Evening all. Tonight's match was between two institution who have fielded a total of (looks up Sean Blanchflower's stats table) 32 teams in the 22 BBC series prior to this one, and also my parents happen to collectively be alumni of both as well, so no bias in their household tonight! (Though I suspect only my dad was watching!)
Edinburgh University was founded by James I/VI in 1582, making it Scotland's fourth uni, while England still had just two; alumni include Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, funnyman Michael McIntyre, my dad and numerous friends. After an unbroken run of 13 consecutive appearances, they've been absent for the past four years; their joint best BBC performance is when they reached the semis in 94-95 and 01-02. This year's foursome were:
Luke Dale, from York, studying Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies
Euan Smith, from Aberdeen, studying Classics
Captain: Joe Boyle, from Brighton, studying Ecology and Environmental Science
Emily Goddard, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, studying Chemistry
Durham University is England's long awaited third university, founded in 1832; alumni include newsreader George Alagiah, MOTD deputy presenter Gabby Logan, BBC stalwart Jeremy Vine and my mum. It was mysteriously absent from last series; they reached the semis two series ago, and won the contest in 77 and 99-00. This year's quartet were:
Thomas Brophy, from Hatfield, studying Maths
Owen Stenner-Matthews, from Cardiff, studying Defence, Development and Diplomacy
Captain: Cressida O'Connor, from Harrogate, studying Law
Nat Guillou, from Jersey, studying Arab World Studies
Off we set again then, and Miss O'Connor identified the Rubik's cube for the first starter, as did I, and two bonuses on the work of Nora Ephron followed suite. A penalty then followed, allowing Mr Dale to get Edinburgh off the mark, and the side firmly set their stall out by taking a full bonus set on astronomy. Miss O'Connor made up her mistake by taking the next starter for Durham, and the side took one bonus to take them back in front. The first picture starter, on maps of UK island communities, went to Durham (Mr Boyle's wrong starter answer was Aland, no Ireland, Twitter!), who took two from the set, which gave them a lead of 50-25.
Neither side identified the new recommended alcohol consumption limit for the next starter; Mr Stenner-Matthews took the next for Durham, but no bonuses on British theatres followed. Miss Goddard took Edinburgh's second starter of the night, and they took two bonuses on elements beginning with 'Th'. (Thanks to Tom Lehrer, I knew all three!) Mr Smith took a second in a row for Edinburgh, and one bonus put them on level pegging. Good match so far between two even teams.
The music round, on pop songs that pay tribute to actors, went to Durham, who took just the one bonus again, which nonetheless took them back into the lead, 75-60. The next starter was dropped, before Mr Smith moved Edinburgh back within five, and a full bonus set put them in front by a nose. A second starter in a row went Mr Smith's way; just one bonus this time, which they didn't let Paxo finish before answering! Miss O'Connor broke Durham back into proceedings; two bonuses put them within five, before Mr Guillou identified Poland for the next starter, putting them ahead again. One bonus followed, before Mr Smith put Edinburgh back in front with a starter and two bonuses, setting proceedings up for a tense finish.
The second picture round, on paintings personifying Death, went to Edinburgh, who took two again, which gave them a lead of 140-110 going into the home straight. Neither side identified krait snakes for the next starter, but a very prompt buzz from Mr Stenner-Matthews gave Durham back possession; alas, they couldn't get anything from the bonuses. Two starters in a row were dropped, before Miss O'Connor took a crucial starter for Durham; the two bonuses that followed put them on level pegging again!
So, into the final shoot-out! Miss Goddard shot first, taking Edinburgh back in front, and a very timely full bonus set gave them a twenty-five point cushion. Mr Guillou took ten off that cushion thanks to (what looked like) an educated guess on the next starter, and two bonuses put them within five! Mr Stenner-Matthews buzzed next, but no answer came; to add insult to injury, A, Mr Smith took the points, and B, as Paxo was just about still talking when he buzzed, they lost five for a borderline interruption. And when Edinburgh swept up the resultant bonuses, that was game over. At the gong, Edinburgh won 190-155.
A very fine match indeed, between two very closely matched teams, that could've gone either way til right at the end, and thankfully that borderline penalty at the end didn't make any difference. Unlucky Durham, but I would imagine 155 will be enough to bring you back the way this series has gone, so, hopefully, best of luck in the play-offs. Very well done Edinburgh though; a fine performance against a very good opposition, and very best of luck in the next round.
Mr Smith was the best buzzer of the night with six, while Miss O'Connor was best for Durham with four. On the bonuses, Edinburgh converted a very good 20 out of 27, while Durham managed just 13 out of 30 (with two penalties); so it was Edinburgh's better showing on the bonuses that won the night, but well played both teams. Great game!
Next week's match: Wolfson College Cambridge vs SOAS of London
Only Connect tonight saw 3/4 of last year's Clare Cambridge UC team show up tonight; more details on how they and their opponents got on tomorrow evening.
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