The results are in and have been counted and verified and after 48 games and over 4320 minutes of football played we can now announce the WINNER.
We have seen tears of joy and tears of laughter, and that was just the entrants of this Comp, and the current World Champions dumped out following their first major failings for decades.
116 goals so far with 18 coming from the penalty spot, and 6 missed, and 9 own goals and a controversial VAR system helping to decide certain games.
Almost a 1000 fouls have produced 158 yellow cards and 3 players seeing red.
Most interesting facts though are SPAIN, my initial tip before a ball was kicked, stretched their unbeaten run to 23 games and BELGIUM stretched theirs to 21 games even after the farcical game against the 3 toothless Lions.
Back to the results and going into the last 4 games it couldn't have been any closer and the first game saw Lindsey McKenzie retake the lead with her correct result as Debbie Regan drew a blank.
Abbie Curtis also predicted the correct result and she kept up the pressure with her 3 points whilst Bonnie Wilson fired a blank. Steve Parish netted one point but Co worker Jim Masterton also failed to make an impact .
Heidi Bradley also shot herself in the foot allowing Rob West to overtake her with his 3 points.
3rd game from the end and disaster for the top 4 as they all failed to score and Rob West added another point to his tally to 39.
2nd game from the end and again Debbie Regan swerved the points as did Bonnie Wilson. Lindsey McKenzie and Abbie Curtis bagged a point a piece whilst Rob West stuttered with zero.
The FINAL game saw everything change AND MORE!
Lindsey McKenzie hit the bar with zero return .Bonnie Wilson hit her 4th zero in a row, Abbie Curtis notched a zero and Rob West picked up another vital point.
Heidi Bradley picked up 3 points but it was too little too late whilst Debbie Regan left it late but she also took 3 points to EQUAL the score at the top.
So, with Lindsey McKenzie and Debbie Regan both on 43 points, from a possible 144, the Competition had to be decided on the Tie Breaker question!!!!!!!
Drum roll..........................
Lindsey McKenzie!
Runner up Debbie Regan
Third Place Rob West
Many thanks to all who entered and hope that you all found it as enjoyable to follow as I did putting it all together and not forgetting the great cause you have all supported. Here's looking forward to the next one and.....................COME ON ENGLAND!
My "Unofficial" score sheet read a total of 36 points. Here are all your scores and the FINAL TABLE.
Lindsey McKenzie 43
Debbie Regan 43
Rob West 40
Abbie Curtis 39
Alan Paterson 39
Heidi Bradley 39
Bonnie Wilson 38
Carol Harper 38
Philip Smith 38
Sam Smith 38
Chris Dicotteo 36
Don Souter 36
Steve Parish 36
John Harris 35
John Smith 35
Paul Smith 35
Chris Maurier 34
Jim Masterton 34
Skip Schultz 34
Diane Dicotteo 33
Jenny Mussell 33
Brian Harper 32
Frank Maurier 32
P Dolby 32
Tracey Burns 31
Chris Mallender 31
Madeline 31
John Nolan 31
Ollie Swallow 31
Andrew Blades 30
Leanne Swallow 30
Gareth Bland 30
Steve Skinner 30
Callie Nolan 29
M Foster Smith 29
Iaan Wilson 29
Chris Lefler 29
Theresa Philips 28
Daniel Smith 28
Alfie Washington 28
Richard Jones 27
Gina Boakes 27
Roxanna Britton 27
Rachel Plaskitt 27
Dave Bass 26
Helen Souter 26
Kala 26
Rob Gallant 26
Richard Nunn 26
Jenny Cobley 25
Emma Hurst 25
Keiron 24
Malisa Brewill 24
Jacob Spender 23
Jimmy Browne 23
Ali Lefler 22
Vicki 8Hair 21
Angie Coddington 20
Tim Lefler 20
D Dolby 19
It's the FINAL COUNTDOWN, yes and I can just hear you all singing it too!
What a difference a day makes, wow, another song there somewhere and most of you humming that one too.
Well, as we go into the penultimate and Final day of the Competition, which I must say has been a tremendous contest throughout and will remain so right up to the final whistle of tomorrows games at approximately 8.55pm GMT.
Unfortunately I shall miss the last 4 games due to work commitments until 6pm and then straight to Band Practice because of my dedication to the Band or the fact that I need more practice than everyone else mmmm.
Anyway, with the final 12 points up for grabs I find it incredible that 32 entrants out of 60 can still top the table and 39/60 can still make the top 3, proving what a close and exciting Competition this has been and may I thank you all for your support.
The BIG NEWS is............................
..............................
We have a new leader of the pack with Debbie Regan topping the table at Limagrain and overall with her 40 point haul. leaving closest Co worker rival Alan Paterson 3 points behind in her wake.
Long term leader Lindsey McKenzie from Imperial keeps up the pressure on 39 points and leads her closest rival by just one point as Bonnie Wilson suffers a hiccup on 38.
Carol Harper has put herself in with a great shout with her 37 points{ I hear a symphony} and daft as it sounds MD Brian can still top the lot on his current 29 points.
Philip Smith also sits on 37 points and then a glut of entrants sit on 35 ,including highest mover since last count Sam Smith. Others include Chairman Rob West, Heidi Bradley Cleethorpes Band and England Athletics, and Abbie Curtis and Steve Parish both from Imperial .
Chris Dicotteo from 8Hair Salon is still in the main chair on 34 and with Diane just 5 points adrift they too still keep in the running. Also sharing 34 points are 2 more from Imperial in John Harris and Jim Masterton.
The rest I will leave you to work out as I need some sleep!!
TABLE WITH 4 GAMES REMAINING
Debbie Regan 40
Lindsey McKenzie 39
Bonnie Wilson 38
Alan Paterson 37
Carol Harper 37
Philip Smith 36
Abbie Curtis 35
Heidi Bradley 35
Steve Parish 35
Sam Smith 35
Rob West 35
Chris Dicotteo 34
Jim Masterton 34
John Harris 34
John Smith 32
Don Souter 32
Skip Schultz 32
Jenny Mussell 32
Paul Smith 32
Chris Maurier 31
John Nolan 30
M Foster Smith 29
Diane Dicotteo 29
Ollie Swallow 29
Brian Harper 29
Chris Mallender 29
Madeline 29
Frank Maurier 29
Gareth Bland 28
Steve Skinner 28
Theresa Philips 28
Callie Nolan 28
Tracey Burns 27
P Dolby 27
Iaan Wilson 26
Andrew Blades 26
Daniel Smith 26
Alfie Washington 26
Richard Jones 26
Gina Boakes 25
Dave Bass 25
Chris Lefler 25
Leanne Swallow 25
Helen Souter 25
Roxanna Britton 24
Emma Hurst 24
Kala 24
Rob Gallant 23
Richard Nunn 23
Keiron 23
Jenny Cobley 22
Jimmy Browne 22
Rachel Plaskitt 22
Ali Lefler 21
Malisa Brewill 21
Tim Lefler 21
Angie Coddington 20
Jacob Spender 20
D Dolby 19
Vicki 8Hair 18
Just 2 days to go and after 40 games and a possible 120 points we go into the final 8 games with the leader on just 37 points.
The previous 10 games proved very difficult for almost everyone, with very little scoring throughout the entrants. In fact the Spain draw was only predicted by Skip Schultz and Theresa Phillips and the Portugal draw saw just Jenny Mussell profit from it with 3 points.
Now, going into the final 8 games, it is so close a competition that there are so many still in with a chance which is great and will probably go down to the last seconds of the last 2 games, one of which I suspect some of you will NOT be cheering an England win. How dare you !!!
BIG NEWS is that long term Competition leader Lindsey McKenzie has finally been caught........................
That has been an epic battle at Imperial and Bonnie has now put the gauntlet down and hopes to motor past her rival.Keeping up the pressure on those 2 is Abbie Curtis on 34 points and Steve Parish on 32. Skip Schultz has leaped up there on 31 points and keeps his name in the mix. The others are too well in with a chance with a possible 24 points available to notch.
The big battle at LImagrain sees long term leader jet off on holiday probably not knowing that Alan Paterson has finally caught her and they both lie third overall on 36 points with closest rival Jenny Mussell on a very respectable 30 points and again still in with a chance.
Carol Harper keeps her name in the fray at the top on 32 points as MD Brian slips further back on 27 points and it looks like she will have to go solo once more unless Brian switches his baton for a "Magic wand".
Heidi Bradley leads the England Athletics crew with some excellent scoring , leaving John Harris now 2 points behind . Heidi now shares 33 points with Band Chairman Rob West.
At 8Hair it's Chris who leads the way and on 32 points has opened 5 point gap over Diane to keep his chances of top spot overall well alive. Come on Vicki there's still time as she sits on 16 points.
Philip Smith heads their clan and on 35 points is right up amongst the overall leaders. He is now being pressed by Sam and John who both share 31 points.
Ollie Swallow has opened a 5 point gap over Sister Leanne with his 27 points.
Still everything to play for and still very interesting .I certainly wouldn't like to make any predictions for the overall result as my own "unofficial" sheet reads 32 points so far. What is good is the fact that from a possible 120 points so far the leader has 37 points and with 24 points left to play for EVERY single person can still win the whole Competition. Crazy but true!
Table with 8 games remaining.
Lindsey McKenzie 37
Bonnie Wilson 37
Debbie Regan 36
Alan Paterson 36
Philip Smith 35
Abbie Curtis 34
Heidi Bradley 33
Rob West 33
Chris Dicotteo 32
Carol Harper 32
Jim Masterton 32
Steve Parish 32
John Harris 31
John Smith 31
Don Souter 31
Sam Smith 31
Skip Schultz 31
Jenny Mussell 30
Paul Smith 30
M Foster Smith 28
Diane Dicotteo 27
Chris Maurier 27
Ollie Swallow 27
Brian Harper 27
Gareth Bland 27
Steve Skinner 27
Theresa Philips 27
Chris Mallender 27
Madeline 27
Callie Nolan 26
John Nolan 26
Iaan Wilson 26
Andrew Blades 25
Frank Maurier 25
P Dolby 25
Daniel Smith 24
Alfie Washington 24
Gina Boakes 24
Dave Bass 24
Roxanna Britton 24
Richard Jones 24
Chris Lefler 23
Helen Souter 23
Tracey Burns 23
Rob Gallant 22
Leanne Swallow 22
Richard Nunn 22
Keiron 21
Emma Hurst 21
Jimmy Browne 21
Rachel Plaskitt 21
Ali Lefler 20
Jenny Cobley 20
Kala 20
Malisa Brewill 19
Tim Lefler 19
Angie Coddington 18
D Dolby 18
Jacob Spender 18
Vicki 8Hair 16
Things are really hotting up now, and not just the weather, as we enter the last 14 fixtures.
Just as Portugal and Spain are just about to kick off in today's earlier games a 94th minute winner by Saudi Arabia scuppered a few result predictions and the table could have read so much different.
The biggest battle continues at Imperial and Lindsey McKenzie continues to lead the whole Competition on 34 points,however it's all the girls making the headlines as Bonnie Wilson leaps up to 33 points and Abbie Curtis snapping on 32 points. Jim Masterton lies on 30 points closely followed by Steve Parish on 28 points and Skip Schultz finding his rhythm right up there on 27 points, one point ahead of Gareth Bland.
In the other hot battle at Limagrain Debbie Regan has been finally caught by the productive Alan Paterson and not only do they share 32 points but they also share equal 3rd place overall. Jenny Mussell keeps amongst it on 24 points and now just one point in front of Dave Bass. Tracey Burns keeps them in her sights on 22 points and pulls away from Rachel Plaskitt on 17 points.
Meanwhile , in the 8 Hair Salon Chris has the bragging rights with his 28 points, keeping him amongst the Competition leaders, and Diane is still in the frame with 26 points. Vicki needs to turn the tide with her 14 point haul.
John Harris continues to lead the England Athletics team on 30 points but Heidi Bradley is breathing heavily down his neck on 29 points so will he give up the baton I wander? Chris Mallender sits on 22 points with Emma Hurst on 20.
Rob West will not want to return from his holiday as his score has rocketed and now sits on 31 points, right up there with the leaders. One point behind him is Don Souter who now leads Wife Helen by 8 points.
Another great battle, this time in the Smith household, sees John and Philip up in the heights of the Leaders on 30 points a piece , closely followed by Sam and M Foster Smith on 25 points. Madeline continues to make good progress on 23 points a point in front of Daniel.
Chris Lefler leads Lefler Towers on 20 points whilst Father Tim toys with Wife Ali both on 16 points after Tim seemed to have finally made his move, although they are both 1 point ahead of Jimmy.
John Nolan has finally caught Callie and they both share 24 points whilst Kala has 18 and sandwiched between those is Keiron on 20.
Gina Boakes continues to play cat and mouse with Iaan Wilson as they again swap places with Iaan now on 24 and Gina on 23.
Ollie Swallow has opened up a 6 point gap over Sister Leanne and he now sits on 26.
Rob Gallant is 1 point ahead of Richard Jones with his 22 point haul whilst Richard Nunn sits on 20.
Jenny Cobley has overtaken Malisa Brewill on 19 and 18 points respectively.
MD Brian Harper has cut into Wife Carol's lead and a very close battle gets very interesting once more with 28 and 25 points respectively.
Chris Maurier leads Brother Frank by just 2 points now on 26.
Thursday Night sees the final 2 games of the Competition with England in action in one of them.
As I will be at Band Practice and then an early start on Friday morning until 6pm the Final result may be revealed on Friday Evening/Saturday morning.
Good luck to everyone !
TABLE NOT including Portugal or Spain results.
Lindsey McKenzie 34
Bonnie Wilson 33
Debbie Regan 32
Abbie Curtis 32
Alan Paterson 32
Rob West 31
John Harris 30
Philip Smith 30
John Smith 30
Don Souter 30
Jim Masterton 30
Heidi Bradley 29
Carol Harper 28
Chris Dicotteo 28
Steve Parish 28
Skip Schultz 27
Diane Dicotteo 26
Chris Maurier 26
Paul Smith 26
Ollie Swallow 26
Brian Harper 25
M Foster Smith 25
Sam Smith 25
Jenny Mussell 24
Callie Nolan 24
John Nolan 24
Iaan Wilson 24
Andrew Blades 24
Frank Maurier 24
Gareth Bland 24
Gina Boakes 23
Steve Skinner 23
Dave Bass 23
Madeline 23
Daniel Smith 22
Tracey Burns 22
Chris Mallender 22
Rob Gallant 22
Helen Souter 22
Richard Jones 21
Emma Hurst 20
Leanne Swallow 20
Chris Lefler 20
Richard Nunn 20
Alfie Washington 19
Jenny Cobley 19
Theresa Philips 19
P Dolby 19
Kala 18
Malisa Brewill 18
Roxanna Britton 18
Rachel Plaskitt 17
D Dolby 17
Ali Lefler 16
Tim Lefler 16
Angie Coddington 15
Jacob Spender 15
Jimmy Browne 15
Vicki 8Hair 14
When Leanne put England to win 5-0 against Panama in the band room I can't remember how many people were laughing at her. Well NOT ANY MORE! 5-0 at half time as I type!
With 29 games played and 19 remaining the Competition is really hotting up and not just in the ENGLAND camp. Lindsey McKenzie has lead the way for Imperial but Debbie Regan from Limagrain now shares top spot on 31 points.
Then, things get really interesting because no less than 37 others have 20 or more points to keep up the pressure and the growing interest.
Alan Paterson from Limagrain is now snapping at their heels on 30 points and then 5 people share 29 points with things changing with every game played.
Philip Smith on 29 points leads his household, closely followed by John on 27 and Sam and M Foster Smith on 24 points. Madeline has doubled her score since last count on 20 points to keep her in the running.
In the England Athletics entries John Harris and Emma Hurst share 29 points with Heidi Bradley shooting up to 28 points.
A great battle continues at Imperial with leader Lindsey McKenzie on 31 being pressed all the way with Jim Masterton and Abbie Curtis now sharing 29 points, Bonnie Wilson on 28, Steve Parish on 26 and then Skip Schultz, Andrew Blades, Steve Skinner, and Angie Coddington all sharing 22 points.
Chairman Rob West has had a great few days and he too has 29 points.
Carol Harper keeps amongst the leaders on 27 points leaving MD Brian still 5 points adrift on 22 points. One point ahead of Carol sees Band Sargent Don Souter on 28 points, nine points ahead of Wife Helen.
Diane and Chris at 8 Hair Salon keep themselves in a great position on 24 points a piece whilst Vicki moves up to 14 points.
Chris Maurier on 25 points leads Brother Frank on 20 points whilst Rob Gallant drums up 21 points.
Gina Boaks on 21 points leads friend Iaan Wilson by one point whilst Malisa Brewill shares 17 points with Jenny Cobley.
Chris Lefler and Jimmy Browne on 17 points lead their clan but as I said before beware of Tim as he has started to make his move and will try to pick them off one by one.First victim to fall is Wife Ali on 14 as Tim now shares 15 points with Chris.
Callie heads her home on 22 points with Dad John 2 points behind and Mum kala now 7 points behind with Keiron on 17 points.
Things getting very interesting and some great battles continuing and still everything to play for.
Bye for now back to ENGLAND second half!