University Challenge 2016-17: Play-Off Quarter-Final 2: Corpus Christi vs Balliol

Evening all. Been another tough week where I've considered the future of my UC write-ups on here. I am still undecided whether, for the next series, I will carry on with my current format, or switch to something a bit more concise. We shall see how I feel over the spring recess. On with tonight though, and an Oxford derby to decide the last place in the semi-finals.

Corpus Christi began their run with victories of Jesus College and Peterhouse of Cambridge, and a thumping win over Bristol, but ran out of steam against Emmanuel, and lost 170-55. Hoping for a return to their prior form were the unchanged four of:
Tom Fleet, from Pendoggett in Cornwall, studying English 
Emma Johnson, from North London, studying Medicine 
Captain: Nikhil Venkatesh, from Derby, studying PPE 
Adam Wright, from Winnersh in Berkshire, studying Physics

Balliol convincingly beat Imperial of London and Robinson of Cambridge early on, before coming unstuck against Wolfson, recovering with a 265-65 win over Birmingham. Hoping to follow on from that and join their conquerors in the semis were the also unchanged four of:
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 Mr Goldman picked up where he left off last time by taking the first starter of the night. Just one bonus on Chatham House was taken, but Mr Lloyd picked up a slip-up from the opposition, and a bonus set on 'squandering' proved more to their liking, taking a full house. Mr Pope added his two cents as well, and two bonuses followed appropriately. A nice starter asked that concatenating the regnal numbers the last five monarchs (75862) gives the approximate size of which of the home nations; Mr Goldman looked like he was guessing when he answered Scotland, but was right, and two more bonuses followed. The first picture round, on flags of native peoples, went to Corpus Christi, who moved off the mark with two correct, reducing the gap to 80-15.

Mr Venkatesh added a bit of momentum for his side, taking a second starter in a row, and another two bonuses on prisons were taken. Mr Pope then returned his side to proceedings, and they reasserted authority with a full bonus set on physics. Miss Johnson bit back for Corpus Christi, and, again, the side took two bonuses. Mr Potts then ensured all four Balliol players had contributed on the buzzer; another full bonus set put them back in control, and gave us the amusing answer of 'The Sea and The Sea, the Sea'! Back came Corpus Christi with another starter and two bonuses, to just about keep in touch.

Mr Goldman promptly took the music starter, but the bonuses, on composers who wrote their music while undertaking other jobs, proved fruitless (I got Borodin though, thanks to Millionaire). They thus led 140-75, a lead Miss Johnson took ten off with the next starter; her side's bonus consistency continued as they took another two on moons. Mr Goldman looked to have just beaten his opposite number to the buzzer on the next starter, and they also took two bonuses on writer's block. Back came Corpus Christi with Miss Johnson again on the buzzer, but their consistency ended as they only managed one bonus on English ceremonial districts.

The second picture round, on ballet costumes and sets designed by Leon Bakst, went to Corpus Christi, but they got nothing from the bonuses, which left them trailing 160-120. With only a couple of starters in it, Balliol now turned on the afterburners, as Mr Goldman took the next starter; nothing came from the bonuses, but Mr Lloyd came in quickly on the next starter, and a full bonus set on important academic works put them within sight of victory.

A nice starter asked for the modern day names of two capitals whose Latin names are given to elements; Mr Goldman correctly offered Copenhagen and Stockholm, with Paris being the other, and that was most game over. Two bonuses on the Danish empire followed, before another starter and full bonus set put them well out of sight. Still, Corpus Christi ended the match with a bang, taking a starter and full bonus set of their own. One starter and correct bonus to Corpus Christi later, and that was the gong; Balliol won 240-160.

Another good high quality match between two good teams. Unlucky Corpus Christi, who never quite made up ground after a slow start, but, as Paxo said, a good strong performance nonetheless, and a fine series of performances, so thanks very much indeed for playing. Well done Balliol though; another good strong effort against proven opponents, and very best of luck in the semis!

Mr Goldman was, again, best buzzer of the night, with six, taking his overall total to 31, while Miss Johnson was best for Corpus Christi with four, though Messrs Venkatesh and Wright finish joint best overall with 15 each. On the bonuses, Corpus Christi converted a good 15 out of 26 (with the night's sole penalty), while Balliol managed an also good 24 out of 36; good rates those, both indicative of the high standard of contestant in these late stages.

Next week's match: the first semi-final! Don't know the draw yet, but my guess is TPTB will want to avoid a rematch if possible, so Emmanuel vs Wolfson (a much awaited fixture on Twitter!) and Edinburgh vs Balliol is my best guess, but we shall see.

As for Only Connect, I will get on to that this week, but not until Thursday (I hope), as tomorrow I will be doing my usual UC semi-final preview; tune back in tomorrow for that!