After class heats, school finals and a lot of practice, today was finally time for the Grand Final of the East Ayrshire Reader's Cup. Eight teams met in reigning champion Loudon Academy's assembly hall to take part in what turned out to be a very closely fought and exciting competition.The first round, 10 questions on Horror books, was very tight with all teams getting either 5 or 6 points. Things got quite exciting after the Heroes and Heroines round in which Auchinleck Academy got a fantastic 10 out of 10! At this point Cumnock and Auchinleck were neck and neck, with reigning champs Loudon only one point behind. After the Pets round and 10 Lucky Dip questions Cumnock had a very slim lead of one point over Loudon. All was to play for in the final round of 10 questions on popular Scottish author Catherine MacPhail -at this point nearly every team had a chance to win.
The room went very quiet as we waited for the final scores to be appear on the big screen -some of us hid or head in our hands! But the room erupted with a chorus of Ooohs as it became clear that the competition was not yet over. Cumnock and Loudon had drawn on 36 points with Auchinleck guaranteed 3rd place on 35. This meant a tie-breaker question was needed.
The Cumnock and Loudon teams sat side-by-side awaiting the all important question, and when it came it was certainly not easy. The winning team would have to name Sephy's Nought friend from Malorie Blackman's book "Noughts and Crosses". Cumnock team member Ruth edged her arm in the air but changed her mind. If anyone got the answer wrong it would automatically be offered to the other team, so everyone had to be very careful. Then Cumnock captain Jenna raised her hand, then lowered it, raised it and lowered again before finally with confidence she told the room that Callum was Sephy's friend. She was right!
So Cumnock Academy are this year's champions. Congratulations to Jenna, Ruth, Holly and Korin.
Well done to everyone who took part, it was certainly an exciting afternoon.
Many thanks to the staff and pupils of Loudon Academy for hosting the final and making us all very welcome, and to East Ayrshire Library Service for presenting the cup.
