IF ONLY

IF ONLY

If only thought the 10 quizzers who’d chosen Saka twice, the 50 quizzers who chose Stirling, if only thought the scattered fans of Rashford and Grealish who came off the bench to score. No such hard luck stories for the many fans of Harry Kane(did he have a shot?).But no quizzers had sung the name JUDE BELLINGHAM, who scored the first of the six England goals against Iran, the first of England’s World Cup campaign. It was too the first England goal of Jude’s international career so you are forgiven for ignoring him. For a few minutes even grumpy old Quiz HQ forgot the extraordinary decision to take the World Cup to an autocracy with a foul record on gender, on human and workers’ rights as was the bizarre rant of FIFA President on taking the politics out of sport. It was you that put it centre stage, Gianni.

Then came the (to put it mildly)disappointing draw against the USA and again the vultures circled round Southgate’s head. There was even speculation that Wales might score the four goals needed. England though were back on more sprightly form and when St Marcus scored twice, the vultures flew back morosely to their nests, replaced by their polar opposites, the songbirds wondering if football’s coming home. Most quizzers had expected one off key performance and SEVEN points was the most popular choice for the final question. With your Christmas cards waiting to be posted, Quiz HQ will leave you to triumph or despair in the knockout stages.

Sadly, the Davis Cup has become a glorified end of season beano with no story developing over the year. Russia, the holders with potentially the strongest team and perhaps the choice of 50% of you quizzers, were for obvious and justifiable reasons not invited to the beano. Britain bowed out in September, a week overshadowed by the Queen’s death. And the final stages where eight countries meet in a knockout were overshadowed by the World Cup.

As Spanish footballers were thrashing Costa Rica 7-0,the Spanish tennis team, the hosts, went out tamely to Croatia. Did anybody in Spain notice? Italy, the only country not to have an interest in the World Cup got to the semis before being beaten by Canada, the only team to bring their best two players, both in the World Top 20.Many other teams were under strength as the long season had created a long injury list.

The whole fate of the 2022 Quiz hung in the balance as Canada faced Australia in the Final.

If only Australia could win as our North American correspondent Neil Dewhurst alone had predicted, Neil would win the Gold Quizzing medal. Heartbreak for Neil in Houston as CANADA won their first Cup in the long history of the world’s premier team tennis tournament.

Despite his Davis Cup disappointment, Neil Dewhurst hung on for third(£78), pushing Paul Wearmouth back into fourth. Nick Bunclark and John Edwards had both gone with Q44 as seven points so the tie breaker was needed to separate the pair on 64 points. Remember the tie breaker-the number of Premiership goals in the 21-22 season.1071 was the answer and long time quizzer Nick was closer and wins the first prize of £234.John has to settle for second and £117.Surely with such untold wealth on offer, you are even keener to play in the 2023 Quiz.

Astonishingly, both expats Neil and Paul were also fighting for the title in the mini league called The Foreign Legion so double blow for Paul. You can see if you too were successful in a mini league by visiting www.snedsquiz.net.

You might have been top Welsh or Scottish quizzer, the best first timer, even the best Red Pen. There are 18 mini leagues so out there are 18 proud people. You can also download the 2023 quiz thanks to the work of Webmaster Henry taking time out from moonlit dog walks with Buddy.

Back in the summer, Amanda Harvey won Commonwealth Gold and £39 which leaves only the destination of the Atlas Trophy to be declared. Someone has to finish last. As often this year it was an experienced quizzer with a lot of knowledge but outrageous luck. Ros, I’m hoping to present the Trophy, worth more than money, to you soon, in person, in glorious Suffolk.