Evening all. Here we are at the round which even Paxo is making no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction with: the QF group stage. For the next ten weeks (any unforeseen stoppages notwithstanding), eight teams fight it out over a 'thrilling' series of contests to decide who gets to play the semi-finals. So get used to the faces, we're gonna see a lot of them from now on. Fortunately, we have eight fine teams who will hopefully give their all and make it all worthwhile. Anyway, let's get on with it...
Wolfson College Cambridge defeated SOAS on a 175-each tie-break in a thrilling first round match, before defeating Jesus College 255-140 in a second round Cambridge derby. Most of Twitter's favourites for tonight, they were the same four as before:
Justin Yang, from Vancouver, studying Public Health and Primary Care
Ben Chaudhri, from Cockermouth in Cumbria, studying Natural Sciences
Captain: Eric Monkman, from Oakville, Canada, studying Economics
Paul Cosgrove, from Cookstown in Northern Ireland, studying Nuclear Energy
Balliol College Oxford won both their matches thus far quite comfortably, beating Imperial of London 220-55 in the first round, and Robinson of Cambridge 210-90 in the second. Also beloved of many a Twitterer, they too were unchanged from before:
Freddie Potts, from Newcastle, studying History
Jacob Lloyd, from London, studying English
Captain: Joey Goldman, from London, studying Philosophy and Theology
Ben Pope, from Sydney, studying Astrophysics
Off we set again then, and the group stage kicked off in not exactly the best way, with a penalty; Mr Monkman collected the drop, and his side took ten points on boys' names from the bonuses. The Wolfson captain was doubly unluckily on the next starter, giving the wrong decade by one, and losing five for cutting in on the borderline. Balliol's turn to pick up this time, but they took just one bonus. A third penalty (I believe the first time the first three starters have all seen penalties) fell Balliol back, let Wolfson back in and gave them a full sweep on the bonuses. Mr Yang then offered us 'quandary', and two bonuses gave his side a 55 point lead. The first picture round, on European inland port cities, went to Balliol, who took two, which reduced their deficit to 60-25.
Another ten fell off that lead when Mr Goldman took the next starter, and a further ten fell off thanks to the bonuses. A very prompt buzz from Mr Chaudhri put his side back on the line, but no bonuses followed, amongst them an unlucky misoffering of 'Clyde' for 'Strathclyde'. (A lady on Pointless recently, asked for a Scottish city: "it's either Glasgow or Strathclyde") The next starter saw Mr Potts win the race to say 'tit'! His side took two bonuses on French artists. They were now just five behind, but another penalty upped it to ten; a pick-up by Mr Monkman doubled it, but that was as far as it got, as, again, they dropped all the bonuses.
The music round, on classical pieces inspired by the works of Goethe, went to Wolfson, who, for the third set in a row, got nothing, which left their lead at 90-60. Another Balliol penalty, another Wolfson pick-up, and the side managed one bonus on Shakespearean quotations. Mr Monkman buzzed far too early on the next starter, losing five; Balliol picked up this time, and took a full house of bonuses. A second starter to Balliol, a second full bonus set, and they now led by five. But yet another penalty cost them it, and put Wolfson back in front again via a pick-up. Bonuses on 19th century football got them nowhere; I got Preston North End as the first ever champions of England, but nothing more.
The second picture round, on paintings using the Ruckenfigur device, went to Balliol, who swept the board, which put them back ahead, 125-110. Anyone's game going into the home straight. Two starters in a row were dropped, with Balliol losing five, before a question on the Seven Dwarves gave us one for the highlights reel, with Mr Monkman's (correct) answer of 'Sneezy'! Inorganic chemistry put them back in front by five.
Another started was dropped, before Mr Monkman won the buzzer race to identify Pauli as the physicist required; two bonuses on regions of China gave them a crucial 25 point lead going into the final minutes. And when Mr Monkman took the next starter, that was game over. Balliol went down fighting though, Mr Goldman promptly taking the final starter, and there was time for one correct bonus. At the gong, Wolfson won 165-135.
An excellent start to the group stage, with both sides playing their part in an enthralling contest. Unlucky Balliol, but you're certainly not out of it yet, so best of luck in your eliminator match. Very well done Wolfson though, and very best of luck in your qualifying match!
Mr Monkman was by far and away the best buzzer of the night, with eight, taking his series total to 21, while Mr Goldman was Balliol's best with five, increasing his to 15. On the bonuses, Wolfson converted a worrying 13 out of 33 (with two penalties), while Balliol managed a better 17 out of 23 (with a very worrying SIX penalties), thus implying this was a match won on the buzzer, in more ways than one.
Next week's match: Bristol vs Corpus Christi, I would imagine, but we'll see.
Hopefully I'll get Only Connect blogged tomorrow as well, but if not, it will be ASAP. And, just a word of warning, next Friday (27th)'s OC is on at 7pm rather than 8:30.
Interesting stats, I was too distracted by the excitement and Mr Monkman so had no idea they didn't do so well in the bonuses, but I did notice they have almost stopped their early buzz habit and passed it on to their Oxford rivals instead. Also interesting is what happens when a high-scoring team who faced easy opposition in the past faces a team who saw tougher teams, but hopefully Bristol will be able to keep it up.
ReplyDelete