OK, we're up to speed now, lets do this week's Only Connect. Playing the second Group A play-off were the Verbivores, Phyl Styles, blog reader Tom Cappleman and captain Graeme Cole, who were narrowly outdone by the Psmiths in their first match, and the Channel Islanders, Sean and Caroline McManus and captain Tabitha Osbourne, who lost out to the Korfballers two weeks ago. Winners would take the final Group A place in the second round.
Round 1. The Islanders went first, and kicked off the match with Eye of Horus, and the picture set: we saw Nikita Kruschev, then Daniel Radcliffe, then a crocodile on a rock, and finally a burning candle. They saw it in the nick of time: they are visual clues to Elton John songs. The Verbivores opened their account with Horned Viper: now, they saw 'That Great Charmer (1979)', recognised it to be an anagram of Margaret Thatcher, and instantly offered anagrams of prime ministers for FIVE POINTS! Very well done there! (Also, the old joke about 'Tony Blair MP' being an anagram of 'I'm Tory Plan B'!) The Islanders chose Water next: 'Chance Medley', then 'Non Compos Mentis', then 'Of Theft Under 1 Shilling', and finally 'Of a Lesser Offence'. They didn't quite get it, nor did their opponents: they are jury verdicts. (The Islanders offered 'not guilty verdicts', of which only the second clue applies) The Verbivores chose Twisted Flax next: 'Minotaur', then 'Frobscottle', then 'Moloko Plus', and finally 'Duff'. They guessed fictional beers; not right. Their opponents simply offered fictional drinks, which earned them a bonus. For their own question, the Islanders chose Two Reeds, and got the music set: we heard Bobby Darin's 'If I Were a Carpenter', then Beyonce's 'If I Were a Boy', then 'If I Were a Bell' from Guys and Dolls; they didn't notice the link, but their answer at this point of 'songs where the singer wishes they were something else' was accepted for two points. Left with Lion, the Verbivores saw 'Controlled Radio 4 (1996-2000)', then 'Discovered P x 1/V (1662)', then 'Sang Fantine's solo (2009)', and finally 'Directed Isles of Wonder (2012)'; they made an educated guess that they were all people called Boyle, and were correct for a point. (James, Robert, Susan and Danny) At the end of the first round, the Verbivores led 6-4.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Islanders began the round with Water: 'Valentine's', then 'Canal', and then 'Foinavon'; they offered 'Becher's Brook', which was correct for two points, the link being Grand National fences going backwards. The Verbivores chose Two Reeds next: 'Hamlet', then 'King', and then 'Father'. Neither team got this: they are what Hamlet addresses the ghost of his father as, so 'Royal Dane' completes the set. The Islanders chose Twisted Flax next, and got the picture set: we saw actor Don Johnson, then actress Celia Johnson, and then disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson; they spotted the link, and offered 'Amy Johnson', which was accepted for two points. The Verbivores chose Horned Viper next: they saw 'Omnishambles', recognised it to be Oxford Dictionary Words of the Year, knew it to be an emoji, but their answer of a smiley face emoji was not accepted. The Islanders saw 'Selfie' and 'Vape', but couldn't improve on their opponents answer. The crying laughing emoji is the correct emoji to complete the set. Unlucky that. For their final choice, the Islanders chose Lion: '4teen', then '6teen', and then '7teen'. They offered '8een'; not right. Their opponents tried '9teen'; correct! It is the 'teen' numbers where you simply add a number to 'teen' and don't remove any letters. Left with Eye of Horus for their own final question, the Verbivores saw 'Zero', then 'Diet', and then 'Life'; they knew it to be types of coke, but didn't get the right answer. Their opponents did: 'Original' coke completes the set, the link being the increasing number of calories. At the end of the second round, the Islanders led 9-7.
On to the Walls. The Verbivores went first, and chose the Water wall. They spotted some links, unsuccessfully tried some groups, then eventually isolated 'Spud', 'BB', 'Machine' and 'Flare', which are types of gun. After spending some time looking over the remaining clues and trying groups, they finally isolated 'Tartare', 'Carpetbag', 'Salisbury' and 'Chateaubriand', which are steak dishes. With little time left, they tried quickly to resolve it, but couldn't within three, and had to settle for bonuses: 'Diane', 'Sick Boy', 'Renton' and 'Begbie' are characters in Trainspotting, which they didn't get, while 'Angel of the North', 'Quantum Cloud', 'Another Place' and 'Field' are works by Antony Gormley, which they did. Five points there then.
The Islanders thus tackled the Lion wall. They also saw some links early on, and quickly isolated 'Herald', 'Recorder', 'Chronicle' and 'Echo', which are local newspapers. They then isolated 'Serpent', 'Cornet', 'Clarion' and 'Sackbut', which are brass instruments. They studied the remaining clues, and resolved them perfectly: 'O2', 'Genting', 'Odyssey' and 'Hydro' are UK arenas, while 'Bugle', 'Par', 'Redruth' and 'Mousehole' are towns in Cornwall. A full ten there, which gave them a lead of 19-12 going into the final round.
So, still a game up for grabs going into Missing Vowels. Indeed, 'Things found on a CV' was a clean 4-0 sweep to the Verbivores. 'Things that could help you fall asleep' went to the Verbivores 3-1. 'Cartoon dogs and their owners', such as 'SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER AND THE SIMPSONS', also went to the Verbivores 3-1. 'Things that proceed 'monger'', such as 'CHEESE' and 'IRON', was split 1-each, and that was time. The Verbivores snuck home 23-22!
A great close match between two excellent teams. Unlucky Islanders, who were just pipped in the final round, but a great effort and thanks for playing. Very well done Verbivores though, and very best of luck to yous in Round 2!
Next week's match: Fire-Eaters vs Eurovisionaries
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