University Challenge 2016-17: Round 1: Match 14: Glasgow vs East London

Evening all. So, the final first round match of the series; hard to believe we've got this far already, sometimes. Just watch the rest of the series go by real slow now that we've met all the teams. Both teams no doubt went into tonight's match knowing a score of 155 or more would bring them back, no matter whether they won or lost.

Glasgow University is the second oldest in Scotland, founded in 1451; alumni include numerous politicians, including Nicola Sturgeon and the late great Charlie Kennedy, and political commentator Andrew Neil. After not appearing for ten years, this is the third year in a row it has sent a team; last year's lost to Newcastle in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Robin Thomson, from Edinburgh, studying History and Russian
Aleksander Shishov, from Riga, Latvia, studying Philosophy
Captain: Angus Lauder, from Glasgow, studying Politics and Russian
Ethan Simpson, from Hawick in the Borders, studying Engineering

The University of East London is this year's token former polytechnic, becoming a university in 1992, having been around in some form for nearly 100 years prior; alumni include presenter Jimmy Doherty and popular beat combo Tinchy Stryder. This is its first appearance on the show in its current form. Its first ever team were:
Christopher Ducklin, from Eastbourne, studying Civil Engineering
Kelly Travers, from Westcliff in Essex, studying for a Masters of Research
Captain: Jerushah Jardine, from the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, studying Peatland Ecology
Rachel Evans, from Grays in Essex, studying English Literature

Off we set again then, and Mr Thomson began the match with a perfectly pronounced answer of Dostoevsky; Glasgow took two bonuses from their first set on Italian art. Mr Lauder identified the Guinness Book of World Records (remember when that was trailed endlessly every Christmas?) for the night's second starter, and his side swept the board on a bonus set on Tchaikovsky. Mrs Jardine (wife of Peter Burt, one of the Dundee team that won UC in 1983) took East London's first starter, but sulphates only provided them with one bonus. A bonus set on religion in Iran proved more to the Londoners' liking, as they took all three. The first picture round, on UK cities and their Roman names, went to East London, who took two of the set, which gave them a lead of 60-45.

A very prompt buzz from Mr Thomson shut that gap down, and one bonus followed from a good set on films with chemical elements in their title, with another unluckily missed. This was enough to level the scores, only for a slip-up from Glasgow to reopen it; Ms Evans did the honours, and East London took full advantage, sweeping the board on a bonus set on autobiographies. Three starters in a row were then dropped, the only points acquired being a -5 from East London. The rot finally stopped when Mr Thomson took a starter for Glasgow, but vitamins gave them no further points.

Neither side recognised Ozzy Osbourne for the music starter (cue swarms of angry Twitterers!); the bonuses, on singers and their first solo songs after leaving a group, eventually went to Glasgow, who provoked more hilarity by mistaking Geri Halliwell for Zayn Malik! ("It's a woman! Shush!") The scores were now 80-each, before Mr Shishov pulled Glasgow in front, and the side took a full bonus set to give them breathing space. A rare starter with five possible answers was dropped by both sides, before Mr Thomson pulled the Scots side further ahead, but no bonuses came, not least when they amused Paxo by suggesting the Scillys are in the Bristol Channel!

The second picture round, on paintings depicting the aftermath of animal bitings, went to East London, who took just the one bonus, which closed the deficit to 115-95. A second starter in a row went to the Londoners, but no bonuses from a tough set followed. A third starter in a row, however, put them on level pegging again, and two bonuses on fog gave them a crucial lead, and set up a down-to-the-wire finish again.

Mr Simpson put Glasgow back level again, and two bonuses on Catalan World Heritage sites put them ten ahead. Ms Evans put East London back level again, and they took a ten point lead with a bonus set on novels by the Brontes. Next correct starter would surely decide it; Ms Travers buzzed, but got it wrong, dropping five. Glasgow had to let the chance slip, which proved their undoing, as Ms Travers made up for her error by taking the next starter. The gong cut their bonuses off. East London won 150-135.

Another good close match between two evenly matched teams. Unlucky Glasgow, who were just pipped at the post, and who have unfortunately fallen short of the play-offs, but thanks anyway on a good effort. Very well done East London though; a respectably good performance to see them through, and very best of luck in the second round!

Mr Thomson was best buzzer of the night, with four to his name, while Ms Travers and Ms Evans were joint best for East London with three each. On the bonuses, Glasgow converted 12 out of 24 (with one penalty), while East London managed a decent 18 out of 26 (with two penalties); both respectable rates, and, once again, all eight players ended proceedings with at least one starter to their names.

So, the four repechage teams are: SOAS, Jesus (175 each), Durham (155) and Queens' (150).

Next week's match: the first play-off. SOAS vs Queens' is my best guess, followed by Jesus vs Durham, but let's see.

Only Connect saw it's final first round match tonight as well; more on that tomorrow night, plus my usual UC first round review later this week as well, so keep an eye out for both.