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Countdown in Reading
Countdown in Reading, or CO:REA as it is more commonly known, is the name of an annual Countdown tournament held in the town of Reading. It began in 2012, and is organised by Series 64 contestant Tony Atkins. From 2012 to 2018 Martyn Neads was in charge of the letter and numbers board. Lexicographers have been Robert Harman in 2012 and 2013 and Hannah McIntosh since 2014.,
CO:REA is neither organised by nor part of FOCAL.
The 2020 edition was unable to be scheduled for Easter due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2012
The 2012 tournament, CO:REA 2012, took place on Saturday 7th April. It was held at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 26 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 49 & 60 contestant, James Robinson, who beat Series 64 contestant, Dan McColm, in the final, after winning all 5 preliminary games earlier in the day.
2013
The 2013 tournament, CO:REA 2013, took place on Saturday 30th March. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 34 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 65 semi-finalist, Mark Deeks, who beat future Series 68 contestant, Giles Hutchings, in the final by a score of 97 – 91.
2014
The 2014 tournament, CO:REA 2014, took place on Saturday 19th April. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 22 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 66 winner, Jack Worsley, who beat Series 68 winner, Giles Hutchings, in the final by a score of 108 – 93.
2015
The 2015 tournament, CO:REA 2015, took place on Saturday 11th April. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 24 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 66 winner, Jack Worsley, who beat Series 54 winner, Conor Travers, in the final by a score of 117 – 97.
2016
The 2016 tournament, CO:REA 2016, took place on Saturday 26th March. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 16 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 72 winner, Tom Cappleman, who beat Series 74 winner, Paul Erdunast, in the final by a score of 94 – 85.
2017
The 2017 tournament, CO:REA 2017, took place on Saturday 15th April. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 18 contestants, and the competition was won by strong apterite Rob Foster, who beat Series 65 winner, Graeme Cole, in the final by a score of 99 – 67.
2018
The 2018 tournament, CO:REA 2018, took place on Saturday 31st March. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 14 contestants, and the competition was won by Series 65 winner and local resident, Graeme Cole, who beat Series 72 winner, Tom Cappleman, in the final by a score of 129 – 102.
2019
The 2019 tournament, Co:REA 2019, took place on Saturday 20th April. It was held again at Christ Church, in Woodley, just outside Reading. There were 10 contestants, and the competition was won by strong apterite Rob Foster, who beat Series 72 winner, Tom Cappleman, in the final by a score of 96 – 87.
