Postcard from the Derby World Teams FOG Championship - 2 & 3 October 2010 at Derby University - from AWC member Ben Hill.
This was the convention and competition I was looking forward to since arriving in the UK. I was just hoping that my game play would not be distracted by the retail opportunities in the other hall! More on the trade stands in the next postcard.
The weekend started with a 4 hour drive in the pouring rain with massive traffic jams most of the way. It ended with a 2 hour drive for the same journey, so very England. I was competing in the Derby World Teams Championship played under FOG rules. It was the biggest competition that I saw, though I didn't check out the Moderns or WRG 7th Edition hall, no time between games and shopping. There were 18 teams of three playing across three themed pools, Eternal Empire, Immortal Fire and Wolves from the Sea. I played with Early Scots in the Wolves from the Sea pool. The results varied, I got shot to pieces by Alans, picked up wins against Rus and Welsh and lost versus Vikings. Really thought I would win versus the Alans, my opponent had visible alcohol fumes when he breathed and his hands shook when he picked up figures. Turned out he plays better when drunk (still) and was ranked 4th in the UK! The best game was versus the Welsh and versus a Welshman, there was much banter about the purest form of love between a man and a sheep. Off topic we are heading over to Cardiff to watch the All Blacks smash Wales, I will hold up a AWC sign so keep an eye out when you watch that game.
Overall a well attended competition, it included a number of top 10 players from the UK and the FOG cabal. The three authors were present and playing, Richard Bodley Scott, Simon Hall, Terry Scott along with Nick Gaukroger and Hammy (not sure of his real name). The Oxford team finished joint 11th out of 18 teams and I finished 11th out of 18 in pool 2.
Next up (maybe) Warfare at Reading in late October and Roll Call at High Wycombe in November.
You can see how Ben went at Derby on the Derby Pool 2 FOG Result & Rankings Page at Siltherine.
Read Ben's second postcard from Derby: UK Derby Convention Highlights - 2 & 3 October 2010.
