14th April
As last year our Cubs managed to get to the final. We were one of the top three Packs of the nineteen Packs in the District.
We met at the Scutt at 18:45 and at 18:55 we were still waiting for our captain to turn up, as we were to start the quiz at the 82nd HQ at 19:00 we were a bit concerned. While Hathi went on ahead to assure Angela that we would be there very soon Akela went round and disturbed Alex with the news that the quiz started two minutes ago!
There were some very nervous Cubs in our team. Their sense of duty being the main reason that they turned up. Akela assured them that as long as they did their best, that they would get a lift home.
The first round caused all sorts of confusion with descriptions of an item sounding like a game, hobby or activity. Luckily the watching Leaders were not expected to answer any of the questions. We scored as well as the other teams from the 256th and the 82nd, so on to. . .
Round two was a sheet of paper with the alphabet on, the names of animals or flowers had to be written next to the letters. Naturally the teams did not listen to the rules and wrote down insects, fish, amphibians or other forms of fauna and flora. We were a little bit disappointed that whale was not allowed, but the judges decision was final. We scored 15 points out of 26 so over half marks. There was no entry against x or y for some reason.
Round 3 was in pairs and was multiple choice all the teams did well and not many marks were lost.
Round 4 mental arithmetic. This was our strong round, unfortunately there were no bonus points as Alex put on a display that had the other Leaders shaking their heads and the 148 W supporters smirking hugely. As the questions were being read out for the second time Alex would put his hand up. When it came to his turn he sounded surprised that the question was so easy. Again the teams scored about the same.
Round 5 A crossword puzzle putting characters from The Jungle Book into a matrix. All the Cubs enjoyed this and full marks all round.
At the half way point the points were: 82nd - 43 256th - 44 and 148W - 43 Very close indeed.
Round 6 was spelling and the Cubs did well with only one Cub making a mistake.
Round 7 was where it all fell apart for us. It was a picture round with four keys and four items that the keys should fit, while the other two teams scored a maximum we got half marks. As it had been so close we realised that we would be lucky to make up the lost four points, but its not over until it is over so we kept on.
Round 8 A version of the TV quiz blockbusters. We only dropped two points for this but the Cubs heads dropped as victory slipped further away.
Round 9 A nature round. Again the Cubs didn't do as well as they wanted. Still only one more round to go.
Round 10 Nursery Crimes. The Cubs are of an age where this only happens to kids. I do not think that ignorance of obscure rhymes is anything to be ashamed of.
The final score was 82nd - 75 256th - 78 and 148W - 63
We had been beaten but the Cubs had done there best. Cyril awarded the trophies, so we had the cup handed back for another year.
Thanks to everybody at the 82nd for the hospitality, to the Team of Alex (c), Steph, Dan and Becky to Akela for taking the Cubs there and taking them home afterwards, to Abi and Allison for support and a very special thank you to Angela and John for organising the whole thing.