Evening all. Tonight, we welcome back two institutions that last sent teams three series ago, and who both, ironically, bowed out after losing to the same team. Excellent intro from Paxo too, remarking that the teams will soon be wishing they'd applied for Pointless instead! In light of the episode of that that's (should be) being repeated tomorrow teatime, they probably won't be!
Oxford Brookes University began life as an art school, and later became Oxford Polytechnic, and then a university in 1992. Alumni include ex MP Lynne Featherstone, current MP Jonathan Djanogly, and Olympic rowing great Steve Williams. The team from three years ago reached the QFs, losing to Bristol. This year's foursome were:
Inigo Purcell, from Chiswick, studying English Literature
Pat O'Shea, from Oxford, studying Film
Captain: Thomas De Bock, from Liege, studying Motorsport Engineering
Emma-Ben Lewis, from Woodford Green, studying Psychology
The Courtauld Institute of Art is part of the University of London, based in Somerset House alongside the eponymous gallery. Alumni include acting great Vincent Price and the art critics Andrew Graham Dixon and the late great Brian Sewell. Its team from three series ago were beaten by the same Bristol team in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Ty Vanover, from Clintwood, Virginia, studying 19th Century Art
Margaret Anne Logan, from Patchogue, New York, studying 18th Century French Art
Captain: Harvey Shepherd, from Chesterfield, studying History of Art
Jack Snape, from Bolton, studying the Conservation of Wall Paintings
Off we set again then, and Mr De Bock took the first starter of the night; his side proceeded to take a full bonus set on British indie bands. Both sides then lost five for incorrect interruptions, but in neither case did their opponents pick up the points. A second penalty from Courtauld was picked up by Oxford Brookes though, and they took two bonuses on astronomy. A nice bonus set on theme parks saw Oxford Brookes take two points, and Paxo ask why Skegness was so funny after the audience laughed at a mention of it! The first picture round, on flags of countries that border another, went to Oxford Brookes, who swept clean, and thus led 80-(-10).
Mr De Bock once again handed the Oxford side possession, and another full bonus set. Mr Vanover finally broke Courtauld's duck, and they took full advantage, taking a full set of bonuses on American artists. Neither side identified an obscure cricket term for the next starter, Miss Purcell took the next, and a nice (and topical) bonus set on the Shipping Forecast saw a brief mention for our old friend Cromaty(IV)! (OK, it was the other way around, but still!) Miss Logan identified Arnold as the American general who defected to the British (as most Simpsons and Red Dwarf fans will know), but the Londoners got nothing from the resultant bonuses.
The music round, on recordings of Summertime, went to Oxford Brookes, who took the same one I did, which left their lead at 130-25. I then guessed asteroids for the next answer, as did Mr De Bock, and we were both right. Just the one bonus followed again. Mr Shepherd then made up for his earlier errors by taking the next starter, but, again nothing came of the bonuses, and they then failed to capitalise on an Oxford Brookes penalty. Mr Shepherd took a second starter, though, and women buried in Highgate cemetery proved more to their liking, as they took two correct answers.
The second picture starter was dropped by both sides, much to Paxo's dismay at Courtauld! The bonuses, on paintings in the Birmingham Art Gallery, did go to the Londoners, who, did, mercifully, manage one, though this wasn't enough to get an unimpressed Paxo off their backs! They had, however, reduced the deficit to 140-70. Mr De Bock then fought Oxford Brookes back into the match, however, and a full set of bonuses on African capitals (including a second Pointless nod of the night, with that of the Central African Republic!) meant that was game over.
Mr De Bock then identified the German state of Saarland, unlocking a bonus set on German baroque architecture, of which they only managed the one bonus. Five were then lost to a penalty, which Courtauld picked up the points from, and they took one of the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Oxford Brookes won 185-75.
An enjoyable match despite the low scores. Unlucky Courtauld, but you came across very well despite lapses on your home subject, so thanks very much indeed for playing. Well done Oxford Brookes though, and best of luck to yous in the second round!
The stats: Mr De Bock was by far the best buzzer of the night, with seven to his name, while Mr Shepherd was best for Courtauld with three. On the bonuses, Oxford Brookes converted an OK 18 out of 30 (with three penalties), while Courtauld managed 7 out of 17 (with two penalties).
Next week's match: Trinity College Oxford vs University College London
Back with Friday's Only Connect on Sunday; remember to look out for UC legend Gail Trimble on one of the teams!
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