Episode 8 Ultimate Sports Day

We searched the four corners of the UK to find the fastest,

toughest, most agile and most accurate young athletes

from Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

Now the search is over.

Nation will battle nation over six matches to win points

in an epic sporting tournament.

The two highest scoring teams will go through to the Grand Final.

On today's show, it's the last chance for Wales and Scotland

to pick up points before the Grand Finalists are revealed.

Let the games begin!

On today's Ultimate Sports Day,

Team Scotland take on Team Wales.

Representing Team Wales, it's their captain Joe!

followed by Isabel, Jacob and Hannah!

And make some noise for their mentor, sprinting superstar

and Welsh wonder, Christian Malcolm.

Welsh sprinter Christian is a former Junior World Championships

double gold medallist.

In 2010 he won bronze in the Commonwealth Games

and silver in the European Championships in the 200m.

And representing Team Scotland, let's hear it for their captain,

Ellen,

followed by Fraser,

Frazzle,

and Sarah.

And raise the roof for their mentor.

She sends a chill through the spines of the opposition,

ice dance champion Sinead Kerr!

Sinead and her brother John were the British national ice dancing

champions from 2004 to 2010.

She's also represented Great Britain at two winter Olympics.

Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get on with the competition.

Our teams will start at the base of their five-metre towers

and then climb their way, completely unaided, right the way to the top.

They'll balance their way across that beam,

pick up their three medals

and then hang them on the bars above before releasing their flag

bearing their team colours and hanging all the way safely down to the bottom.

Now it's just down to Sinead and Christian to pick their players.

I'm going to go with Ellen. You're OK with heights, right?

-Yeah. No. I'm fine with heights.

-Excellent. Good.

And you think you would balance on the beam?

Yeah, I hope so. My name's Ellen. I'm 15 years old.

I'm from Edinburgh. My speciality is athletics,

and I applied to be on USD because it sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Isabel, you have done a fantastic job on Sky Walker. I can't complain.

You're quicker than anyone else I have seen in this competition.

I'm Isabel Hughes. I'm 15 years old from Bridgend, Wales.

My speciality is sprinting.

Last year I competed for Wales three times.

This year I'd hope to carry on and improve my times

and compete for Wales again.

Your challenge starts on the fourth and final beat.

Let's play Sky Walker!

Today's first game is one of strength and balance.

Ellen for Scotland and Isabel for Wales shimmying up those towers.

Both know the importance of today's match.

Scotland and Wales need lots of points if they're going to make it to the Grand Final.

The only way to be sure of points is to win lots of games.

Isabel the first to reach under and haul that medal up.

Ellen doing like-wise with her medal.

They're worth five points for every one

they can hang up above their heads.

And there goes five points for Isabel. Wales are off the mark!

Ellen looks like she's having a bit of trouble getting to her feet.

She's a bit wary of standing up on that narrow beam.

Standing five metres up in the air is enough to get anyone

a bit anxious, but she's found the first five points for Scotland now.

Isabel already unhooking her second medal.

She's an old ham at this game, having beaten England once before,

so she definitely knows what she's doing.

And there goes her second medal. That's another five points to Wales.

Ellen trying to catch up. Can she pick up her pace?

She's certainly got another medal up on the bar.

That takes Scotland to ten points now.

It's going to come down to who can finish first without falling off,

and it looks like it's going to be Isabel.

She hangs the third and final ring and leaps to victory,

dragging her team's colours too. Mentor Christian is over the moon.

Isabel stormed to the top in no time at all

while Ellen struggled to find her feet.

She just couldn't catch up with the Welsh wonder, leaving Isabel

to jump for glory with her undefeated Sky Walker record intact.

Isabel, I've got to ask you, now you've just come down,

how did you get up that tower so fast?

I don't know!

I think it might be the technique maybe, but I don't know.

And as well as that you hoisted those medals like an anchor out at sea.

What are you doing? You've really got the Sky Walker nailed.

I don't know. I think it's just the adrenaline. I don't know.

Christian, this round could make all the difference - perfect start for Wales.

Issy is superb at the Sky Walker, and she did so well today,

so I'm a little bit excited, but I'm a bit nervous.

I'm going to hold it down.

Ellen, it's hard going up against a Sky Walker record holder, isn't it?

Yeah. It's a bit harder when you get up there as well.

It was amazing just to watch.

It's not as easy as it looks, and they both did a fantastic job,

so I'm really proud of Ellen, and Issy did amazing as well.

Fantastic effort.

Let's see what that's done for the scores after the first round.

A superb start by Isabel.

Her 15-point bonus for winning helps Wales score a maximum 30 points.

Ellen bagged 10 points for Scotland,

but in this last face-off before the final, every point counts.

The Chaser!

Ahead of us is 150 metres.

An Olympic sprinter can cover this distance in around about 15 seconds,

but can our two nations run the length of it before The Chaser tracks them down?

If they do, they pick up points. It's simple.

But if the Chaser beats them, then they're out of the game.

So all you need now is the Chaser.

Not much is known about the Chaser.

What we do know is that he's fast, very fast.

The boys are on track first today. The girls will go later.

Taking to the starting blocks are Jake for Wales,

Fraser for Scotland,

Joe for Wales,

and Frazzle for Scotland.

And here comes their worst nightmare. It's the Chaser.

And they're off! The two to watch are Joe and Fraser.

They've never been caught, and they've only lost to Andrew from Northern Ireland.

Jake and Frazzle will be looking for their first point to the Chaser.

They haven't yet managed to escape the guy in grey.

The Chaser is making good ground.

Joe and Fraser way out in front. Joe just ahead of Fraser.

The Chaser's caught up with Frazzle.

He's got him, and he's overtaken Jake as well.

The Chaser's not going to catch Joe and Fraser,

who sprint neck and neck across the line, but who won?

The Chaser caught up with the two younger athletes, Frazzle

and Jake, destroying their dreams of picking up any points.

He glides past them effortlessly,

but he was never going to catch up with the older boys.

Joe and Fraser are running side by side, but who did finish first?

Oh, Fraser by a knee!

The race is over.

Time to update our scoreboard once again.

Just 100th of a second separating Fraser and Joe.

They get 10 points each. Nothing for Jake and Frazzle.

Scotland have 10 points. Wales lead with 40 points.

There's still a long way to go.

Spin Shot!

The aim of this game is to catch the balls and shoot them in the hoop

or kick them in the goal!

Yah! Wow, that's difficult.

Whilst not falling off the spinning platform

or getting hit by one of these

seriously annoying arms - easier said than done.

Christian and Sinead, who have you picked? I am pooped.

Sarah, you're my choice for this.

I feel you have a good focus for looking at the nets,

and you have had a bit of experience with netball, so you're my choice for that.

Are you going to be all right with that?

Yeah, I practised yesterday, so I think I'll be fine with that.

My name is Sarah Rose McDonald. I am 13 years old.

I come from Coatbridge near Glasgow. My speciality is athletics.

I applied to be on the show because I wanted to try something new and meet new people.

We've got Speed Shot. Jacob, I have chosen you for this.

There was only three branches last time. Now there's five.

It's going to be tricky.

I know you want to do well, and you have done well so far.

My name is Jacob. I'm 13 years old.

I come from Pontypool in South Wales. My speciality sport is hockey.

My biggest ambition would be to represent my country in the Olympics.

But first, doing her spin thing for Team Scotland, it's Sarah.

Your challenge starts on the fourth and final beep.

Let's play Spin Shot.

This is a deceptively tricky game requiring stamina and accuracy.

Sarah has 60 seconds to score as many baskets and goals as possible.

Can she do better at the goal? No, not this time.

The actual speed of it was good.

Sinead offering some words of wisdom. Will that help Sarah?

Yes, it does, a great shot.

Netball experience showing through, three points to Sarah.

Sinead really steering Sarah through this game.

It looks like it's working. She scores her first goal

and notches up another three points for Scotland.

That's another miss.

She lines up another strike at goal,

but that's a miss too - off the woodwork.

This game is not easy, trying to avoid those bars, catch balls

and score points - she takes another shot, but it misses as well.

Can she get anymore points for Scotland? They can do with them.

There is a place in the final at stake. Yes, she can!

-A great shot, and Sarah squeaks in another three points.

-Good try.

Can Jake do any better for Wales? Sarah's score of nine to beat.

He misses his first hoop,

but absolutely hammers the ball into the goal, three points for Wales.

Back for another try at the basket, but no luck again.

He lines up another shot at the goal and scores again -

that's two goals, six points for Jake.

Can he get any in the basket, though, not this time.

He's missed his first goal, but he doesn't hang around long to dwell on it.

An underarm lob into the air and he scores his first basket,

nice technique! There is another crack at the net.

Jake going strong - 12 points, a fumble there, but he carries on,

back around to have another go at the goal, and he scores.

Jake's clearly finding the football side of this game easier than the basketball.

He wants to quickly get around to the goal.

Interesting tactics.

Careful on that beam! Time running out.

He misses the basket, but still has another few seconds left for a goal.

He hits the bark, unlucky. That's the buzzer.

After a frantic Spin Shot, Sarah scored nine points for Scotland,

and Jake scored 15 points for Wales.

Overall that's pushed Wales further in the lead on 55 points,

but Scotland aren't too far behind on 29 points.

Hangbar.

Hangbar is a simple game,

but the task is anything but. As this ring rises to the roof,

our USD-ers will have to put mind over matter and just hold on.

Whoever lasts the longest picks up maximum points for their country.

Two people who I would like to do for this game is Fraser and Frazzle.

I think it's a weak-to-strength ratio is important in this.

-If you're ready for that?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Excellent.

My name is Fraser. I am a 15. I'm from the Scottish Borders.

My speciality is the 800m.

I thought I would enter USD to showcase my talent in sport.

Hannah and Isabel, I know

that Hannah will be OK.

All you have to do is just hang still. Find a grip.

Don't move. Just focus on something.

Think of whatever - think of JLS for all I care while you're up there!

My name's Hannah. I'm 13 years old. I'm from Neath in South Wales.

My speciality sport is sprinting.

I applied for the show because it sounded completely different.

Your challenge begins on the fourth and final beep. Let's play Hangbar.

Strength and control are what this game is all about.

It looks easy but these athletes will tell you just how hard it is.

They have to hang on for as long as possible

while the Hangbar rises slowly into the air.

So, all old hands at this game with the exception of Hannah.

They've been up there 15 seconds. This is Hannah's first attempt.

Concentrating on JLS could be the key!

The others have all had a go before.

When Fraser and Frazzle took on Team England,

they came third and fourth.

So they'll be out to do much better this time.

Isabel also came in third at her last attempt.

This could really be anyone's game today.

No points for the first to fall.

5 points for the second one down, 10 points for the third to drop,

and 20 points for the winner. All to play for.

We're approaching the one minute mark.

Frazzle starting to shift around.

His wriggling could affect the others

and break their concentration.

60 seconds gone, and nobody's showing signs of letting go yet.

Frazzle seems to have settled down again.

Isabel looks focused, as we hit 75 seconds.

Fraser concentrating hard to block out the pain.

Frazzle's gone! His arms have had enough and he's the first to fall.

No points for Frazzle on Hangbar.

Hannah's lost her grip at the 90 second mark.

Where were JLS when she needed them?

She's got five points for Wales. So, it's between Isabel and Fraser.

Isobel takes the plunge! She gets ten points.

Fraser, who perfected zoning out, is today's winner.

Everyone was going strong at the minute mark,

then Frazzle began to wriggle as he felt the strain,

and it was soon all over for him.

Next to go was Hannah from Team Wales,

who was closely followed by team mate Isabel.

A smiling Fraser wins the game for Team Scotland.

The focus face worked, this time, mate, didn't it?

Definitely. Totally zoned out,

ignore everything going on around you.

Did you feel Frazzle go before and think,

-"I've got to do it for Team Scotland?"

-I didn't notice.

I totally zoned out. Just nothing.

I thought it was great how concentrated Fraser looked.

It was amazing. It's a really tough, scary game to play.

It is a tough game.

Hannah, what about you? Your first challenge. What was it like?

Really hard because you can't get a right grip.

Once you feel yourself moving, it's automatic.

You go for another grip and then you just fall.

Your hands are shaking and everything.

-It's hard.

-They've both picked up points.

Well done both teams. Let's see who's highest up the scoreboard

and gone that one step closer to the finals. Let's find out.

Fraser's win means 20 points for Scotland.

But Wales pick up 15 points for second and third place.

Overall, Wales lead 70 points to Scotland's 49.

One of the challenges for today is Bike Power

and it involves cycling as fast as you can - basically a kilometre.

So, I need someone who has speed and endurance.

My choice for that was you, Fraser.

I think you proved on both the sprints and the bleep test

in the first week that you had both of those things.

You had strength and endurance.

The last event we've got is Bike Power.

I left that for you, Joe.

It was between Jake and you

but I think you will be more suited for Bike Power.

You've got that strength.

My name is Joe, I'm 15 and I come from Llanelli in Wales.

My speciality is rugby and my sporting hero is Dai Greene.

This is Bike Power. It's called Bike Power for two very good reasons.

One, bikes are involved.

And two, riders will need power to power them.

Let's play Bike Power!

This is a game of strength and stamina.

Rugby player Joe and 800 metre runner Fraser

have to cycle for 2,000 metres. That's a long way to pedal,

especially when it's hammer and tong, head to head.

The bars at the bottom of your screen show how the guys are doing.

The further they fill up, the further they've cycled.

When they're full, it means they've finished the race.

They earn five points for every 500 metres they complete.

So far, it looks like there's nothing to separate these two.

It's completely level at the halfway point.

Sinead is urging Fraser on after his success on the Hangbar.

Can he pull more points back here for Scotland?

There's a 15 point bonus for winning and he'll want it.

Christian also egging Joe on. Their legs will be in agony by now.

Who has the stamina to keep this pace up for the last 500 metres?

Fraser and Joe are pumping those pedals like crazy.

This is going to be so close. And it's Joe.

Joe for Wales by a whisker! Christian's happy, Fraser isn't.

Joe, mate, an awesome display of power.

How was that?

Oh, that's tough. It's not easy.

What's it like those last few metres?

I said to Christian before, when it looks like I'm getting tired,

tell me to kick in, find another gear, so I can just let it loose.

Last bit just push.

-What's it like having Christian Malcolm by your side?

-Amazing!

Nice on, Joe. Let's hear it for Joe, everybody!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, Joe wins the race and 30 points for Wales.

Fraser picks up 15 points for Scotland,

which means that Wales have hit the 100 mark,

while Scotland move on to 64.

The Chaser's ready to run.

Our girls will need to run like the wind

if they're to reach the finish line before he does.

Important points available on The Chaser.

Scotland really need them. Taking to their starting positions are...

Isabel for Wales, Sarah for Scotland,

Hannah for Wales and Ellen for Scotland.

Here comes the man hoping to stop them in their tracks.

It's The Chaser!

-Set!

-The girls are off. This should be a great race.

Hannah and Isabel for Wales and Sarah for Scotland

have never been caught by The Chaser. Hannah's never lost a race

with a best time of 17.72 seconds, she'll be hard to beat.

She's way out in front. No-one will catch her.

The Chaser is gaining on Scotland's Ellen!

She's been chased down and overtaken.

The Chaser shows Ellen no mercy yet again.

Hannah crosses the finish line in first.

Isabel second and Sarah third.

What a race for Hannah!

She shot round that track way ahead of the others.

Ellen couldn't hold off The Chaser's challenge. No points for her.

It was Hannah who won hands down, Isabel second and Sarah in third.

Hannah's time of 17.20 seconds is a USD record -

the fastest time ever against The Chaser.

So now Wales have 120 points, Scotland have 74.

But it's not over yet.

It's time for the grand finale, the team relay.

This whole arena will come into play

and it's going to get frantic and it starts with Bike Power.

A 200 metre sprint will then light our towers over here.

Once it's fully lit, it's time to initiate the Skywalker.

Our USDers will start at the bottom, make their way up the 5 metres,

across the beam, and collect all the rings they can

before making their way down the ladder.

Then, time to get a sprint on, all the way over to the bungee tower.

And they'll bungee like they've never bungeed before

and collect all three rings. Not before they've done that

can our cyclists make their way

right back to the other side of the arena. It's going to be tough.

I'm sweating and I haven't even done anything.

Once they've had their 200 metre sprint, only then

will their team mates make their way to the top of the flag pole,

collecting their rings in the process

and releasing their national team's colours.

It's time for Ring Relay.

You know about finishing in style. Can Team Wales do it?

I hope so. It's going to be tricky.

Scotland are very good at the relay,

so these guys are up for this, I hope they can do it.

All right. Sinead, a lot of points on offer here in the relay.

Yeah, it's going to be a really tough competition today.

My guys work really well together. Hopefully that will be enough

-to push Scotland through.

-Good stuff! Best of luck.

Their final relay starts on the fourth and final beep.

Let's play the game.

As I mentioned, there are a lots of points to play for in the relay.

105 for the winning team.

Although Scotland are currently trailing, they could still do this.

It's pretty even so far. Hannah and Sarah cycling furiously.

Sarah in front but her feet have slipped. Will that affect her?

Sinead is screaming at Sarah to keep going.

She wants to win this desperately.

And it is Sarah who finishes first, just a fraction ahead of Hannah.

They sprint off to tag Fraser and Isabel on the Skywalker,

who starts clambering up the towers.

Fraser is the first to get up on to the beam,

but Isabel is no slouch on the Skywalker, she's catching up.

They're both now grabbing the two rings off the bar.

Five points for each ring. Isabel's the first to get on the beam.

They have to scramble down the ladders. It is neck and neck so far.

Oh, Isabel's accidentally knocked off a ring! No points for that one.

But she grabs the other one and hurls herself down the ladder.

Fraser looks a bit stuck.

Trying to get rings but the ladder's slowed him.

Isabel's down, releases Hannah who sprints to the bungee

where Joe can now swing into action.

Three rings for him to collect.

Fraser's down now too and Joe has his first ring.

Oh, I think Sarah nearly forgot to tag Fraser. That was close!

As Joe collects his second bungee ring, Ellen leaps into the game

and grabs her first. Joe looks like he's struggling up that net.

Ellen is going in for her second ring

and Joe has got his third now.

Once he's up, Hannah can race back to her bike

for another session of furious pedalling. Off she goes.

She's got quite a lead on Scotland now

but Ellen has picked off her lost ring and here comes Sarah.

She's got a lot to do on that bike

if she'll stand any chance of catching Hannah.

Frazzle waiting on the flagpole for his moment.

But Sarah has to finish her 200m bike sprint.

Hannah is nearing the end of her leg of this relay...

And she's done it! She leaps off and tags Jake on the flagpole

who shoots skywards grabbing rings as he goes.

Sarah finishes too, as Jake nears the top.

Sarah tags Frazzle and off he goes.

But nothing will stop Jake from winning this for Wales.

He leaps off the flagpole and grabs his team's banner.

Christian looks happy, a great win for Wales.

CHEERING

You really know how to get up that flagpole, mate, don't you?

HE PANTS

It's... It's really hard because you're going up, you're looking.

You're like, "I think we can do this".

But then when you grab the rings, you slows down.

When you're on top, it shakes like anything.

You're like this and you have to leap off but... Yes!

HE LAUGHS

Christian, you said Team Scotland were the team to beat in the relay,

-but hey, you showed them exactly how to do it.

-We needed these points,

we needed this victory.

We've got incredible quality in our camp.

We were unfortunate against England and Northern Ireland

so to actually win the day and win the relay,

I'm so happy for these guys, more than anything. They deserve this.

10 rings means 50 points for Scotland.

Wales got ten rings too plus 50 points for winning.

So Wales beat Scotland 220-124!

CROWD SCREAMS

The last match is over.

All four nations have raced, jumped, climbed and spun.

But only the two highest-scoring teams can continue.

Who has leaped into the final and who will be leaving us today?

HEARTBEATS

The first team into the final is...

Team England!

ALL: Yes!

CHEERING

The team going through to face England is...

Team Northern Ireland!

ALL: Yay!

CHEERING

So England and Northern Ireland are through to the Grand Final

and despite truly great performances from both Wales and Scotland today,

they come in third and fourth.

Commiserations to Team Scotland and Team Wales.

Make sure you get warmed up and tune in

for what will be an awesome battle

as Team Northern Ireland and Team England take each other on

for the final time to become champions of Ultimate Sports Day.

Until the final, ciao for now.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd