Evening all. After last week's show, and WW's reaction to it, I've realised I've never really expressed my thoughts on that disqualification, so I'll maybe do that later in the week. On with tonight's show, and two teams with a lot to live up to.
Liverpool University was founded in 1903, and is thought to have originated the term 'redbrick' (which the team had signified by bringing a brick as their mascot!). Alumni include poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Reading legend Steve Coppell and TV man Phil Redmond. Lest we forget, they reached the semis last series, equaling the uni's best performance under Paxo. This year's foursome were:
Nick Kurek, from Shrewsbury, studying Microbiology
Guy Nicholls, from Cambridgeshire, studying Egyptology
Captain: Gethin Hopkin, from Somerset, studying Medicine
Pauline Rowe, from Widnes, studying Creative Writing
Warwick University is a plate-glass uni founded in 1965, and is named after the historic county of Warwickshire, not its actual location of Coventry. Alumni include comedy writer Stephen Merchant, drive time man Simon Mayo and Room 101 keeper Frank Skinner. Its team were unlucky to lose to Nuffield in the second round last year; its finest UC hour was undoubtedly when it won it in 2006-07. This year's quartet were:
Sophie Hobbs, from Birmingham, studying French and History
Sophie Rudd, from Immingham in Lincolnshire, studying Computer Science
Captain: Giles Hutchings, from Farnham in Surrey, studying Maths
Thomas Van, from Geneva, studying History
Off we set again then, and Warwick hit the mark first courtesy of Mr Van, but got nothing from their bonuses on museums. Mr Nicholls promptly opened Warwick's account, and they did marginally better, taking one bonus on Hinduism. Miss Rudd gave Warwick back the lead, and a set of bonuses on Marilyn Monroe proved more to their liking, as they took two, before Mr Hutchings, a former Countdown champion, pulled them further ahead. Just the one bonus followed this time. The first picture round, on flags with all but their stars removed, went to Warwick, who, again, took just the one, but still led 60-15.
A starter was dropped, before Ms Rowe pulled Liverpool back into the game, and they took two bonuses on calendar feasts. The very topical idea of northern England joining an independent Scotland came up in the next starter, and Miss Rudd was first on the buzzer with the points. Just the one bonuses followed again. Warwick had clearly had the better on the buzzers, but their rather slow bonus rate was keeping Liverpool in it.
The music round, on spoken parts of pop songs, went to Liverpool, who took one bonus, which reduced the deficit to 75-50. A slip-up from Warwick gave Liverpool a chance to retake the lead; they took the starter, but had the horrible luck to run into a bonus set on physics. Mr Van moved Warwick further ahead, but, again, the side struggled with the bonuses, taking just none. But it mattered not, as Miss Rudd won the buzzer race again, and the side took two bonuses to lift themselves into triple figures. Miss Rudd took a second starter in a row, and a bonus set on rice gave them two again.
The second picture round, on details of dogs in paintings, went to Warwick, who took just the one bonus again, but now led 135-65. Still a chance for Liverpool, but Miss Rudd didn't seem to want to let them take it; another buzz moved them ahead, as did two bonuses. What looked like a complete guess gave Liverpool another starter, and two bonuses on philosophy showed they maybe weren't finished yet, if they could get a few more starters.
But that was as close as they could get from now on. Miss Rudd all but confirmed Warwick's win by identifying Kabuki about a second after I guessed it! Two bonuses on astrology added to their score, as did another starter from the impressive Miss Rudd, who looked hopeful about the resultant bonuses on administrative districts, but they got nothing from them. Mr Kurek tried his luck on the next starter, but was wrong; Miss Rudd was right, and Warwick finally got a full bonus set right. Just to rub it in, they then went and got a set full bonus set in a row. Liverpool took one more starter, but the gong prevented them reaching triple figures. Warwick won 235-95.
A match that started slow and only really picked up when Warwick gathered momentum in the second half. Unlucky Liverpool, who were simply outbuzzed throughout, but thanks for taking part nonetheless. Very well done to Warwick though on an impressive first effort; a more consistent bonus rate and they could go far indeed this year, so best of luck to them for next time!
Miss Rudd's impressive buzzer form saw her end the match with nine(!) starters to her name, while Mr Nicholls was best for Liverpool win three. On the bonuses, Liverpool converted 7 out of 16, while Warwick managed 20 out of 42 (with one penalty). As I said, improve that bonus rate, and we could be looking at future champions here.
Next week's match: a Cambridge derby between Queens' College and current champs Peterhouse
Only Connect saw two more Countdown alumni, one of whom another former champ, pop up tonight. But more on that tomorrow.
Phenomenal performance by Sophie Rudd and well done to Warwick for getting everyone answering on the buzzer too. A star player supported by a solid team is a sign of a team that can go far.
ReplyDeleteThe Jupiter answer (in response to the planet nearest in size to the Indian Ocean) by Liverpool Kurek attracted criticism in the Twittersphere. However, under the spotlight of the cameras and the pressures of TV recording, it is an error that the best of us can make.