"Size My Grid" Test Players Test Extra Game Result

Several people grappled with Ged’s puzzler over the Middlesex Test Players’ Test.  Ged was convinced that it must be possible to fit all of those players into a smaller grid than the 19x26 grid devised by test-meister and author Peter Cox. 

Pistol Pete McCabe rose to the challenge.  He writes:

“I thought I'd have a crack at this one, and after a lot of trial and error (mainly the latter) I came up with a 22 by 18 grid which is my competition entry.  Diagram 1 - Pete’s entry (below):

Sometime later I wondered if there was any crossword software on the net; the answer is yes there is, and it came up with 21 by 17 (computer on the attachment). However it would be a hollow victory to win with this, so I don't want it to be my official entry”.  Diagram 2: The computer’s entry (below):

So there it is.  Once again, the computer technically wins.  And I’m sure Peter Cox would not have wanted anything different, being a bit of a propeller-head himself.  Hats off, though, to Pistol Pete, for one-upping Peter Cox’s original effort.  Pass your address details on to me, Pete and that infinitesimally small prize will be winging its way to you at high speed.