OK, I think we've all got the hang of the play-off system now. If this week's runners-up scored 19 or more, then they'd definitely be coming back in the play-offs. Playing this week were the Networkers, Frank Little, David Collison and captain Harriet Courtney, and the Cousins, Michael Cannon, his cousin Emma Reeves and her cousin captain David Whitley. As I said yesterday, two distinguished UC alumni here: Ms Courtney was captain of the Open University team that finished second in 96-97 (and have the two highest scores of the BBC era under their belts too), while Mr Whitley was part of the Corpus Christi College Oxford team that won in 04-05 (and weren't later disqualified).
Round 1. The Cousins went first, and kicked the night off with Eye of Horus: '...Duck', then '...House', then '...Builder', and finally '...Gabler'. At the last second, they spotted that they are the final word of Ibsen play titles for a point. The Networkers kicked off the night with Horned Viper, and got the picture set: we saw Yohan Blake first, and then, most unfortunate, Ms Courtney buzzed by mistake and they were forced to come up with an answer. They guessed wrong. (That rule really needs to be tweaked IMO) The Cousins saw the remaining pics, which were Aleister Crowley, a black limo and Mark Labbett. They didn't spot it either: they are all nicknamed 'the Beast'. (The limo being the US presidential car) The Cousins chose Twisted Flax next: 'Henry Bowers', then 'Edgar Evans', then 'Edward Wilson', and finally 'Titus Oates'. They wrongly guessed 'second-in-commands of polar expeditions', which was wrong. Their opponents identified them as members of Scott's ill-fated South Pole expedition and took a bonus. For their own question, the Networkers chose Lion: 'Cafetiere', then 'Condom', then 'Eggy bread', and finally 'Chips'. They offered 'soldiers', which was clever but wrong. The Cousins knew they are all alternatively called French something, for a bonus. (French press, French letter, French toast, French fries) For their own question, the Cousins chose Two Reeds, and got the music question: they didn't recognise any of the pieces except the final one, which was Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, and thus didn't get it. The other clues were Long Black Veil, Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat, and The Red Shoes, so coloured clothing is the connection. Left with Water, the Networkers saw 'Inigo Montoya', then 'Victor Laszlo', then 'Harry Potter', and finally 'Tony Montana'. They didn't know, nor did their opponents: they are all noted for facial scars. At the end of a tough first round, the Cousins led 2-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Cousins began the round with Water: '2010 - Corey Pavin', then '2012 - Davis Love III', and then '2014 - Tom Watson'. They spotted them to be golfers, but didn't get the link, nor did their opponents. They are captains of US Ryder Cup teams, and Davis Love III will captain again later this year, so '2016 - Davis Love III' completes the set. The Networkers chose Eye of Horus next: 'The Shop Around the Corner (film)', then 'In the Good Old Summertime (film)', and then 'She Loves Me (musical)'; they spotted them to be remakes of the other, and correctly guessed 'You Got Mail' for two points. The first clue is a remake of the Hungarian play 'Parfumerie', and the remaining clues are remakes of the previous. The Cousins chose Two Reeds next, and got the picture set: we saw Jethro Tull, the a toll booth, and then a till. They spotted it to be tull, toll, till, and correctly offered William Tell for two points. The Networkers chose Twisted Flax next, and got a music question: we heard 'I Second That Emotion' by Smokey Robinson, then the Minute Waltz (aka the Just a Minute theme), and then 'In the Midnight Hour' by Wilson Pickett. They spotted it to be periods of time in increasing order, and offered 'Lovely Day' by Bill Withers, which was accepted for two points. (Sadly, VCM has brought back the enforced singalongs! Maybe Gerard Mackay should return to the show as resident missing music piece singer!) For their final choice, the Cousins chose Lion: '2005: South Thanet', then '2006: Bromley and Chislehurst) '; they spotted it to be seats contested by Nigel Farage, but didn't offer the right answer. Their opponents saw '2010: Buckingham', but didn't get there either. '2015: South Thanet' completes the sequence. Left with Horned Viper, the Networkers saw 'Base 9', then 'Korf 8'; they spotted it to be ball games with the number of players on each time, but their answer of 'Net 6' wasn't acceptable. The Cousins saw 'Net 7', but 'Basket 6' was wrong too. 'Volley 6' would acceptably complete the sequence. At the end of the second round, the Networkers led 5-4.
On to the Walls. The Networkers went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. After spotting some links, they tried to solve some sets, but were unsuccessful until they finally isolated 'Wraith', 'Carmargue', 'Corniche' and 'Silver Ghost', which are Rolls Royce cars. They then slotted in 'Aspects', 'Superstar', 'Phantom' and 'Starlight', which feature in the titles of Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals. They looked over what was left and worked out the remaining groups: 'Spook', 'Shade', 'Spectre' and 'Revenant' are types of ghost, but they didn't know the connection between 'Trouble', 'Franco', 'Neuron' and 'Boulevard', which all have currencies hidden in them. Seven points there.
The Cousins were left to untangle the Lion wall. They spotted some links, but had trouble isolating the groups. They eventually isolated 'Nehru', 'Donkey', 'Harrington' and 'Dinner', which are types of jacket. They couldn't work the rest of it out in time, and thus had to take bonus points from the unsolved groups. 'Cabbage', 'Combusted', 'Amusement' and 'Brose' all have pop groups hidden in their names, which they didn't get, 'Caravan', 'Science', 'Safari' and 'Country' can all precede 'Park', which they did get, while 'Chrome', 'Torch', 'Opera' and 'Edge' are Internet browsers, which they also got. Four points there, which left them trailing 12-8 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels would decide the show. 'Electoral systems' went to the Networkers 2-1. 'Cliched depictions of Victorian London' went to the Networkers 3-1. 'Twins' went to the Cousins 3-1. 'Measures of volume' was announced, but time ran out before any clues could emerge. The Networkers won 18-13.
A tough match with both teams struggling throughout. Unlucky Cousins, but maybe 13 will bring you back, we'll have to wait and see what happens next week and the week after, but thanks for playing for now. Well done Networkers, and best of luck next time.
Next week's match: Shutterbugs vs Highgates
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