In Competition #1, the first place trophy went to Golden Eagles of Brewers Bay, who won by a narrow margin with 57 points. Photo: VINO

Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop came in 2nd with 56 points in competition #1. Photo: VINO

East End/Long Look made a remarkable come back in the bonus round to take the 1st place trophy in competition #2. Photo: VINO

The two-member team of Road Town copped the 2nd place trophy of competition #2 after they failed to score in the bonus round. Photo: VINO

Seniors turned out in their numbers to support the various teams. Photo: VINO

Social Worker responsible for the Elderly and Disability Services of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Sirma George, said the competition was a tier above that of 2012. "I think this evening was very interesting, we had a whole new set of category of questions than last year and new seniors that participated this year," said Ms George.

Representative of the Fifth District Honourable Delores Christopher, who was on hand to present winners with their certificates, gifts and trophies, challenged that a seniors' hand book of knowledge be produced. This idea was put forward because of the level of questions that were asked and the participants’ ability to promptly give the correct answers for the most part.

"That would be a great thing because we tend to forget, and we noticed that their memory is still very sharp and as they pass on to us what they know and what they have experienced, it would be a wonderful way to have it recorded," suggested Hon. Christopher.

All the competitors of the night were quizzed in the categories of the Bible, centenarians, general knowledge, men in society, performing arts, political leaders, significant dates and events and women in society.

The night got started with five teams entering the first competition that set the pace for an interesting 'Seniors' General Knowledge Challenge' at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.

At the end of the 1st round of competition #1, Anegada Culture Pearl was chasing from the back with 8 points, with Long trench Shining Stars 10, Sea Cows Bay with 13, Brewers Bay Golden Eagles at 2nd with 16 points and Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop leading with 18 points. The 1st round saw questions being posed individually and team members were not permitted to communicate with each other.

From the second round they were allowed to consult with team members but only the person the question was directed to was allowed to answer out aloud.

For round two, Anegada Culture Pearl got 5 points, Brewers Bay Golden Eagles 13, Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop 10, Long Trench shining Stars 5 and Sea Cows Bay Golden Seniors 13.

In round three, Anegada Culture Pearl got 13 points, Brewers Bay Golden Eagles 10, Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop 8, Long Trench shining Stars 5 and Sea Cows Bay Golden Seniors 8.

In round four, Anegada Culture Pearl got 10 points, Brewers Bay Golden Eagles 18, Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop 10, Long Trench Shining Stars 18 and Sea Cows Bay Golden Seniors 15.

The bonus round was the most interesting round in the competitions as the first person to put up their hand was allowed to answer the question but if their hand went up before the question was completely read that person had to give the answer failing which the question was answered by the Question Mistress, Mrs Carolyn Stoutt Igwe. Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop was the only group to score in that round. The team won 10 points. 

At the end of competition #1, Golden Eagles of Brewers Bay won by a narrow margin with 57 points ahead of Carrot Bay Cream of the Crop, who had 56 points. Sea Cows Bay Golden Seniors were 3rd with 49, 4th was Long Trench Shining Stars on 38 and Anegada Culture Pearl at the back with 36 points.

Despite the fact that the observances for Senior Citizens Month have been dedicated to the elderly men of the Territory, only two teams had a male representative in the first competition.

In competition #2, four teams entered: East End/Long Look, Jost Van Dyke, Road Town and Virgin Gorda. In this leg of the competition only one team did not have a male representative, Road Town, and they also had two members instead of the allotted three.

Round four saw East End/Long Look take 15 points, Jost Van Dyke 18, Road Town 15 and Virgin Gorda 10.

The usual exciting bonus round saw some persons popping up their hands even before the question was asked but it worked well for East End/Long Look who was the only team to score. East End/Long Look finished with 20 points, which took them across the finish line by 1 point to win the second competition of the night.