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After no fewer than 67 conker matches, it was at last time for the final. Facing each other in the ring this year were Poppy and Oliver, both Year 6 pupils. The lights went off, the music began and the finalists entered the hall, Poppy supported by Xenia, and Oliver with his younger brother, Harry. Professor Conkonski was otherwise engaged this year, so his protégé, Professor Whodyanicktheconkerov, came in his place. Professor Whodyanicktheconkerov, supposedly from the Ukraine, but, as a result of his conker studies all over the world, a man with a cosmopolitan accent, conducted the weigh in. Poppy’s conker was 12 grams and Oliver’s slightly heavier at 14 grams.
Amidst the traditional ‘Ooohs’ and ‘Aaahs’ from the audience, the contest was soon underway. Oliver won the toss and got off to a great start, his accuracy making it difficult for Poppy to get a look in. Poppy, however, kept her nerve and responded courageously, well supported by the spectators. Then the initiative was Oliver’s once more, debris began to fly and, with such a high strike rate, he was surely invincible.
Despite minor damage, both conkers remained intact to the end and the contest ran for the full five minutes with no knock out. The judges handed in their scores and, as the audience suspected, they were unanimous in deciding Oliver to be the winner on points.
Congratulations to Oliver, the 2012 Colston’s Lower School Conker Champion!
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