Showing posts with label Rock Paper Scissors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock Paper Scissors. Show all posts

Friday, August 11, 2023

Janken: The International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012

A look back at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London.


We competed in the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London eleven years ago this week. Time certainly flies!

We teamed up with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Dave Barry and his daughter Sophie from the USA to take part in the huge event.

The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team at the Rock Paper Scissors International in London
The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team

More than 150 athletes from 16 teams competed in the Wacky Nation organised tournament held at the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London.

As we couldn’t play as a combined "UK-USA" team we decided to represent the plucky nation of San Marino instead.

Prior to the start of the competition I challenged football hard man Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock to a 'friendly' RPS contest to warm-up. Needless to say I won the shootout! It was an ill-tempered clash with plenty of foul language and gamesmanship. The heated battle almost resulted in a knock-out punch too!

International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012
Clash of the titans

International Rock Paper Scissors

Matches in the Round Robin stage of the main-event were played in a ‘first to four points’ format with each player in the team taking it in turns to win a point by competing in a ‘best of three’ Rock Paper Scissors game. Our team managed to rack up a win loss record of won four, lost one.

Before any teams could advance from our pool a play-off was required as Austria and Lapland A had also finished with four wins and one loss!

Thankfully our team was able to win both matches to advance alongside Lapland A, with the Austrians sent home.

The first semi-final saw San Marino take on the Vatican City team in a ‘first to six points’ match.

Unfortunately we lost and were therefore unable to go for gold.

Sadly we just missed out on the podium, suffering defeat to Great Britain in the repechage to ultimately finish in fourth place.

The final was a battle between the might of Lapland A and the Vatican City, with the Laplanders finishing on top and grabbing the gold medal.

Getting to the semi-finals of the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships was the furthest I ever reached in an RPS tournament, having been knocked out in the preliminary rounds of national competitions held in 2010 and 2011.

Monday, August 10, 2020

International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012

Looking back at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London.


We competed in the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London eight years ago this week. Time flies.

International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012
International Janken action

We teamed up with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Dave Barry and his daughter Sophie from the USA to take part in the huge event.

The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships
The San Marino Rock Paper Scissors team

More than 150 athletes from 16 teams competed in the Wacky Nation organised tournament held at the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London.

As we couldn’t play as a combined "UK-USA" team we decided to represent the plucky nation of San Marino instead.

Prior to the start of the competition I challenged football hard man Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock to a 'friendly' RPS contest to warm-up. Needless to say I won the shootout! It was an ill-tempered clash with plenty of foul language and gamesmanship. The heated battle almost resulted in a knock-out punch too!

International Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2012
Clash of the titans

International Rock Paper Scissors

Matches in the Round Robin stage of the main-event were played in a ‘first to four points’ format with each player in the team taking it in turns to win a point by competing in a ‘best of three’ Rock Paper Scissors game. Our team managed to rack up a win loss record of won four, lost one.

Before any teams could advance from our pool a play-off was required as Austria and Lapland A had also finished with four wins and one loss!

Thankfully our team was able to win both matches to advance alongside Lapland A, with the Austrians sent home.

The first semi-final saw San Marino take on the Vatican City team in a ‘first to six points’ match.

Unfortunately we lost and were therefore unable to go for gold.

Sadly we just missed out on the podium, suffering defeat to Great Britain in the repechage to ultimately finish in fourth place.

The final was a battle between the might of Lapland A and the Vatican City, with the Laplanders finishing on top and grabbing the gold medal.

Getting to the semi-finals of the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships was the furthest I ever reached in an RPS tournament having been knocked out in the preliminary rounds of national competitions held in 2010 and 2011.

The perfect socially distanced sport?

Thinking about it, Rock Paper Scissors could be the perfect sport to play in these time of social distancing.

As a non-contact sport it's played by opponents standing apart from each other. The distance between them could be increased to 2 metres or more, they could wear PPE without impairing their throws and/or a protective screen could be placed between the two players.

If anyone ever fancies a game of Rock Paper Scissors via a video call do let me know...

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2015

The date and venue for the 2015 edition of the UK Rock Paper Scissors Championship have been announced!

This year the popular sporting contest will be taking place on Saturday 21 November at the Green Man Pub in London.

Richard Gottfried facing Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in a warm-up match at the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in 2012
Facing Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in a warm-up match at the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in 2012

For more information check out the Wacky Nation website and UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships Facebook page.

Emily and I have competed in a number of RPS contests organised by the team at Wacky Nation. Our best performance was in the International Rock Paper Scissors Team Championships in 2012 when, along with two team-mates from the USA, we represented San Marino and finished fourth!

The 'wildcard' team from San Marino at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London. From l-r Richard Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, Sophie Barry, Dave Barry
The 'wildcard' team from San Marino at the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London. From l-r Richard Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, Sophie Barry, Dave Barry

Related blog posts:
- Rock Paper Scissors

Links:
- Wacky Nation
- UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Rock, Paper, Scissors at the World Alternative Games

Rock, Paper, Scissors competition to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Monday 11th August.

The upcoming World Alternative Games will feature a Rock, Paper, Scissors competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales in the PM session of Monday 11th August the Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament ('Pencampw riaeth Carreg Papur Siswrn' in Welsh) is an Open event where everyone can compete on the same level and one person will become the Corinthian Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion.

We're big fans of Rock, Paper, Scissors and have competed in many of the Wacky Nation RPS events over the years. In 2012 we were fourth (as San Marino)  in the International Team Rock, Paper, Scissors Championships in London.

Facing off against Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match in 2012!

To register to take part in the Rock, Paper, Scissors event, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
- Wacky Nation website
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Friday, February 28, 2014

UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2014

Date announced for the 2014 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships.

The team at Wacky Nation have announced that this year's UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships will take place on Saturday 4th of October at the Green Man Pub, Central London!

Entries are now open and will see 128 athletes battle it out to be the UK's numero one best Janken player.

Emily and I have competed in a number of Wacky Nation RPS events and have always found the organised chaos to be great fun.

UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships 2014
Richard Gottfried (San Marino) takes on his arch-nemesis in RPS Neil 'Razor' Ruddock (Man Lab) in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match in 2012

The UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships will take place from 6 til 10pm on Saturday 4th of October you can currently register for early bird tickets to compete in the 8th annual spectacular on the Eventbrite page.

More details can be found on the UK Rock Paper scissors Facebook page and website, and over at the Wacky Nation site.

Rock Paper Scissors Fact - If you come from Woking, Surrey you stand a very good chance of winning the event. Ask Max Deeley if you don't believe me.


Links:

Friday, December 13, 2013

Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London

Emily ‘Lemony Lems’ Gottfried wins the World Boules Le Noël Champignon title.


On Thursday 12th December 2013 a group of Minigolfers met for the traditional Christmas ‘Do’ in London.

In previous years the festive shenanigans have seen the athletes competing in Minigolf, Darts, Golf Simulation and Putting. This year’s tournament would be in the fine French sport of Pétanque.

The eight competitors met at the excellent Knights Templar Wetherspoon pub on Chancery Lane (itself the host venue to the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships and the 2011 Sportingbet UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships), a venue ideally located as it was next door but one to the location of the Boules Piste at Baranis.

However, prior to the Pétanque action dinner was on the cards and so the group headed on a twenty minute amble to Clerkenwell for a slap-up Vietnamese meal at the excellent Pho Cafe. A great restaurant with excellent service, very tasty food, lots of gluten free options and big portions.

The Shenanigan gang in their best bib and tucker at Pho

With a short trip to Cambridgeshire (by visiting Ye Olde Mitre Tavern in Hatton Garden) on the way back to Baranis the players were ready to play some Boules.

Drinking an Absinthe Cocktail was perhaps not the best idea for Squire who crashed out in round one. The Cocktails seemed to do the trick for Jon though as he didn't lose until the final

With a few late withdrawals from the tournament, and the potential attendance of Mr Christmas himself Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd, the draw-master Trevor ‘Trevino Smeeth’ Robertson set about with the draw for the quarter-finals of the “World Boules Le Noël Champignonship”.

The night's losers

The first match saw Jon ‘The Stance’ Angel play Trevor ‘Cheddar’ Robertson in a first to three-points contest. A closely fought affair saw Trevor stay true to form and become the first player eliminated from the tournament as John won 3-2.

Trevino bouleing at the 'Le Jacque'

The second contest saw Keith ‘Doc’ Kellard whitewashed by Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson 3-0. This freed up Keith to take up refereeing duties for the rest of the evening.

Keith Kellard got whitewashed in the Petanque, but at least gets a photo of him in action in this blog post

Match three saw Emily ‘Lems’ Gottfried destroy Alan ‘Not so Stormin’ Norman 4-0 in the biggest win of the quarter finals.

The final match of the opening round saw shenanigan organiser ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried drawn to play Chris ‘Stretch’ Jones. In a match that went to the wire a loose boule by Gottfried allowed Stretch to pick up a total of four points to Squire’s two and move into the semi-finals.

Squire Petanqueing

Semi-final one saw Jonathon Angle against Martin Robertson in a first to four-point match. With Martin looking to smash Angel into the gravel of the Piste by taking a three-one lead some amazing Pétanqueing by Jon saw him score three-points in one end to take the win 4-3.

The second semi-final was a short match indeed as Emily battled Chris. In the second end Lemony scored three points to take the win 4-0.

The dusty shoed referees make a decision

So, the La Grande Final was to be a battle between the two shortest competitors, with Jon 'Johnny Foreigner' Angel to play Madame Lemony in a first to six-points contest.

With Monsieur Angel qualifying for the final first he had the honour of throwing first. The match was so close it was impossible to predict who would win and with the score level at four apiece an impromptu one-throw of Rock Paper Scissors was needed to see who would throw first in the next end. Angel won with a throw of scissors to Gottfried’s paper and so the match built to its conclusion.

In the final end of the tournament Madame Lemony threw some cracking shots and took the win and overall tournament victory with a 6-4 scoreline.

Lemony receives the Tiara, earrings and a big kiss off of Chris Jones! Ooh la la

Having won the big night out Emily was the unfortunate recipient of the prize – that had been specifically procured with what was thought to be Brad’s inevitable victory in mind.

The losing finalist John Angle

And so, another year’s Christmas ‘do’ drawing close the players began to concoct ideas of how to topple Lems from her lofty perch atop the world of crazy Minigolfer’s side-tournaments. With one potential option being some Ping Pong.

A beret wearing Emily - winner of the Grand Final of Boules

But the night wasn’t yet over, as there was time left on the Piste the Repechage competition could begin!

Each of the losing seven players could earn the chance for a shot at glory by winning “La Conférence".

In match one of The Plate bracket first round loser ‘Pernod’ Ricard Gottfried defeated Keith ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper’ Kellard 1-0.

Alan ‘The Shark’ Norman beat Trevino Smeethino 1-0 in the other Plate semi-final to set-up a final match with the Squire. In the thrilling end of play Norman stormed to victory 1-0.

In The Shield competition between the two losing semi-finalists Chris ‘Red Wine’ Jones beat Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson 1-0 to progress to La Conférence final.

The best of the worst title final was won in fine fashion by Alain who was able to pick up a 1-0 win against ‘Ooh la la’ Chris Jones.

As the official languages of sport are English and French please see below for a hastily translated version of the above report en Français.

Rapport annuel de la malice de Noël Do de la Minigolfer à Londres

Emily ‘Lemony Lems’ Gottfried remporte le titre Mondial de Pétanque Le Noël Champignon.


Le Jeudi 12 Décembre 2013, un groupe de Minigolfers s'est réuni pour la traditionnelle 'Do' Noël à Londres.

Dans les années précédentes, les manigances de fête ont vu les athlètes dans Minigolf, fléchettes , simulation de golf et putting. Le tournoi de cette année serait de l'amende sport français de pétanque.

Les huit concurrents réunis au pub excellents Templiers Wetherspoon sur Chancery Lane (lui-même le lieu d'accueil pour les Rock Paper Scissors Championnats Internationaux de 2012 et les Sportingbet Royaume-Uni Rock Paper Scissors Championnats 2011), un lieu idéalement situé car il était à côté mais à l'emplacement de la pétanque Piste à Baranis.

Toutefois , avant l'action dîner Pétanque était sur les cartes et si le groupe dirigé sur vingt minutes amble à Clerkenwell pour un repas vietnamien slap-up à l'excellent Pho Café. Un grand restaurant avec un excellent service, très savoureux, beaucoup de plats sans gluten et de grandes portions.

Le gang tromperie dans leur meilleur dossard et tucker à Pho

Avec un court voyage à Cambridgeshire (en visitant Ye Olde Mitre Tavern à Hatton Garden) sur le chemin du retour à Baranis les joueurs étaient prêts à jouer quelques boules.

Boire un cocktail d'absinthe était peut-être pas la meilleure idée pour Squire qui s'est écrasé au premier tour. Les Cocktails semblaient faire l'affaire pour Jon même si, comme il n'a pas perdu jusqu'à la finale

Avec quelques retraits fin du tournoi , et la présence potentielle de M. Noël lui-même Brad "Le Poing" Shepherd, le tirage au sort maître Trevor ' Trevino Smeeth ' Robertson mis sur le tirage au sort des quarts de finale de la "World pétanque Le Noël Champignonship".

Les perdants de la nuit

Le premier match a vu Jon 'Le Stance' Angel jouer le ‘Cheddar’ Robertson Trevor dans un premier concours de trois points. Une affaire très serrée vu Trevor rester fidèle à former et devenir le premier joueur éliminé du tournoi que John a gagné 3-2.

Trevino bouleing au 'Le Jacque'

Le deuxième concours a vu Keith 'Doc' Kellard blanchi par Martin ‘Smashing' Robertson 3-0. Cette libéré Keith pour assumer des fonctions d'arbitrage pour le reste de la soirée.

Keith Kellard s'est blanchie à la chaux dans la pétanque, mais au moins reçoit une photo de lui en action dans ce blog

Match à trois a vu Emily ‘Lems’ Gottfried détruire Alan 'Pas si Stormin’ Norman 4-0 dans la plus grande victoire des quarts de finale.

Le dernier match de la manche d'ouverture a vu la tromperie organisateur ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried tiré à jouer Chris 'Stretch' Jones. Dans un match qui est allé au fil d'un terrain de pétanque en vrac par Gottfried autorisés extensible pour ramasser un total de quatre points à Squire deux et de passer en demi-finale.

Squire Pétanqueing

Une demi-finale a vu Jonathon Angle contre Martin Robertson dans un premier à quatre points correspondance. Avec Martin cherche à briser ange dans le gravier de la piste en prenant un trois-un conduit certains Pétanqueing étonnant par Jon a vu marquer trois points dans une fin pour remporter la victoire 4-3.

La deuxième demi-finale était un match court en effet que Emily a lutté contre Chris. Dans la seconde extrémité Lemony a marqué trois points pour prendre la victoire 4-0.

Les arbitres ferrés poussiéreux prendre une décision

Donc, La Grande finale devait être une bataille entre les deux concurrents les plus courtes , avec Johnny Foreigner Angel Jon jouer madame Lemony dans un premier concours de six points.

Avec Monsieur Ange qualification pour la finale d'abord, il a eu l'honneur de lancer en premier. Le match était si proche qu'il était impossible de prédire qui va gagner et avec le niveau de partition à quatre chacun un impromptu d'un coup de Rock Paper Scissors est nécessaire pour voir qui jettent la première fois dans la fin prochaine. Ange a gagné avec un coup de ciseaux à papier de Gottfried et si le match a construit à sa conclusion.

En fin de finale du tournoi Mme Lemony jeté quelques coups de craquage et a remporté la victoire et la victoire finale de tournoi avec un score de 6-4.

Lemony reçoit le diadème, boucles d'oreilles et un gros bisou hors de Chris Jones! Ooh la la

Après avoir remporté le grand soir Emily a été la malheureuse récipiendaire du prix – qui avait été spécifiquement acquis avec ce qui a été pensé pour être la victoire inévitable de Brad à l'esprit.

Un béret portant Emily - vainqueur de la Grande Finale de Pétanque

Et oui, Noël une autre année 'ne' se rapprochant les joueurs ont commencé à concocter des idées sur la façon de renverser Lems de son perchoir au sommet du monde de side- tournois de fou Minigolfer. Avec une option de potentiel étant certains de ping-pong.

Mais la nuit n'était pas encore terminée , car il y avait de temps sur la piste de la concurrence repêchage pourrait commencer !

Chacun des sept joueurs perdants pourraient gagner la chance pour un coup à la gloire en remportant "La Conférence".

En correspondre à un des Support de plaque premier perdant tour de Pernod Ricard Gottfried défait Keith 'Red Hot Chilli Pepper' Kellard 1-0.

Alan ‘The Shark’ Norman battu Trevino Smeethino 1-0 dans la plaque autre demi-finale à mettre en place un dernier match avec le Squire. En fin palpitante du jeu Norman a pris d'assaut à la victoire 1-0.

Dans La compétition Shield entre les deux demi-finalistes perdants Jones Chris 'Vin Rouge' a battu Martin ' Smashing ' Robertson 1-0 pour passer à la Conférence finale.

Le meilleur du pire titre final a été remporté de belle façon par Alain qui était capable de ramasser une victoire de 1-0 contre les ‘Ooh la la’ Chris Jones.

Fin.

Crazy Golfers Christmas Do/Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith Kellard & Jon Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links:
- The Knights Templar
- Pho Cafe
- Baranis
- English Pétanque Association

Related blog posts:
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- PetanquePétanque
- Boules
- Rock Paper Scissors

Friday, August 16, 2013

Date of the 2013 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships Announced!

2013 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships to take place in London on the 23rd of November!

The date for the 2013 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships has been announced! The big event will be taking place on Saturday 23rd of November.

Taking place at the Knights Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London, the three hour UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships will see 250 competitors battle it out for the top prize of UK Champ, a trophy and £100 in prize money.

Emily and I have competed in a number of the Wacky Nation organised Rock Paper Scissors tournaments and always found them great fun. In the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships our team finished fourth, losing to Great Britain in the bronze medal match (we were San Marino).

Photo from the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championship in London
Taking on football legend Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in a 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match!


You can find out more about the 2013 event on the UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships and Wacky Nation websites.

Links:

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

International Rock Paper Scissors Championship on BBC Two!

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament to feature on James May’s Man Lab on BBC Two this Thursday.

Be sure to tune-in to BBC Two tomorrow (Thursday 4th of April 2013) at 8pm to see the fast-paced and action-packed sport of Rock Paper Scissors on the latest episode of James May’s Man Lab

The hour-long show features James May and his team of Man Lab assistants taking on an array of wacky challenges and building interesting and useful inventions, all with the aim of helping modern man regain the vital skills that are in danger of dying out!

In the episode James teams up with football hardman Neil 'Razor' Ruddock and the UK's top RPS'er Max Deeley - the 2011 UK RPS Champion - in a field of 150 players representing 16 countries!

Photo from the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championship in London
Taking on football legend and member of the Man Lab team, Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match at the event last year!

The Rock Paper Scissors Championship feature was filmed at last summer’s Wacky Nation International Rock Paper Scissors Championships held at the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London. At the event our team – San Marino(!) – finished just off the podium in fourth place, having lost in the bronze medal match to Great Britain.

Do keep an out to see if you can spot me or Emily on the programme!

Later in the current series of James May’s Man Lab there will also be a feature on my hometown of Abingdon-on-Thames’ tradition of Bun Throwing, where the Man Lab team helped out in an attempt to get the currant buns to the back of the market place from the roof of the old county hall!

Links:

Related Blog Posts:

Friday, August 10, 2012

Report from the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships

Our “Wildcard” team from San Marino finish 4th!

On Thursday 9th August Emily and I headed to the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London as it was the host venue for the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships organised by the team at Wacky Nation!

We’ve competed in the 2010 and 2011 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships and the event is always a great sporting and drinking occasion.

With over 150 athletes in 16 teams representing a range of countries including Lapland, Austria, Japan and Great Britain, Emily and I teamed-up with fellow ‘wildcards’ Dave and Sophie Barry from the USA. As we couldn’t play as a combined "UK-USA" team we decided to represent San Marino!


The team from San Marino!

The Wacky Nation Rock Paper Scissors Championships attract a great deal of media attention and BBC 2’s James May and his Man Lab team had enlisted the help of 2011 UK RPS Champion Max Deeley. For some reason their team also included football hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock!

Prior to the start of the competition I challenged ‘Razor’ to a friendly RPS contested to warm-up. Needless to say I won the one-throw shootout! It was an ill-tempered clash with plenty of foul language, gamesmanship and it almost resulted in a knock-out punch!


Richard Gottfried faces Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match!

Neil 'Razor' Ruddock wasn't too pleased in losing to me in a Rock Paper Scissors match!

With the main event drawing ever closer the teams were divided into two pools and commenced with a series of Round Robin matches. Our team of Sammarinese players were in a division that also consisted of Lapland A, Austria, Japan, South Sudan and Somalia. Having had a few practice games within our team in order to get our throws right (throwing on two, not three pumps) we set out on our road to the knockout rounds.

Richard Gottfried (left) and a South Sudanese athlete both throw 'Rock'

Matches were played in a ‘first to four points’ format with each player in the team taking it in turns to win a point by competing in a ‘best of three’ Rock Paper Scissors game. Our team managed to rack up win loss record of won four, lost one to have one-foot in the finals. However before any teams could advance from our pool a play-off was required as Austria and Lapland A had also finished with four wins and one loss!

A play-off was required and thankfully our team were able to win both of our matches to advance alongside Lapland A, with the Austrians unfortunately sent home.

Reaching the semi-finals of the International Rock Paper Scissors Championships was the furthest stage of an RPS contest I’ve ever reached having been knocked out in the preliminaries in 2010 and 2011. Dave and Sophie’s play was very impressive and were on fire in their tournament debuts. Emily has reached the higher levels of competition and so had some experience to bring to the team.

The first semi-final saw San Marino take on the Vatican City team in a ‘first to six points’ match. Unfortunately we lost and were therefore unable to go for gold and would have a chance for the bronze in the repechage. Lapland A picked up a victory over Great Britain to reach the final and the veteran team, also known as The Richard Richard Danes Appreciation Society, would face the Vatican City.


Dave Barry (left) faces one of the Vatican City competitors

Before the final the bronze medal play-off was played between San Marino and Great Britain. The opening stages of the match echoed the famous fast goal by footballer Davide Gualtieri of San Marino against England in 1993. Much like that match the scoreline was one-sided and the result meant San Marino didn’t win.


The final match saw Lapland’s ‘A’ team take on the might of the Vatican City’s finest. This contest was played to seven points and with a huge and rowdy crowd watching on it was the Laplanders who won the contest, the gold medals, the huge trophy and the coveted title of International Rock Paper Scissors Champions!

Our team mate Dave Barry wrote about his experience in international sporting competition in his column for The Miami Herald! It’s a great report and do check it out at "Dave Barry: Representing a country is great feeling."

The 2012 UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships will be taking place at the Crosse Keys Pub in London on Saturday 13th October. For more information please visit Wacky Nation.

Links:

Related Blog Posts:

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells

I recently found out about The World Alternative Games 2012 that are taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales from the 17th of August and the 2nd of September. It sounds brilliant.

The multi-sport event features a number of weird and wacky, bizarre, odd and obscure, fringe sports - some of which I have participated in over the years!

Looking at the website there will be a total of 49 events during the fortnight, including an opening & closing ceremony.

As an avid fan of alternative sports and games I've heard of a fair few of them, but others, like Underwater Rugby, The Mad Shopper and Welsh Crempog Race are new to me!

Some of the sports/championships on offer include the World Bathtubbing Championships, Gravy Wrestling, the International Under Water Hockey Championships, Conkers, Barrel Rolling and a Ditch Race! Of those sports I've heard of there will be events in Worm Charming, Rock Paper Scissors, Pea Shooting and Pooh Sticks.

The World Alternative Games is planned to become a bi-annual event, so if you can't make 2012, there's always 2014. Fingers crossed that Crazy Golf, Thumb Wrestling and Finger Jousting make the schedule in two years time...

Link:

Related Blog Posts:

Friday, June 08, 2012

Results of a three town 'Octathlon' sporting challenge series

Sporting rivals compete in contests in Letchworth, Baldock & Stevenage

On Thursday 7th June I competed in a series of sport and games challenges against Dodgeball and Minigolf adversary “Rowdy” Russell Fenner. The ‘Octathlon’ event comprised of eight contests in three towns.

The contest ended up as an Octathlon, rather than a Biathlon, Duathlon, Triathlon, Pentathlon, Hexathlon, Heptathlon or Decathlon of events due to a mixture of us being unable to agree on a set number of contests to play and not actually planning the event further than setting what the first event would be!

The action began at the Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre with a 9-hole round of Pitch & Putt. Both of us have previously played the course “a few years ago” so it was as level a playing field as it could be.

“Rowdy” Russell won the honour of teeing-off first with a preliminary round win in a game of Rock Paper Scissors. He promptly shanked the ball off the tee and landed in the heavy rough.

'Rowdy' Russell Fenner looks for a missing Golf ball

Choosing to play the Golf round early was a wise decision as the weather was fairly mild at tee-off, but took a turn for the worse later in the day. The round on the tough but fair Letchworth layout saw Russell score a 45(+18) while I scored a 38(+11) to take the opening win of the contest.

Following what would be the only true outdoor event of the Octathlon we headed inside for a game of Pool.

With Russell previously having the edge in Pool matches against me he won the Rock Paper Scissors game and let me have the break. The match was the closest we’ve had against each other, and after ‘Rowdy’ miss-cued on his first shot I thought I’d pick up a win. However, Russell won the contest to tie the Octathlon at one win apiece.

Playing Pool at Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre

Next up, Darts. Not Russell’s strongpoint, but with one high double figure score of 78 punctuating a run of dismal throws he did manage to get down to a double. The round of Darts was played in a 301-straight-in, double-out format and saw me once again take the lead in the series with an escape of the ‘madhouse’ by hitting double-1.

The scoreboard from the Darts match at Letchworth Par-3 Golf Centre

With the games in Letchworth completed we headed down the road to  The Orange Tree Inn  in nearby Baldock for a game or Bar Billiards. Walking into the public bar at the Orange Tree there was a bit of a shock as the table was nowhere to be seen! Luckily after asking the barman we found the table had been moved into the other bar. It’s in a great position now with space to play shots from both sides. There is also a great old painting of the Orange Tree Pub hanging over the table.

Russell aiming for the 200-hole on the Orange Tree's Bar Billiards table

As Russell had never played Bar Billiards before we had a friendly warm-up contest. The match saw some steady, if a little low, scoring before the sudden-death shoot-out. With the score at 500 to 340 Russell needed to hit the 200-hole to win and after a few missed shots he nailed it to take the win in his debut game.

The Octathlon round kicked off after a short interval and the game was played in front of an audience of a man eating his lunch. It must have been the added pressure of having a spectator present that led to some of the most dismal Bar Billiards ever played. The man “having played a bit in his time” offered a few tips, but to no avail to either of us. The contest once again went to a sudden-death play-off, however Russell was in an almost unwinnable position and as I didn’t topple the black mushroom it stayed that way as I picked up a win 640 to 550, despite Russell once again nailing the 200-shot.

The new position of the Orange Tree's Bar Billiards table

The morning session of gaming action finished with a 3-1 scoreline and was punctuated by a sportsman’s lunch of Fish & Chips at the excellent Cox’s of Letchworth. Adequately fuelled for the final stretch of competition the two rivals headed down the A1(M) to Stevenage and the Hollywood Bowl to play a game of Tenpin Bowling.

Unfortunately due to it being half-term all of the bowling lanes were fully booked for the next two hours, so the next series of sporting endeavours, would have to be amusement arcade games-based.

First up in the arcade games was Air Hockey and a decisive 7-1 win to Russell to make the Octathlon series 3-2.

A 7-1 Air Hockey win for Russell in Stevenage 

The next contest was a battle at the Basketball Hoops shoot-out ticket game. Russell once again won the Rock Paper Scissors contest to see who would go first and ‘put me into bat’. I opened with a few good baskets before failing to score much more. My total to beat was a meagre 17. Russell stepped up and nailed 19 to take the contest to three wins apiece.

The seventh game and last of the three amusement arcade events was the Sideshow Shooting Gallery ticket-game. Winning the Rock Paper Scissors I let Russell play first to set a target score. Missing just one shot he ended with a good total of 190 points. This wasn’t enough though as I hit each of my targets and scored a perfect 200 and make the Octathlon 4-3 in my favour.

Sideshow Shootout in Stevenage

With time ticking on and the weather getting worse there were no other sports or games options in the area and so the final contest would be a best-of-5 Rock Paper Scissors match.

Rock Paper Scissors was a running-theme of the Octathlon due to both players’ history in the game, having competed against each other in the team contest at the 2011 Sportingbet UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships in London.

Throughout the day Russell had won most of the RPS ‘honours’ games and managed to keep his nerve to win the Rock Paper Scissors contest to tie the Octathlon at 4-4. Far from being a decision making tool, in this instance Rock Paper Scissors had merely been an (un)decider in the Octathlon event!

Another multi-sport contest is scheduled to take place between the pair of us later in the summer...

 
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