OK, Only Connect time. A losing score above 20 would give the runners-up a definite place in the play-offs, or as Victoria seems to be calling it, the sub-round. Playing last night were the Genealogists, Derek Caudwell, Andy Crane and captain Traci Whitehead, and the Surrealists, Jeremy Partington, Chris James and captain Jonathan Carter.
Round 1. The Genealogists kicked off proceedings with Lion: '.ie & .is', then '10(to the 6) & 10(to the 9)'; they immediately offered 'words different by just one letter', which was correct (Ireland and Iceland, million and billion) for three points! Great start to the show. The Surrealists opened their account with Water, and got the music set: we heard Al Jolson singing 'About a Quarter to Nine', then Lionel Richie's 'Penny Lover', 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?', and finally 'I Need a Dollar' by Aloe Blacc. Neither side saw it; their names all contain American currency units. The Genealogists chose Two Reeds next: 'A violin's extraneous discordant notes', then 'Lotharios', then 'Molineux team'; they offered 'Wanderers'. Not right. The Surrealists saw the final clue, 'Canis lupus', and offered 'Wolves', which was correct for a bonus. For their own question, the Surrealists chose Horned Viper, and got the picture set: we saw an aye-aye with a two in the corner, then some ivy with a four in the corner, then Dalziel (as in 'and Pascoe') with 550 in the corner; they saw it to be homophones for Roman numerals, and duly collected two points. The Genealogists chose Eye of Horus next: 'Nuclear chain reaction', then 'Hologram', then 'Ballpoint pen', and finally 'Rubik Cube'. The last clue gave it to them that they are Hungarian inventions, for a point. Left with Twisted Flax, the Surrealists saw 'Mother: Glenn Close', then 'Half-brother: Danny DeVito', then 'Sisters-in-law: Julie Kavner', and finally 'Father: Dan Castellaneta'. They spotted it to be people who voice relatives of Homer Simpson in the Simpsons, and collected their point. At the end of a good first round, the teams were tied at 4-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Genealogists kicked the round off with Lion, and got a music sequence: we heard 'Unchained Melody' sung by Jimmy Young, then the Righteous Brothers singing the same song; they offered Gareth Gates singing the song, and collected three points, the link being versions of the song that reached No 1. (For once, the enforced singalong was quite good!) The Surrealists chose Twisted Flax next: 'reD', then 'miE'; they offered 'soG', which was correct for three points, the sequence being 'Do-re-mi' in the scale of C. The Genealogists chose Water next: 'Santer', then 'Prodi'; they offered 'Juncker', for another three points, the links being presidents of the European Commission. Very good from both teams so far. The Surrealists pressed on with Eye of Horus next: '(little raised 3)= consumed', then '(little raised 2)= in favour of'; they offered '(little raised 0)= had a victory', which was accepted for another three points, the link this time being homophones of the powers of two. For their final choice, the Genealogists chose Two Reeds, and got the picture set: we saw Saturn, then the Sun; they offered Venus, which this time was wrong. The Surrealists saw the Moon, but had no answer to add. They spotted it too late: they are days of the week etymologies, so the Norse God Tyr would complete the set. Left with Horned Viper, the Surrealists saw 'Helena', then 'Sacramento', and then 'Austin'; they spotted it to be US state capitals going by size of state, and offered 'Juneau' for two points. At the end of an impressive second round, the Surrealists led 12-10.
On to the Walls. The Surrealists went first this time, and opted for the Lion wall. They spotted a couple of links immediately, and isolated 'Sousa', 'Cage', 'Ives' and 'Glass', which are surnames of American composers. They then slotted in 'Work', 'Photo', 'Barber' and 'Sweat', which can all precede 'shop'. They looked over the remaining clues, and had the remaining sets: 'Louis', 'Lucia', 'Albans' and 'Kilda' can all follow 'St' to give place names, while 'Mapple', 'Granger', 'Tuck' and 'Cadfael' are fictional clergy; unfortunately, they went too specific and offered 'monks' instead, thus denying them a full house. Nonetheless, seven vital points.
The Genealogists thus could make up the ground lost if they could sweep the Water wall clean. They fairly quickly had their first set: 'Arete', 'Corrie', 'Erratic' and 'Roche moutonnee' are features of glacial erotion. Their second set came almost instantly: 'Kittle', 'Fickle', 'Mercurial' and 'Capricious' are synonyms for 'unpredictable'. They worked out what was left, but couldn't untangle it within their three gos, and had to pick up bonus points: 'Riley', 'Treweek', 'Weisz' and 'Hunter' are famous Rachels, which they got (my Dad was not impressed they didn't get that!), while 'Gwyn', 'De Witt', 'Wight' and 'LeBlanc' are surnames which mean 'white', which they also got. So six points there, which left them trailing 19-16 going into the final round.
So, as is so often the case, Missing Vowels would be the decider. 'Adjectives involving colours', such as 'BLACK-HEARTED', was split 2-each. 'Similes' likewise. 'Things that are lacking in justice', such as 'STAR CHAMBER', likewise again. 'Comedy duos' went to the Surrealists 1-0, with it getting cut off before they could get the final one. At the end of the game, the Surrealists won 26-22.
A very good match indeed between two very good teams indeed; well played both. Unlucky Genealogists, but very best of luck in the play-offs. Very well done Surrealists, and best of luck in the second round.
Next week's match: Maltsters vs Policy Wonks
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