Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Semi-Final 2

Semi-Final 2
The Robot Wars logo from the introduction titles
Series	The Third Wars
Winner(s)	Steg-O-Saw-Us Hypno-Disc
First Broadcast	April 14th 2000
Original channel	BBC Two
TV Ratings	5.35 million
Preceded by	Semi-Final 1
Succeeded by	Grand Final

"This is it, the most important event in the robotic calendar so far: the second of our Robot Wars semi-finals. Yes folks, in the forty-five minutes, anything can happen, as long as it involves robots bashing the rivets out of each other. Now, since the wars began seventeen shows ago, machines everywhere have been having a go; one man was attacked by a vacuum cleaner, which nearly wiped the floor with him apparently. Then another one was nearly killed by an electric razor, which they say was a really close shave. And one bloke even got into a fight with his trouser press, but I’ve heard they’ve straightened things out. Here though, another eight robots have been content to battle each other, and have made it to the semi-finals."

— Craig Charles' introduction

Semi-Final 2 of Robot Wars: The Third Wars was the second of two Semi-Finals which determined the Grand Finalists of Robot Wars: The Third Wars. The eight semi-finalists were paired off in Round 1, with the four victors pairing off in Round 2 to determine the two Grand Finalists. The episode featuring Semi-Final 2 was originally broadcast on April 14, 2000 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract 5.35 million viewers, an increase of 760,000 viewers when compared with the previous episode. According to BARB, this meant it fell to second in the top thirty highest rated BBC 2 broadcasts during 10-16 April, behind Have I Got News for You.

Competing Robots

Newcomers

	Blade (winner of Heat C)
	Weight	75.5kg
	Dimensions	0.31 x 0.94 x 0.63m
	Clearance	0.03 - 0.07m
	Power	3 x Various Motors
	Weapons	Rotary Lawnmower Blade
	Notes	Cost £146.52
From: Newbury
Team Members: John Ainslie, Ben Reid, Geoff Reid

	Gravedigger (winner of Heat F)
	Weight	79.8kg
	Dimensions	0.62 x 1.31 x 0.82m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Arm Powered by Hydraulic Ram
	Notes	Steel Shell in a Coffin Shape
From: Norwich
Team Members: Jonathan Chaplin, Dave Chaplin, Owen Ramsey

	Hypno-Disc (winner of Heat H)
	Weight	78.3kg
	Dimensions	0.25 x 1.26 x 0.74m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x 750W Electric Motors
	Weapons	600rpm Rotating Disc
	Notes	Cost £800
From: Oxford
Team Members: Dave Rose, Derek Rose, Ken Rose

	Scutter's Revenge (winner of Heat M)
	Weight	79.8kg
	Dimensions	0.47 x 1.30 x 0.80m
	Clearance	Variable
	Power	2 x 2HP Starter Motors
	Weapons	Front Bulldozer Blade
	Notes	High Powered Motors
From: Essex
Team Members: Graham Warner, Oluremi Idris, Darren Ball

	Steg-O-Saw-Us (winner of Heat G)
	Weight	78.1kg
	Dimensions	0.50 x 1.20 x 0.71m
	Clearance	0.01m
	Power	2 x 750W Electric Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Lifting Tail
	Notes	Cost £1,500
From: Southampton
Team Members: Dan King, Peter Rowe, Rob Heasman

	Evil Weevil (winner of Heat L)
	Weight	76.5kg
	Dimensions	0.25 x 1.05 x 0.75m
	Clearance	0.20m
	Power	Electric Motors
	Weapons	Lifting Spikes
	Notes	Build Time: 3 Months
From: Cardiff in Wales
Team Members: Kevin Pritchard, Andrew Davies, Michael Walsh

Veterans

	101 (winner of Heat J)
	Weight	79.5kg
	Dimensions	0.27 x 1.0 x 0.75m
	Clearance	0.05m
	Power	Electrically Powered
	Weapons	CO2 Powered Ram With Spike
	Notes	Cost Under £5
From: Northamptonshire
Team Members: Mike Franklin, Amy Franklin, Paul Johnson

	Beast of Bodmin (winner of Heat I)
	Weight	79.0kg
	Dimensions	0.60 x 1.34 x 0.90m
	Clearance	0.01m
	Power	3 x Motors
	Weapons	Circular Saw & Tusk
	Notes	Large Animated Eyes
From: Cornwall
Team Members: Chris Kinsey, Peter Kinsey, Hender Blewett

Round 1

101 vs Scutter's Revenge

Scutter's Revenge shoves 101

Both robots made their way towards each other, with 101 angling away to line up an attack and then going up the front of Scutter's Revenge's scoop. 101 moved off the scoop, but then went straight back up it, before backing away and going into Shunt's CPZ.

"And very nearly under the hammer blow, there, of Shunt."

— Jonathan Pearce as 101 avoids punishment from the House Robot

The House Robot missed with an axe blow as 101 trundled away from danger, with 101 then driving over the front of Scutter's Revenge's scoop. 101 turned on the spot and then climbed up and off of Scutter's Revenge's side, bending the aerial in the process, as Scutter's Revenge attempted to force 101 back into the CPZ.

"Scutter's Revenge, here, looks mean and menacing."

— Jonathan Pearce

101 moved behind Scutter's Revenge - who was now becoming more limited in its movement due the bent aerial - pushing it side on, while Dead Metal nudged into 101, forcing it to climb over Scutter's Revenge again. 101 then pushed Scutter's Revenge towards Shunt, with Scutter's Revenge resisting just enough to prevent itself going into the House Robot, but 101 kept nagging away, and Scutter's Revenge finally ground to a halt.

"I don't know about you, but I think Scutter's Revenge is finished here, now."

— Jonathan Pearce

101 came in again from behind, as Shunt axed the top of Scutter's Revenge's scoop and then into its shell. Soon after the other House Robots came in to attack the beaten machine.

"Well, trust anything called a Scutter not to clean up. They've been sent to Room 101! 101 go through."

— Craig Charles

Winner: 101

Gravedigger vs Steg-O-Saw-Us

Gravedigger almost flips Steg-O-Saw-Us

Steg-O-Saw-Us started quicker, and showed more speed, but neither robot successfully managed to line up an attack vector for several moments. When the two did collide head-on, Gravedigger could not get underneath with its wedge, but it beat Steg-O-Saw-Us in the push and forced it back into the arena wall and Sir Killalot's CPZ. Sir Killalot shunted Steg-O-Saw-Us onto Gravedigger front wedge, and Gravedigger then thrust out its flipping arm. Steg-O-Saw-Us was nearly flipped over, but survived, as it precariously balanced before coming down onto its wheels.

Steg-O-Saw-Us is flipped up again by Gravedigger

"Almost falling, Steg-O-Saw-Us. Gravedigger in the ascendancy here."

— Jonathan Pearce

Sir Killalot then came out as Gravedigger got too close to the House Robot, before Steg-O-Saw-Us rammed into Gravedigger twice in quick succession, but even when it got an exposed side, Gravedigger's strong drive meant that Steg-O-Saw-Us could not push its opponent around as much as usual. Gravedigger recovered and pushed Steg-O-Saw-Us over the flame pit and into the arena wall, flipping Steg-O-Saw-Us in the process.

Steg-O-Saw-Us rams Gravedigger

"Steg-O-Saw-Us up onto its side! And it comes crashing down."

— Jonathan Pearce

Steg-O-Saw-Us lifts itself up

Matilda quickly used its tusks to right Steg-O-Saw-Us, and the two both escaped the CPZ. Steg-O-Saw-Us then backed up and attempted to use its lifting tail, but Gravedigger was too heavy and the whole front of Steg-O-Saw-Us was lifted as a result. Though, its rear tail had managed to skewer the front lip of Gravedigger and Steg-O-Saw-Us shunted it backwards in a wide arc.

"Now it's Steg-O-Saw-Us doing the pushing."

— Jonathan Pearce

Steg-O-Saw-Us pushed Gravedigger again before cease was called, but once again there was little purchase. Jonathan Pearce asserted that Gravedigger was more aggressive, but despite this, the judges went for Steg-O-Saw-Us.

Winner: Steg-O-Saw-Us

Beast of Bodmin vs Blade

Beast of Bodmin flips over Blade

Both robots made their way towards each other, with Blade then angling away from Beast of Bodmin's wedge. Beast of Bodmin pursued, and forced itself underneath Blade; it attempted to flick it over with its weapon, but could not get enough purchase on Blade, so it survived. Blade moved away and then accelerated towards Beast of Bodmin, skirting over the front of it. Blade crashed into the front of its opponent, before Beast of Bodmin attempted to flip over Blade once more, but missed with the attack.

"A slow and cautious start."

— Jonathan Pearce

Blade spun and then rode over Beast of Bodmin, before Blade went up the wedge of Beast of Bodmin again. This time it levered Blade over onto its side using its lifting ram. Beast of Bodmin then reversed into Blade and tipped it onto its back, immobilising it.

Blade suffers the House Robots' wrath

"And the spinning wheel of Blade shows it's on its side and exposed."

— Jonathan Pearce

Dead Metal then came in and sliced into the lawnmower blade of Blade, causing sparks, before cease was called to put an end to the punishment for Blade.

Winner: Beast of Bodmin

Evil Weevil vs Hypno-Disc

Hypno-Disc strikes Evil Weevil

Hypno-Disc causes minimal damage to the shell of Evil Weevil

Evil Weevil came out first and spun around as Hypno-Disc got its spinning disc up to speed. Hypno-Disc came forward, with Evil Weevil - still spinning - deflecting the first attack aside. Evil Weevil then retreated, and drifted into Dead Metal's CPZ, but got away, forcing Hypno-Disc towards the arena wall in the process. Hypno-Disc then clipped the front of Evil Weevil, before Evil Weevil drove forward and weathered another attack.

"This is interesting, because if the weapon doesn't cause damage from Hypno-Disc, what else does that spinning robot have?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Hypno-Disc then attacked the back of Evil Weevil, causing pieces of armour to fly off. Evil Weevil reversed, with Hypno-Disc's weapon clipping the lifting forks of Evil Weevil as it drove past. The two robots then locked side on, with Hypno-Disc's weapon scuffing the shell. Hypno-Disc continued to attack, hitting the Evil Weevil weapon once more, before flicking it up into the air with another attack.

Evil Weevil becomes immobile after one final attack

File:The fate of evil weevil.jpg

Evil Weevil is punished by the House Robots

"Hypno-Disc, pushing Evil Weevil - ooh, slamming and lifting it."

— Jonathan Pearce

At this stage, it was becoming increasingly clear that Evil Weevil was limited in its movement, so Hypno-Disc continued to attack, before it finally stopped moving completely, and the House Robots came in to attack the immobilised Evil Weevil.

Winner: Hypno-Disc

Round 2

Steg-O-Saw-Us vs Beast of Bodmin

Steg-O-Saw-Us rams Beast of Bodmin

Steg-O-Saw-Us drove around, sizing up its opponent, before driving into Beast of Bodmin, causing minor damage to the front of its opponent.

"There, the wedge shape on the front of Beast of Bodmin; slightly bashed and dented, but of course, scars of war - worthy trophies at this stage..."

— Jonathan Pearce

Steg-O-Saw-Us rammed Beast of Bodmin again, but slipped onto the wedge of Beast of Bodmin, although the flipping ram of Beast of Bodmin could not lift it. Steg-O-Saw-Us bumped into the arena wall and then pushed into the side of Beast of Bodmin, forcing it around the arena for a short amount of time. Beast of Bodmin then caught Steg-O-Saw-Us broadside on, but couldn't get underneath it. Steg-O-Saw-Us sped away towards the flame pit to line up another attack, and then charged at Beast of Bodmin again. Steg-O-Saw-Us forced Beast of Bodmin around again, before ramming it twice in quick succession. Steg-O-Saw-Us attacked again, but couldn't force Beast of Bodmin back, so reversed to line up another attack. Steg-O-Saw-Us then pushed Beast of Bodmin against the arena wall, and it became evident that Beast of Bodmin had stopped moving.

"I think Beast of Bodmin has a real problem here."

— Jonathan Pearce

Steg-O-Saw-Us continued to bash into Beast of Bodmin, before Shunt plunged its axe through Beast of Bodmin's armour. The other House Robots joined in soon after. Beast of Bodmin was then placed onto the arena flipper and flipped, rolling once in midair and landing onto its side before falling back down onto its wheels. Steg-O-Saw-Us went through to the Grand Final.

Winner: Steg-O-Saw-Us

101 vs Hypno-Disc

101 and Hypno-Disc

101 made its way forward, as Hypno-Disc's flywheel clipped the front of 101, causing no damage. Hypno-Disc reversed towards the arena wall and spun its weapon back up to speed. 101 met it side on and then stopped the disc, before pushing Hypno-Disc from behind. It attempted to bring its spike into play, but it missed. Hypno-Disc moved away again, but 101 continued to attack, riding over the top of Hypno-Disc and stopping the weapon again. Hypno-Disc continued to try to get enough space to get the disc back up to speed, while 101 moved over the flame pit and went into Dead Metal. 101 got away with no damage and then met Hypno-Disc head on again, keeping the disc's speed down, before it climbed over the top of Hypno-Disc again.

Hypno-Disc finds itself in the clutches of Dead Metal

"Very close, this Semi-Final battle."

— Jonathan Pearce

Hypno-Disc drove around, with its disc consistently at a slow speed, before it reversed into Dead Metal itself; the house robot brought its circular saw down twice and Hypno-Disc then escaped. 101 then drove at the rear of Hypno-Disc again, with Hypno-Disc reversing to bat away the 101 drive. Hypno-Disc then slammed backwards and forced 101 into Dead Metal, before the two robots locked horns again, with 101 forcing Hypno-Disc into the arena wall.

For the first time, the judges actually inspected the robots up close

"Hypno-Disc's weapon, you know, throughout this Semi-Final, has not been as potent as we thought."

— Jonathan Pearce

Hypno-Disc found itself over the flame pit and just escaped another attack from Dead Metal. The battle concluded with the two robots pushing each other and the decision went to the judges. For the first time ever, the judges went into the arena to inspect for damage before making their decision. The judges went for Hypno-Disc, who progressed to the Grand Final.

"Well I'm being told what the decision is. And they've gone for Hypno-Disc!"

— Craig Charles reveals the winner

Winner: Hypno-Disc

"Who cares about the Ozone, or if the ice cap thaws, we're environmentally unfriendly, on Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles signs off

Trivia

• The second round defeat of Beast of Bodmin was the only time Bodmin Community College failed to reach the Grand Final, and signified their retirement.
• The second round match between 101 and Hypno-Disc signified the first time that the judges descended from their panel to inspect robots up close. The match has been judged as one of the closest in history.
• From this semi-final, only Hypno-Disc, Team Jurassic Park and Team Scutterbots managed to make a Semi-Final again.
• This Semi-Final had six newcomers and two veterans, contrary to Semi-Final 1, which featured three newcomers and five veterans.
• Craig Charles starts this episode by entering the stage with a backflip.