University Challenge 2016-17: Elimination Quarter-Final 2: Birmingham vs Balliol

Evening all. You join me after a week where events have made me consider the future of my UC blogs; I shall make a decision over the spring recess whether to carry on in this format, or streamline my blogs somewhat for the next series. I will definitely be finishing off this current series in this format, though, so let's carry on. Tonight's winners would return to, presumably, meet Corpus Christi in the play-offs, while the runners-up would head off home.

Birmingham got to the group stage via comfortable enough wins over Queen's of Belfast and St Andrews, but were beaten by a late sprint from Edinburgh in their preliminary, losing 220-125. They were the same foursome as those prior occassions:
Elliot Jan-Smith, from Derby, studying Chemistry
Fraser Sutherland, from Edinburgh, studying History
Captain: George Greenlees, from Plymouth, studying Medicine
Chris Rouse, from Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, studying History and Politics

Balliol College Oxford easily defeated Imperial of London and Robinson of Cambridge in the knockout rounds, but lost a good preliminary match to Wolfson, which ended 165-135. They too were unchanged from those times:
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, Balliol's leading man thus far, was first in to identify Gainsborough for the first starter of the night. (Cue excitement from everyone who lives there!) Two bonuses on places called Wester Ross got them off the mark, only for them to lose five on the next starter. Birmingham took the points, and one bonus on trios of years put them level. Balliol regained possession, but got nothing from the resultant, rather tricky, bonuses. It was then Birmingham's turn to lose five, and Balliol's to pick up, and they took just one bonus on Ida Lupino, who I am only familiar with through Red Dwarf. The first picture round, on names of 60s singles as re-recorded for the continent, went to Birmingham, who took just the one bonus again, which left them trailing 40-25.

Mr Greenlees then feel victim to, what Paxo called, a 'technical interruption', or as we now know it, a 'non-interruption', which lost five. I must admit though, Noddy being described as 'a self-employed taxi driver' was pretty amusing! Mr Lloyd then moved Balliol's further ahead with the next starter, but their resident Australian Mr Pope failed to be of any use in a bonus round on Australian deserts, much to Paxo's astonishment! Physics proved more to the Oxford side's liking, as they took a full set.

The music round, on composer-director collaborations, eventually, went to Birmingham, who took just the one bonus again, which reduced their arrears to 75-30. In shot Mr Goldman very promptly on the next starter though, and a quickly taken full bonus set on Gerard Manley Hopkins took them into triple figures. Another prompt buzz from the Balliol captain, and you began to wonder if they'd hit Top Gear (first show of which last night was pretty decent IMO BTW). Two bonuses followed, before Mr Potts made up for his earlier mistakes by identifying Brazil, and unlocking two more correct bonuses.

The second picture round, on paintings of imaginary townscapes, went to Balliol, who swept up the bonuses, giving them a lead of 165-30. Most likely all over as a contest, but Mr Greenlees shot in pretty quickly with the next starter; two bonuses on psychology lifted them out of the Sub-50 club, only for a slip-up to drop them back into it. Balliol did the honours, and made the most of it with yet another clean bonus sweep.

A starter was dropped before Mr Goldman once again was first in on the buzzer, with two more bonuses accompanying. Just a question now of how far both teams could get. Another starter from Mr Goldman and another prompt full bonus set put them within sight of a 200 point victory. Mr Greenlees then moved Birmingham back out of the Sub-50 club, and bonuses on real names of five letters with a J gave them two correct answers. Balliol just weren't to be denied though; two more starters, one of which bought the show full circle back to Lincolnshire, where the show began, and a bonus from each set, gave them a 200-point lead for the gong. They won 265-65.

Very much like Balliol's first round match, a low key close match at first that became rather one sided later on. Unlucky Birmingham, who were simply overpowered in the later stages, but nothing to be ashamed of at all and a perfectly respectable series effort, so thanks very much indeed for taking part. Very well done Balliol though, on probably their finest (half) hour thus far IMO, and very best of luck in the play-offs!

Mr Goldman ended the match with TEN(!) correctly answered starters, leaving his series total at 25, while Mr Greenlees was, once again, best for Birmingham with three, ending their run by far their best buzzer with 23 overall. On the bonuses, Birmingham converted 7 out of 15 (with four penalties), while Balliol managed 26 out of 41 (with one penalty).

Next week's match: I would imagine Warwick vs Wolfson, followed by Corpus Christi vs Balliol the week after.

As for Only Connect, if I don't get around to Friday's episode tomorrow night, it will be Thursday that it get it sorted out. I hope.