Evening all. Tonight's fixture demonstrates why the show's current filming method of doing a second round match on the same day as the first round matches of the teams involved needs to have something done about it. Tonight's teams offered up two of the best performances of the first round, and tonight one of them would leave the contest for good; the others would join their compatriots Emmanuel in the group stage.
St John's College Cambridge ran out winners over a decent St Andrews side in their first round match, leading throughout and winning 255-120 at the gong. Hoping for more of the same tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
John-Clark Levin, from Los Angeles, studying Politics and International Studies
Rosie McKeown, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying French and German
Captain: James Devine-Stoneman, from Southall in London, studying Superconducting Spintronics
Matt Hazell, from Ringwood in Hampshire, studying Veterinary Medicine
Corpus Christi College Cambridge won an Oxbridge derby against St Anne's of Oxford, also leading throughout the match, their winning margin at the gong was 225-135. Also hoping to match that tonight were the also unchanged quartet of:
Tristan Roberts, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, studying Physics
Kripa Panchagnula, from Hemel Hempstead, studying Natural Sceicnes
Captain: Joseph Krol, from Bingley in West Yorkshire, studying Maths
Benedict McDougall, from London, studying Classics
Off we set again then, and Mr Hazell was first off the traps with 'red', including a topical mention of Red Dwarf; they firmly set their intentions out by taking a full house of bonuses. Mr Roberts just as quickly took Corpus Christi off the mark, but they had less luck with their first bonuses, taking just the one. Ms McKeown was next up for St John's, and they took a second full bonus set, on thermodynamics. Another starter and full bonus set for St John's, and already things were looking foreboding for Corpus Christi. Mr Roberts did take a second starter for them, but, again, just the one bonus followed. The first picture round, on compilations of first lines of poetry, went to St John's, who took a fourth full house, giving them a lead of 100-30.
And it got worse for Corpus Christi, as Ms McKeown took a second starter in a row, and a fifth full bonus set, on geographical journeys, went with it. St John's finally showed some weakness on their next bonus set, as they 'only' managed two on plate tectonics. Mr Roberts came back in for Corpus Christi with his third of the night, but, once again, just the one bonus came with it. Ms McKeown was back on the buzzer with the next starter though, and they again took two bonuses on bacteria.
The music starter was missed by both sides, the first to be so of the night; the bonuses, on programmatic waltzes, went to St John's, who missed all three, but still led 175-45. A half-fortuitous buzz from Mr Hazell added to that gap, and two bonuses were taken, the third being unluckily missed after a misunderstanding. Ms McKeown added to her already good starter tally with the next starter, but just the one bonus, on capitalist writings, followed this time, but it did take them past 200. A starter from Mr Levin took them further in, and a nice bonus set on Google search suggestions for nationalities saw St John's acquire a further ten points.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on paintings inspired by Byron, went to Corpus Christi, who took just the one again, reducing their arrears to 230-60. Match long over as a contest, but could they at least get a run together and reach a respectable score? Not if Ms McKeown had anything to do with it, as she took another starter, and bonuses on Shakespearean quotes about winter gave them a further two correct.
And they weren't finished yet, Mr Hazell taking the next starter, and one bonus on cricket was taken with it via, what looked like, a complete guess. Mr Roberts, who'd been keeping his side's score ticking throughout the match, took the next starter, but they couldn't get anything from the resultant bonuses. Both Mr Devine-Stoneman and myself correctly offered 'diesel' for the next starter, and bonuses on chess terms saw us both take the same two bonuses. Mr Krol, who'd been so impressive in Corpus Christi's first match, took the final starter of the match, but, again, nothing came from the bonuses. And that was the gong, St John's won 285-80.
A rather one sided match, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Unlucky Corpus Christi, didn't deserve to lose like that and unlucky to go out at this stage, but thanks very much indeed for playing. Very well done St John's though, another sterling effort against solid opposition, definitely a team to watch in the group stage, very best of luck in it!
The stats: Ms McKeown was the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Mr Roberts was Corpus Christi's best with five. On the bonuses, St John's converted a superb 29 out of 42, while Corpus Christi managed just 4 out of 18, and, for the first time this series, there were no penalties all night.
Next week's match: Warwick vs Ulster. Then presumably U.C.L. are back the week after.
No Only Connect for a couple of weeks, so back next week with UC I guess. Unless I decide otherwise.
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