Mm Links Results May 2014 Week 2

[gen2]

This week's MM Links game has closed.

I can now reveal that 'King Cliffyg' was looking for the following links:-

NAVY BLUE
MOON SHINE
CITY EDITOR
CLUB HAMMER

All were matched but were they your choices? See below.

[gen2]

Before I give you the details, I wish to draw your attention to something you may not have seen on Friday evening's 'Shrubbery Thread'. Crofter managed it from 2007 to June 2011 then I took over from then to the present.

On Friday, I floated a suggestion. That suggestion has since consolidated into a resolution. I feel that I have done my stint as curator of this game and that it is time to either bring the game to a close or pass it over to someone else.

This is what I posted on Friday on the 'Shrubbery Thread':-

"I am eternally grateful to the setters who keep the MM game going from month to month. Without them, we'd be down to just the one (KM) version of this game, but that is where we started. It was only through the death of Michael Mepham (MM) that this game came into existence. When kis daughter, Kate (KM), took over setting the DT GK crosswords it was decided to run the two in parallel for a bit and see how it went. Seven years on it is still going but not attracting anywhere near as many players an the KM version. I'm wondering if it is now time to call it a day on the MM version. Most of the regular setters have now had several goes at setting the links. New setters are reluctant to become involved - maybe I'm scaring them off (BOOOO!)."

I will definitely continue for the rest of this month and for all of June, but then???. The choices boil down to either bringing this version to an end or passing it on to some other player. The choice is yours.

[Psybbo]

That's a pity, you do it so well xx

[gen2]

Three of those links were matched within the first two minutes of play.

First to be found was that tool of the trade - CLUB HAMMER - which was used to knock a couple of points in the direction of Middlestump.

Then Tearinghair fancied a boy in NAVY BLUE for her two points (but she had to share him with evsajo). Two points each.

Still 9:02 in the morning but that didn't stop Rockfordill fancying a drop of the illicit hard stuff and MOONSHINE have him 2 points.

The final link had to wait until a minute to midnight! Kettledrum was then putting the paper to bed and thought compassionately of the CITY EDITOR for her 2 points.

With no multiple hitters, I choose the discoverer of that final elusive link to receive the accolade:

***** HOTSHOT FOR *****
***** THIS WEEK IS *****
*** K E T T L E D R U M ***
*** CONGRATULATIONS ***

The points earned this week were:

2 evsajo
2 kettledrum
2 middlestump
2 rockfordill
2 tearinghair
1 baza
1 Psybbo
1 rockfordill (Mrs R)


which makes the leaderboard look like this after two weeks (of five):

4 beejay1124
4 tearinghair
3 kettledrum
3 middlestump
10 on 2 points
8 on 1 point

Please give some thought to what I said above.

Until next week then:
Same time (9am)
Same place (Q&P)
Happy Linking
gen2

[pixie373]

That is a shame, gen. I hadn't seen that. I can confirm to any new setters, that you get as much support as you want, to set them. I'm not technical- but all the hard work is done for you.
Would like to say thank you, gen, for all the hard work and commitment you have put in for us xxx

[Psybbo]

Pixie said what I wished to say, thank you gen2 and especially for when I set the links

[tearinghair]

Thank you for this week's links King Cliffyg, and gen2 as usual for your posting and overseeing this week.

As I mentioned on the Shrubbery thread, I understand why you were thinking of stepping back, and I can see that that very easily became a stepping down once the idea took root in your mind. I'm really sorry about your decision, but not surprised as you've been so committed for the last three years. We shall miss you very much.

I hope someone may feel like taking on the job as I should miss the Saturday guessing session; it's slightly different from KM as the link doesn't have to be a word that could be the answer to a GK crossword clue. As you know from my email ramblings last month, I don't feel confident enough to be able to intervene when the scores are looking too low, so it's no good my offering to do it in your place. And I'm never in between 5.30 and 8pm on Sundays so couldn't score the game either. Is there someone out there?.....

[boxtops]

gen2, I can understand your desire to step down. When I worked on setting the links with you, I could see your commitment and the sheer time involved - every week, week in, week out - in keeping the setters in line, recording, marking, reporting back - it's ben a huge commitment of your time and goodwill (and I am sure others will join me in thanking you for it!). I'd be loth to take it on myself full-time, I couldn't guarantee being around at the appropriate times - it was OK to do it for the month I was setting, but we need someone who's here in the week and over the weekends. I hope this doesn't put off some good person offering, but I could see how much time you put in, even down to the support you gave to me (and no doubt others) during my setting period.

[gen2]

Thank you all for your kind comments. The amount of work involved varies from month to month depending on the setter but it is being tied to having to be available at fixed times that I finally want to be free of.

Tearinghair: This MM Game DOES use words that could be answers to crossword clues. That was the origin of this game when Michael Mepham died suddenly. The words have to be in Chambers or be readily recognised proper nouns. The two-word pairings don't always have a dictionary entry but the internet is used to check their validity. For example, this week's CLUB HAMMER isn't in Chambers but has an entry in Wikipedia as well as being sold by 'Screwfix' and 'Wickes'. That placed it within the rules and the confirmation was that Middlestump quickly guessed it.

[elliemay1]

gen2, I, like others, commend your commitment to Mm Links and can understand your need to step down. Thank you for your guidance and patience when I set the links last year. You were so helpful.

[tearinghair]

Well yes, gen2, but I was thinking of it the other way round really; when guessing KM I always try to go for words which fit GK answers, but that doesn't absolutely have to be the case with MM, does it? e.g my 5th choice for Wing in April week 1 was 'fixed' (which no-one chose anyway), but I can't think off-hand of a GK clue that would elicit that answer.

Glad to see all the support for your brilliant running of MM.

[evsajo]

I am sorry you are going to give up Gen as this game, and Friday nights in the Shrubbery helped me so much after my husband died. I also have made some really good friends who I keep in touch with, and meet occasionally. I even got to meet you and your lovely wife !!! I fully understand it is a lot of work and every weekend too. Thanks for all you have done Gen.xxx (perhaps you will visit us on FB site occasionally as we do miss you)

[Aquagility]

I've only just now got home from a weekend away. But I really must add my thanks to Gen2 - my ever-helpful friend. It will be a shame if MM links dies, but better if it goes out on top rather than fades into a whimper. I'm not reliable enough so I'm not going to volunteer - we need a savvy youngster!

[x-ray]

Hi gen2
I too will be sorry to see MM Links finish, but like Aqua says better to go out on top. I have noticed the numbers taking part are not as many as there used to be, and certainly the Friday night shrubbery which used to be
so popular has diminished in numbers..
I am also very grateful to you for all your time and hard work in keeping MM alive after Crofter. I can appreciate your desire to "give it a rest" so to speak.
I am afraid I could not possibly take on the task of organising such a competition with my age, health and other commitments.
I rather hope that someone does take up the gauntlet....we shall see.