Period 14 proved to be a dramatic one as previous leaders the "Fanatics" (AtkinsRealis, India) slipped back two places after a 2% deterioration to relinquish top spot to "Whatever it takes" (Stantec, Italy), who moved up one place to lead the table with 2,559 pts after a solid 6% growth. And it is Stantec 1-2 a the top as "Stan Movers" (Stantec, United States) also climbed one place to second. With the previous leaders losing what seemed like a large 111 point lead, clearly with the quality of the teams taking part any lead will come under threat each round, and it is already looking like a topsey turvey final, with 4 rounds still to go.

Once more it was an encouraging round on the bidding front with every team able to secure some new work, but growth figures were mixed. The best performance, and emphasising once more what a good period it was for Stantec, came from "Stantogether" (Stantec, Australia) with an impressive 12% improvement that lifted them off the foot of the table. Their success was built upon winning one of the largest job awards in the quarter, a large 23m project with the India Power Corporation, secured after they held off stiff competition from "HatchGPT" (Hatch, South Africa), and it was their superior relationship with the client that tipped the balance in their favour despite have a slightly higher bid than their rivals. The best positional gain in the round came from "Constructive Chaos" (Arcadis Australia Pacific, Australia), as their management team learnt quickly from a 5% decline in period 13 to come back strongly with 10% growth, and a 5-place climb up the table, and right back into a contention.

Those of you who were following the predictions of the ENGINUITY CRYSTAL BALL in the Preliminary Rounds will remember that very early on "Infraco Invasion" (Infraco Consulting, UK) had been picked out as dark horses, and they duly backed up the confidence in them by qualifying in 7th place for the Final. Well, they slipped back a bit in period 14, but I am sure they will be having a quiet word with the old sage for some words of wisdom to enable them to make a comeback in the next round.