Evening all. It's fair to say this hasn't been the highest scoring series; the fact that, at the start of the day, the four highest scoring runners-up were the only ones to break three figures. But after tonight's match, and having finally seen the full first round fixtures list (thanks to Chris Ducklin and whoever added to Wikipedia), I am optimistic that we'll get some good matches in the remainder of the round. So, on with tonight.
Imperial College London is a science specialising college, formerly of the University of London, becoming independent in 2007. Alumni include Sir Alexander Fleming who re-rediscovered penicillin, the writer HG Wells, and former Mastermind and Brain of Britain champ Ian Bayley, who captained its UC team in 1996-97; it won the tournament the previous year, and again in 2000-01. Last year's team were unlucky to draw eventual champs Balliol in the first round. This year's foursome were:
James Pollard, from Cheshire, studying Electrical Engineering
Ed Waddingham, from Charlton in London, studying Medical Statistics
Captain: Istvan Kleijn, from Ermelo in the Netherlands, studying Biothematics and Medical Systems Biology
Juan Rubio Gorrochategui, from Alicante, studying Chemistry
Strathclyde University was founded in 1796, by a Glasgow University professor who felt there should be a second university in the city; alumni include missionary David Livingston, TV inventor John Logie Baird and musician Alex Kapranos. It's last UC venture was a first round defeat in 2012-13, while 2003-04 captain Aidan McQuade went on to win Mastermind. This year's quartet were:
Ian Brown, from Oban, studying to be an English teacher
James Flannigan, from Glasgow, studying Chemical Engineering
Captain: Alistair Logan, from Motherwell, studying Mechanical Engineering
Paul Dijkman, from Port Glasgow, studying Economics
Off we set again then, and Mr Logan got the ball rolling for the night with 'chevron'; the Clydesides took just the one bonus from the firsts set. Mr Kleijn opened Imperial's account in short order, and they fared a bit better on their first bonus set, on scientific terms now commonplace in politics. Mr Waddingham doubled Imperial's lead, and they took another two bonuses on Palme D'or winners, during which Paxo rather poorly mispronounced Errnest Borgnine's surname! Another starter went to Imperial, but no bonuses came this time. The first picture round, on commemorative plaques and their locations, went to Imperial, who got nothing from the bonuses again, which left their lead at 60-15.
Mr Rubio Gorrechategui moved Imperial further ahead by taking the next starter, and his side added ten more to their score from the resultant bonuses. Mr Waddingham was then next up for the Londoners, but nothing from a bonus set on fictional cricket matches was taken this time. Mr Logan finally broke Strathclyde back into the match, and they capitalised with a full bonus set of prime numbers, thus suggesting they were certainly back in the game.
The music round, on Fanny Mendelssohn's 'Year' cycle, went to Strathclyde, who took just the one bonus this time, but did nonetheless reduce the gap to 90-55. Indeed, Mr Logan took the next starter, and bonuses on the Wizard of Oz, including the Scarecrow's famous triangle gaffe later repeated by Homer Simpson, gave them one correct answer again. And when Mr Logan took a second starter in a row, and two bonuses were taken this time, the teams were level. Mr Kleijn then showed that he knows his Flanders and Swann as he identified the second law of thermodynamics to give Imperial back the lead; again, though, they could get nothing from the bonuses, which in a game this tight, could be costly.
The second picture starter was dropped, as were the next two replacement starters; the picture bonuses, on paintings intended to be copied as tapestries, eventually went to Strathclyde, who took one bonus, to give themselves a slim lead of 105-100. Another starter to the Strathclyde captain increased the lead, and two bonuses of Indira Gandhi gave them the upper hand for the crucial final minutes.
Back came Imperial though, with Mr Waddingham doing the honours; the side picked a good time to pull off a full set of bonuses, refusing to wait for Paxo to complete the last two before answering! That put the sides level again; Mr Logan identified George Orwell for the next starter, and when his side took a full bonus set on last year's Euros (as did I, possibly my first ever full set!), that was most likely game over. A penalty gave Imperial the chance to prove that wrong, but they couldn't take it. And that was the gong, Strathclyde won 145-125.
Another low scoring match, but a good close one nonetheless, so I enjoyed it. Unlucky Imperial, who fell away somewhat after a decent starter, but the way things are going, 125 might yet be enough for the play-offs, we shall see, but thanks for playing for now. Well played Strathclyde though, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Logan was the best buzzer of the night, with six starters under his belt at the gong, while Mr Waddingham was Imperial's best with four; on the bonuses, Imperial converted just 9 out of 24, while Strathclyde managed 14 out of 24 (with one late penalty); that's where the match was won and lost.
Next week's match: Emmanuel College Cambridge vs St Hugh's College Oxford
Back with Only Connect on Sunday, and after Friday's show, my Dad has offered up a suggestion on the changing of the points system; I'm keeping it to myself for now, as I may choose to share it somewhere else another time.
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