 After a well earned rest, the teams awoke ready to face the next challenges ahead. As teams were ushered towards the Main Hall, it became clear Stage Two would focus on their mental and strategic skills alone, allowing already weary bodies a rest before the more physical challenges to come.
Teams were split into five groups of six and asked to move to their allocated playing tables. As revealed in the briefing, this stage would test the team’s skills on the ancient game of Merellus, or Nine Men's Morris. Despite being a relatively simple game at the surface, the deep strategic and lateral thinking undertones meant this would be as intense a stage as any.
The aim of the game, played on a square board marked with 24 points, was for each player to place nine pieces on unoccupied points on the board alternately to form a ‘mill’ (a straight row of three of their own pieces). Whenever a player succeeded in making a mill, they captured their opponent's piece, taking it permanently out of play. Pieces then moved to adjacent points alternatively until all their opponents’ pieces were captured.
With each group of six teams having to play each other, all four team members were required to play at least once, testing the balance within the teams. Each player had to make all their moves within eight minutes meaning each game was short but extremely intense. As the allocated time drew to a close, the players faces were etched in concentration as their colleagues willed them on; hovering ever closer over the table. Teams fell silent as the final pieces were moved into play and tension in the room mounted!
The next round of players took their seats, shook their opponents hand and as the chess clocks were reset for the next highly anticipated game, the audible buzz around the hall returned.
With victory in all five of their games, Team Structure Group were declared winners and official Merellus champions! This saw them top the leaderboard after Stage Two with strong performances by Team BG Group, Fit For the Future and Team Hess in their respective groups taking them to second and third places.
Oliver Hawkins Team Captain from winning Team Structure Group said:
“This task was very much a team effort everyone played their part - we made sure we capitalised on any mistakes made by our opponents. We are delighted to be heading into Stage Three in the lead and hope we can continue with our team bonding and success from here on.”
Although not a physically demanding task, the mental strain on all the team members was obvious and lunch brought a welcome opportunity to get some fresh air and regroup before their travels to Dartmoor National Park for the start of Stage Three.
- Ends -
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