Evening all. One of the good things about watching multiple quiz shows is spotting contestants you have already seen on other shows; for example, Robert Greenhill from the very good Leicester team from last year's UC was on Brain of Britain this afternoon, though I won't spoil how well he did! On with today's game, where two more teams would play it out, the winners going to the qualifying round, the runners-up to the elimination round.
Imperial College London trounced our friends Reading in their first match, and did an almost carbon copy on Sidney Sussex College Cambridge in their second, impressing on the buzzer and the bonuses both times, and racking up the highest collegiate score so far. They were the same foursome as before:
Ben Fernando, from Birmingham, studying Physics
Ashwin Braude, from North London, studying Physics
Captain: James Bezer, from Manchester, studying Physics
Onur Teymur, from North London, studying Mathematical Statistics
Nuffield College Oxford narrowly came through two lower scoring matches, with victories over Queen Mary London in the first round and Warwick in the second, mostly via decent buzzer work, which they may not have the luxury of again tonight. They were also unchanged from before:
Spencer Smith, from Holland, Michigan, studying Economics
Alexander Sayer Gard-Murray, from Los Angeles, studying Politics
Captain: Mathias Ormestad Frendem, from Oslo, studying International Relations
Daniel Kaliski, from Cape Town, studying Economics
Off we set again then, and Imperial slipped-up instantly, handing Nuffield the first starter and two bonuses on 1944 conferences. The London side made up for that mistake by taking the next starter and all three bonuses on the work of the mathematician Hilbert to level the scores. But a second slip-up handed Nuffield back the lead, plus they took the starter and all the bonuses as well. Then it was Nuffield's turn to drop five, and Imperial took the starter, but no bonuses. The first picture round, on Hanseatic cities, went to Imperial, who took two bonuses, and snuck into the lead 45-40.
Mr Bezer made up for his earlier errors by taking the next starter, and the resulting bonuses gave the comedy moment of the night when Imperial offered 'Pietro Aronica' for one them! (Mr Aronica, as you may remember, represented Imperial on UC three years ago!) None of the bonuses followed, but Mr Fernando took the next starter, and a set on Russian oblasts proved more to their liking, with all three being picked up. Nuffield re-entered proceedings courtesy of Mr Ormestad Frendem, but just the one bonuses accompanied it. Still, at this point, it was either side's game.
The music starter was unluckily missed by both sides; the bonuses, on dance interludes in opera, went to Imperial, but none of them were taken, leaving their lead at 90-55. Another mistake from Mr Bezer dropped five, and gave Nuffield the points, but just one bonus on steroids followed. A second starter in a row went to the Oxford side, but, again, just one bonus followed. It was enough, however, to level the scores.
The second picture round, on female heads of government, went to Imperial, who took two bonuses, which gave them back the lead, 105-85. Mr Bezer took a second starter in a row, but, again, just the one bonus followed. This sort of profligacy had been the problem for both sides throughout. Mr Teymur took his first starter of the night, and two bonuses on the Barbary region gave them their biggest lead of the night.
A perfectly timed and patient buzz from Mr Fernando gave Imperial further maneuvering room, and a set of bonuses on curves saw them get one bonus again, and myself get another after recalling a starter from six years ago! Another starter to Imperial, and that was most likely them home and dry, with two bonuses seeming conforming this. The London side managed one final starter, and, again, just the one bonus followed. At the gong, Imperial won 190-85.
A low scoring but close match, and, until Imperial ran away at the end, it was anyone's game. Unlucky Nuffield, who were outplayed on the buzzer late on, but we'll see you again, of course, and best of luck in your eliminator. Well done to Imperial though; not quite as imperious (no pun intended) as before, but another sizeable win nonetheless, and best of luck in your qualifier!
Mr Bezer was narrowly the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Fernado's five, while Mr Kaliski was best for Nuffield with two (his colleagues all got one each). On the bonuses, Imperial converted an OK 17 out of 36 (with three penalties), while Nuffield managed 8 out of 15 (with one penalty). Both sides around half the bonuses then, thus explaining the low-ish scores.
Next week's match: Newcastle vs Liverpool (best of luck to all readers involved!)
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