Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 5: University Challenge R1M5, Only Connect R1M4, Mastermind Heat 4

Hello again my friends, and welcome back to JOW for another Quizzy Monday! Much better than last week as well, due to a lack of strong winds, though the heat in my flat is almost as strong this evening(!), and the presence of Mastermind in the line-up! Even if I don't review it as thoroughly this time. Coming up, that plus our first UC alumni of the series (that I know of) on OC, which reminds me I need to finally update that list of mine once the first round of UC is done. Speaking of which...

 

Manchester is appearing in a 23rd BBC series; it had something of a Golden Age on the show between 2004-05 and 13-14, reaching at least the semis in every series it appeared in, winning three and being retroactively awarded a fourth. The bubble burst after that though, though they have reached the QFs twice and the SFs of AR's first series; last year, they went out in the first round. Playing for them this year were:

Ray Power, from Bangkok, studying English Literature and Film

Kirsty Dickson, from Morley Green in Cheshire, studying Medicine

Captain: Kai Madgwick, from Fowey in Cornwall, studying AI in Astrophysics

Rob Faulkner, from Norwich, studying Physics with Astrophysics  

 

New College Oxford, in contrast, is only appearing in its fourth BBC series. Its first, the very first BBC series, saw its team finish runners-up to the Trinity Cambridge team of Meesrs Blanchflower and Kwarteng. Its second was a first round exit, while its third, in 2012-13, one of Manchester's four wins, saw them reach the semis. It also won the second ever series of UC way back in 1965. They were represented by:

Benji Stimpson, from North Norfolk, studying Conservation Biology

Paige Crawley, from Toronto, studying Lingustics

Captain: Jonah Poulard, from North West London, studying Russian and Linguistics

Daan Timmers, from Utrecht, studying Theoretical Physics  

 

The two sides shared the first two starters of the match, but neither took any of the resulting bonuses. Manchester took the next two starters though and, after the first picture round, they led 55-10. Both sides then lost five points, but it was Manchester who picked up their opponents' drop and two bonuses followed. New College broke back, and took two bonuses on the 1954 World Cup final, and were unfortunate not to get the third due to not knowing Jack Charlton's first name! The sides continued to swap starters and, after the music round, Manchester led 90-35.

 

New College took another starter and sole bonus to reach 50, but Manchester's captain Mr Madgwick, who'd been doing all the heavy lifting so far, took another two starters and a solid haul of bonuses. And, when Ms Dickson took Manchester's third in a row and all three bonuses followed, they had a potentially match winning lead. New College did take the second picture round, after which they'd cut the gapt to 160-65. The Oxonians got a bit of a late run on the buzzer to reach three figures, but surely it was too late? Or maybe not; Manchester lost ten points on two successive starters, New College picked up one of them, and suddenly were only five behind! And then the next starter gave them the lead! Only for Manchester to finally reawake and immediately take it back! Next starter would win it; Mr Poulard buzzed first, but was wrong! That man Mr Madgwick obliged, and that was game over. At the gong, Manchester won 170-150.

 

A very exciting match indeed; well played both teams! Well done Manchester, and best of luck in the second round! Hard lines to New College, who did very well indeed to recover that much ground in so little time, and who'll hopefully be back in the repechage; thanks for playing for now though, superb effort!

 

The stats: Mr Madgwick was, by far and away, the best buzzer of the night with NINE(!) starters, while Ms Crawley was best for New College with four. On the bonuses, Manchester managed 18 out of 27 (with four penalties) and New College 12 out of 30 (with two penalties), so it was the bonuses that won it for Manchester.

 

Next week's match: Cardiff vs Bristol

 

Only Connect’s fourth first round heat was contested by the 5ks, Fiona Titcombe, Thomas Carey and captain James Haughton (UC alumnus who had the misfortune to be part of one of the Manchester teams from just after their afore-mentioned Golden Age ended), and the Showstoppers, Lowri Williams, Rhys Davies and captain Tom Parry-Jones (also formerly of UC).

 

I claim the same point as the 5ks on the changed their name to George question in the first round; the Showstoppers led 6-1 at the end of that. I also claim the same two points as the 5ks on the presidents of South Africa question in the second round, and the same two points as the Showstoppers on the compass points and Baby Shark questions (I apologise for that!); the latter led 10-5 after that.

 

The 5ks went first on the Walls, and methodically worked out all the groups, but only got three connections, so seven points. The Showstoppers only worked out one group, but did get all the connections, so five points, which meant their lead had been cut to 15-12 going into Missing Vowels. They maintained and increased their lead in that though, and ran out winners 22-16. Well played both teams, another enjoyable contest; best of luck in your next games.

 

Next week's match: Scanners vs Worker Bees 

 

Mastermind’s fourth heat was won by Miles Searle, who was fourth after the SS round, but turned the game on its head with the best GK round to win with 22 points, two ahead of Devon Krohn in second with 20. Hannah Mimiec and Basab Majumdar also competed, scoring 19 and 15 respectively.

 

And that's another week in the bag! Thanks as ever for reading, and here's hoping next week will be as thrilling as this was! Back same time same place as usual next Monday with my usual write-up, so, see yous then...

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 4: University Challenge R1M4, Only Connect R1M3

Good evening again my friends, and welcome to another Quizzy Monday! A shorter one mind, with no Mastermind tonight, but at least the cricket was exciting enough to make it sort of worth it. A very windy day up here of course, but my TV is still working thankfully, unlike my parents whose satellite seems to have been blown out, so they had to use Freeview for our OC watchalong. More on that later; for now, on with UC...

 

Newcastle have been appeared twelve previous times during the BBC era, with their most successful being when they reached the semis in 2017-18; its last appearance was in the final Paxo-era series of 22-23, where they were unlucky to draw and lose to U.C.L. in the second round. Playing for them this year were:

Anna McCully Stewart, from Forest Hill in North Tyneside, studying English Literature

Alice Groth, from Oxford, studying English Language and Literature

Captain: Laurie Guard, from Rugby, studying Medicine

Dan Hill, from Cambridgeshire, studying Astrophysics  

 

Edinburgh has appeared nearly double the amount of times as their opponents in the BBC era, with 23 prior outings to tonight, of which their best was when they won the series in 2018-19; their last two appearances on the show have both been second round exits, last year to Harrison Whitaker's Darwin Cambridge team. This year's team comprised of:

Parthav Easwar, from Portland, Oregon, studying Sustainable Lands and Cities

Johnny Richards, from Los Angeles, studying Ancient DNA

Captain: Alice Leonard, from Portsmouth, studying Environment, Culture and Society

Rayhana Amjad, from Dublin and Glasgow, studying Computer Science  

 

Newcastle took the first starter, and two bonuses, but then lost five on the second starter; Edinburgh didn't pick it up, but did take the third starter and all three bonuses. Another penalty to the Toon allowed Edinburgh to pull further away and, after the first picture round, they led 70-10. The Scots side took another starter to pull away, but then a penalty of their own brought Newcastle back into the game, and they took a full house of their own. It proved a brief blip as Edinburgh reassumed their dominance and, after the music round, which Newcastle were very unlucky not to get TBF, they led 115-35.

 

Another starter and single bonus put Edinburgh five away from a three figure lead; AR gave Newcastle his standard 'plenty of time', only for them to lose another five on the very next starter. Edinburgh picked up the points. Newcastle did finally get some more points on the board, and indeed took another full house, which showed they could maybe catch up if they could get a run going. They did take the second picture round, which cut the gap to 155-70. Another starter, and two bonuses, put Newcastle within sight of three figures, but Edinburgh took the next starter and were within sight of victory. Newcastle took the next starter, but just one bonus, and that was game over. Edinburgh cemented their victory and just about made it to 200 before the gong; they won 200-105.

 

Another most enjoyable contest between two very pleasant teams; well played both. Well done Edinburgh, a worthy victory over worthy opponents; best of luck in the second round! Hard lines to Newcastle, who I think were a bit unlucky there; had a few buzzes gone their way, I think this could've been a lot closer. They acquitted themselves well though; thanks for playing!

 

The stats: Mr Amjad was the best buzzer of the night with six starters, while Ms Groth and Mr Guard were joint best for Newcastle with two each. On the bonuses, Newcastle managed 12 out of 18 (with three penalties) and Edinburgh 18 out of 33 (with two penalties) and, pleasingly, all eight players got at least one starter correct.

 

Next week's match: Manchester vs New College Oxford

 

Only Connect’s third first round heat pitted the Metrophiles, Matt Rowland, Dimitri Sameresinghe (who was on Mastermind last series) and captain Damian Evans, against the Grapevines, Pam Cooke, Joe Gellman and captain Amber Field-Webber.

 

My Mum claims the same two points as the Metrophiles on the kite flying question, and I claim the same point as the Grapevines on the Robbie Williams question; the former led 4-3 at the end of that round. I’m claiming two points on the Saints days star signs question for saying “Cetaur for St Andrew” instead of the model answer of Archer; the Metrophiles led 10-4 after that.

 

On to the Walls, and the Grapevines quickly a secured a much needed full house for a full ten. The Metrophiles also got all four sets pretty quickly, but missed one of the connections; seven points there, which meant the gap had closed to 17-14 going into Missing Vowels. They just about maintained that lead there though, and won the game 23-19. Another good game; well done both teams, and best of luck next time.

 

And that's it for another week! Hopefully next week the weather will be better so my parents and I will be on the same page and them not a touch behind when watching OC. And Mastermind is back too I believe, so a full house of quizzes once again. Whatever happens, I'll be back same time same place with my usual write-ups; so, see yous then...

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 3: University Challenge R1M3, Only Connect R1M2, Mastermind Heat 3

Good evening again my friends, and welcome back to another Quizzy Monday! The third of the season, and the second full line-up, though hope you enjoyed it while you could, as apparently Mastermind is off next week. Suppose we'd better get used to this as, if last season is anything to go by, it'll be happening a fair few times to come yet. Anyway, lets save that for when it happens; lets get on with tonight's action, beginning with UC as usual...

 

Two Southern institutions tonight. Bath were semi-regulars in this blog's early days, appearing in five series in seven from 08-09 to 14-15, but only won one game in that time; it's last appearance was a week before IndyRef1 when they lost to, appropriately, Glasgow. Playing for them this year were:

Lewis Blakeborough, from Kent, studying Physics

Sajjan Johal, from Nottingham, studying Maths and Physics

Captain: Joni Wildman, from Nottingham, studying the use of fungi to make insulation materials

Luca Romagnoli, from Croydon, studying Biochemistry  

 

Southampton have made somewhat more regular appearances during the BBC era of the show, of which its best was in the final Paxo-era series three years ago, when they reached the semi-finals; its last team went out in the play-offs two series ago. This year, they were represented by:

Cormac Stephenson, from Stratford in London, studying Maths

Zain Mahmood, from Skipton in Yorkshire, studying Maths with Computer Science

Captain: Florence Williams, from Essex, studying Medicine

Ben Hermanns-Kermode, from Horsham, studying Chemistry  

 

Bath took the first starter of the night, and took one bonus; Southampton took the second, and took all three bonuses. The Saints went on to take the next two starters as well, including the first picture round, and took two bonuses from each, giving them a lead of 65-15. Bath then took two starters in a row, and two bonuses from both bonus sets took them within 10 points. But Southampton reawoke and duly pulled away again, and, after the music round, the starter to which Mr Stephenson got in just a couple of seconds(!), they had upped their lead to 120-55.

 

And onwards and upwards Southampton pushed until their lead reached three figures. Bath did finally get some more points on the board thanks to Mr Romagnoli knowing who won the last Copa America, but they only took one bonus. The second picture round went to Southampton; just one bonus followed for them too, but they now led 190-65. Game over as a contest; just a question of how high both teams could get. Bath did take another starter, but none of the bonuses, and they then lost five of those points to a forgivable penalty. Southampton won the race for a suddenly-obvious answer of 'Liberia' to take themselves past 200, and took the remaining points, but didn't quite manage a 200+ win. At the gong, Southampton won 255-70.

 

A rather one-sided contest, but a watchable one with two pleasant teams; kudos to them for shaking hands at the end, which I'm very pleased to see is a regular occurance now. Well done Southampton, a pretty impressive first showing with all four players contributing well; best of luck to them in the second round! Hard lines to Bath, but they kept going for it and came across very well; thanks very much for playing!

 

The stats: Mr Hermanns-Kermode was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Romagnoli was best for Bath with four. On the bonuses, Bath managed 6 out of 15 (with two penalties) and Southampton 25 out of 38.

 

Next week's match: Newcastle vs Edinburgh

 

Only Connect’s second heat was contested by Oh No They Didn’t, Lizzy Riley, George Dickenson and captain Diya Shah, and the Pear Trees, Alex Johnston, Chris Watson and captain Nick Ridgman.

 

My Dad and I collectively got the question about places with another country in their name for two points in the first round, and we’d have probably gotten the red music question and the Fools and Horses question with more time; ONTD led 6-2 at the end of that round. I claim two points on the seven pigs question in the second round, my Dad claims the same three as the Trees on the scouts question and another three on the number of balls question. And I think everyone got the same two points as ONTD on the eye colours question; they led 10-8 after that.

 

ONTD went first on the Walls, solved all four sets in pretty short order, and knew all the connections for the first full ten of the series. The Trees took a bit longer, but did also get all four sets; only three connections though, so seven points, meaning they trailed 20-15 going into Missing Vowels. They recovered well there, helping when VCM somewhat generously allowed their answer of ‘ODD PIGEON’ in lieu of ‘DEAD PIGEON’! Thankfully it didn’t affect the outcome; ONTD won 24-21. Well played both teams, best of luck in your next games.

 

Mastermind’s third heat was narrowly won by Elis Matthews, whose 20 points saw him just edge the win ahead of Kumaran Sivathillainathan with 19 and Eulalie Burrows with 18. Ellen Salkeld completed the line-up with 13.

 

And that's our third week done! Thanks as ever for reading; as I said before, I understand there's no Mastermind next week, so it's just the classic 2010s Monday night combo of UC and OC. I'll be back same time same place next week to cover them as usual, so, see yous then...