4118 05/06/2006 CP John Brackstone 86 – 48 David Wilson Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ann Widdecombe Susie Dent 120
4119 06/06/2006 CP Paul Gallen 125 – 80 Eamonn Timmins Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ann Widdecombe Susie Dent 141
4120 07/06/2006 CP Matthew Shore 109 – 101 Chris Cummins Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ann Widdecombe Susie Dent 131
4121 08/06/2006 CQF Matthew Shore 117 – 124 Mark Tournoff Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ann Widdecombe Susie Dent 139
4122 09/06/2006 CQF Paul Gallen 118 – 96 John Davies Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Ann Widdecombe Susie Dent 127
4123 12/06/2006 CQF Conor Travers 101 – 80 John Brackstone Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Kim Woodburn Susie Dent 130
4124 13/06/2006 CQF Jack Welsby 72 – 83 Paul Howe Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Kim Woodburn Susie Dent 118
4125 14/06/2006 CSF Paul Howe 88 – 99 Mark Tournoff Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Kim Woodburn Susie Dent 126
4126 15/06/2006 CSF Paul Gallen 118 – 102 Conor Travers Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Kim Woodburn Susie Dent 120
4127 16/06/2006 CGF Paul Gallen 111 – 93 Mark Tournoff Des Lynam Carol Vorderman Kim Woodburn Susie Dent 118

External Links

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