The Bing team is going nuts for conkers today with our homepage highlighting the World Conker Championships, which has sadly been cancelled this year due to weather conditions. Our very own content editor, Eddie Wrenn, took part in the World Conker Championships for two years running so we’ve asked him to share his experience:
“Until a month before my first contest, I didn’t start thinking strategically about my game – I just remembered games in the park as a child and thought I could easily take a few swings and win.
This was my one shot of a world championship title so I got practising to avoid looking like a fool.
I collected some conkers from a Horse Chestnut tree close to my flat and it was easy enough to thread them with string with the aid of a screwdriver, but I had forgotten how tough the game itself is. My flatmate graciously (at first) gave up a few hours to help me practice, and I don’t believe either of us managed to connect at all for the first few rounds. But after a while we got into the swing of things and before we knew it, conker splinters were flying around our lounge. A few more games with the local kids (who didn’t run away from me) and I was set for the main event.
The organisers set you up on one of the 12 podiums on the village green, with a mob of supporters standing around in a linked-off circle. And a huge baying mob they looked – at least to this green novice! Cheating with the school-boy methods of super-glue, oven baking and other wacky methods was ruled out as they give you pre-stringed and marked conkers for the contest. I, of course, would never cheat but for anyone out there considering it: you will not get away with it!
It was my first match and my opponent was a tall man, probably in his 40s, who told me with a smile that this was his fifth contest. I willed myself to be the 26-year-old David to his Goliath, but even on swing one I missed! On his turn Goliath smashed my conker and sent it flying around my hands – it was still in one piece but this nut was never going to be a tree. It was not a happy moment – but I held on to the thought that I was now a professional world champion contender. A few hits later though and my conker was out for the count.
The cheer of the crowd, the rush of adrenalin and the fact that I fell at the first hurdle compelled me to attend the following year – heck, even Rocky didn’t win the championship bought first time. This time around my nerves were stronger, my hits more accurate and I managed to make it through three rounds of the competition before my eventual downfall. At that point, head held high, I walked off with some dignity and retired with honour.”
Eddie’s top conker tips:
• Even if you used to be a school champ, do get some practice in before the event as otherwise it’s a nerve-wracking experience
• Despite seeming an innocent game, the best tactic is aggression – so swing as hard as you can – just remember to be a true sportsman off the pitch!
• I favoured the over-arm swing, but there’s also the side-slash and the back-slash – do some Binging to find your favourite technique
• Take home any leftover conkers – they supposedly keep spiders out of the house!
Has Eddie’s experience made you want to give it a try yourself? Make sure you check out today’s homepage Hotspots for information about the nutty competition and tips on how to triumph at a game of conkers.