University Challenge 2016-17: Round 1: Match 2: Corpus Christi vs Jesus

Evening all. And after last week's show drew criticism for apparently easier questions, would tonight's show carry that on, or would the questions get harder again? I think it normal that the questions would be a bit easier in the first round compared to the later stages, but we shall see. Some people did think the questions a bit too hard in the last series, so a tone down in difficulty may prove welcome to some. But on with tonight's show.

Corpus Christi College Oxford was founded in 1517, and alumni include the brothers Miliband. It's UC history is certainly memorable: 2004-05, series champions; 2006-07, join the Sub-50 club; 2008-09, romp to victory in the final thanks to the buzzer brilliance of Gail 'the Great' Trimble only to be disqualified a week later following a 'scandal' that would have quickly blown over had it happened any year prior to that. This year's foursome, with a lot to live up to, were:
Tom Fleet, from Pendoggett in Cornwall, studying English
Emma Johnson, from North London, studying Medicine
Captain: Nikhil Venkatesh, from Derby, studying PPE
Adam Wright, from Winnersh in Berkshire, studying Physics

Jesus College Cambridge is even older, founded in 1496, and its alumni include Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, the poet Coleridge and Celebrity OC alumnus Nick Hornby. It's best performance on modern UC has been a QF appearance in the 90s and two consecutive onees in the mid '00s; their most recent appearance, however, four years ago (can you believe I've been doing this that long?) saw them heavily beaten in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Sam Fairbrother, from Greater Manchester, studying Education with Drama and English
Rosa Price, from East London, studying English
Captain: Theo Morris Clarke, from London, studying Economics
Daniel Petrides, from Petts Wood in Kent, studying Political Thought and Intellectual History

Off we set again then, and Jesus set off first, Mr Fairbrother taking the first starter, and the side firmly set their stall out by taking a full set of bonuses on drinking in Shakespeare. Corpus Christi followed them off the mark, and they too took a full set of bonuses, suggesting we might be in for a cracker. A second starter from a very quick buzz and a second full bonus set went to the Oxford side, seemingly confirming this. It wasn't until the fourth bonus set of the night, Corpus Christi's third, that a wrong answer occurred. The first picture round, on basic set theory exercises (no, me neither) went to Jesus, who managed just the one bonus, which reduced their deficit to 70-40.

A very quick buzz from Miss Johnson reestablished Corpus Christi's foothold, but their early bonus prowess seemed to have worn off, as none of the bonuses were taken. Another starter and two bonuses took the Oxonians into triple figures, only for a slip-up to drop them back to doubles, and allow Jesus back into the game. Two bonuses followed, before a very quick buzz of their own gave them a bonus set on Micronesian islands, which they also took two of. Very good match so far, both sides looking very impressive.

The music round, on scores of Pixar films, went to Jesus, who, again, took two, which gave them a slender lead of 100-95. A second slip-up from Corpus Christi widened that lead, but Jesus couldn't capitalise. The Oxonians drew level by taking the next starter and reclaimed the lead with two bonuses on US history. Another penalty slipped Corpus Christi back a bit more, and this time Jesus did take the points, and the lead back, but they got nothing from a tricky physics bonus set. A buzz on the cricketer Alistair Cook did add to the lead, and two bonuses followed. It was then the Cambridge side's turn to slip-up, which allowed Corpus Christi back into the match, and a full bonus set gave them the lead back.

The second picture round, on silhouette portraits of composers, went to Jesus after the starter was dropped; two bonuses followed, which gave them the lead back, 145-130. Anyone's game going into the home stretch. Corpus Christi took the next starter and the lead back with two bonuses on US public holidays. A second starter in a row went to the Oxford side, and two bonuses on Homer's Odyssey gave them a crucial 25 point cushion.

Mr Wright crucially took the next starter, and an amusing bonus set on actors in Monty Python and the Holy Grail gave them another two and they now led by 45 with not long left. Jesus would simply have to go for it now: they did, Mr Morris Clarke taking the next starter and two bonuses on inorganic chemistry gave them two correct answers. After a pause, Mr Morris Clarke took the next starter (long after I'd got the right answer!), but when the side dropped all the bonuses, that was probably game over. Mr Fleet confirmed this by taking the next starter, and the gong immediately followed. Corpus Christi won 200-175.

A very good match indeed between two very good and promising teams indeed. Unlucky Jesus, who led many times during the match, but I would imagine 175 will be enough for the play-offs, so we'll most likely see them again there. Well done Corpus Christi though; a fine first performance against good opposition and they could have a good run with a favourable draw; best of luck to them next time!

Mr Wright was the night's best buzzer, with five, while Mr Morris Clarke was best for Jesus with four. On the bonuses Corpus Christi converted a very good 21 out of 30 (with a not so very good three penalties), while Jesus managed 16 out of 30 (with one penalty), so the match was won on the bonuses. And for the second week in a row, all eight players got at least one starter right.

Next week's match: Liverpool vs Warwick

Only Connect was pretty good tonight as well, though I'll deal with that tomorrow night, hopefully. And, remember, new Robot Wars starts this Sunday at 8!