Evening all. An interesting match tonight, for me anyway; those who've been following this blog since its inception may recall that one of the very first episodes of UC I covered on this blog was the exact same fixture! In fact, had tonight's episode been shown last week instead, it would've been exactly six years to the day! Shame! Anyway, enough pedantry, on with the show...
Strathclyde University was founded by John Anderson of Glasgow Uni in 1796 as the Anderson Institute, becoming a university in 1964. Alumni include TV pioneer John Logie Baird, explorer David Livingstone, and musician Lauren Mayberry, whose music you may recall appeared on the show last series! As did the uni itself, who lost to Emmanuel in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Billy Hogg, from Paisley, studying Politics
Thomas Callan, from Stirling, studying Mechanical Engineering
Captain: Jack Pollock, from Gourock in Inverclyde, studying Aeromechanical Engineering
Catherine Ember, from Berkshire, studying Optical Medical Imaging
Durham University is the third oldest in England, founded in 1837; like Oxbridge, it operates collegiately, but for different reasons, thus it enters singularly. Alumni include various BBC luminaries, including George Alagiah, Gabby Logan and Jeremy Vine, as well as cricketers Nasser Hussain and Andrew Strauss and Mo Salah lookalike (his words not mine!) Nish Kumar. It has regularly sent teams to UC in the BBC era, winning in 1999-2000. This year's quartet were:
Sian Round, from the Wirral, studying English
Cameron Yule, from London, studying English
Captain: Matthew Toynbee, from Derbyshire, studying Maths
Ben Murray, from Cheshire, studying Chemistry
Off we set again then, and Mr Murray opened the night's scoring for Durham; two bonuses on the work of Daniel (totally not related to Jermain) Defoe gave them two correct answers, and an unlucky near miss on the other. A repeat performance from the Durham right winger was followed by a full house on cricketers, which Mr Yule answered all by himself! He then added a starter to the tally as well, and another two bonuses went with it. After a slip-up set them back, Strathclyde now opened their score thanks to Mr Pollock, and they too took two bonuses. The first picture round, on diagrams of Men's World Cup winning teams' routes to victory, went to Strathclyde, who picked up where Mr Logan and his knowledge of Euro 16 left off last series, with a full house, taking the scores to 65-40.
Already a high scoring show, and it carried on, as Ms Round handed Durham back possession, and two bonuses on modern feminism followed. Mr Toynbee then offered 'arsenic', making sure all four Durham players already had at least one starter answered, and another two bonuses took them, already, into three figures. Mr Murray then added another with 'either and dither', before taking his turn to answer an entire bonus set, on deaths in the Lord of the Rings, all by himself! He then took another starter to boot, and the side answered the same two bonuses correctly as I did. Already, they were looking imperious, and despite Strathclyde's equally good bonus rate, they were up against it.
The music round, on satire in opera, went to Durham, who added another two bonuses, taking their lead to 170-40. And it was only getting larger as Mr Toynbee, quick as a flash, offered 'quartz and quasar', and all three bonuses were taken as well. Mr Yule was next with 'Lady Chatterly's Lover', but finally Durham showed some weakness as they only took one bonus. Strathclyde finally buzzed back in, but only managed to drop back five; Durham couldn't pick up, and neither side took the next starter either. Back to normal service for Durham, as Mr Yule did the honours, and yet another full house, on biographies of Baroness M. Thatcher, took their lead to 200 points.
The second picture round, on works exhibited at the opening of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, went to Durham, who took yet another full house, and now led 260-35. And they were showing no signs of letting up, as Mr Murray took '1930s', and another two bonuses went with it. Finally, Strathclyde got some more points on the board, Mr Hogg doing the honours, and two bonuses on scientific terms ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub 50 club.
But Durham weren't finished yet, Mr Toynbee offering 'bat' for the next starter, and an umpteenth full bonus set, on fish named after other animals, went with it, taking them past 300. And after another Durham starter, another full house, and they were officially the highest scoring UC team since I started this blog, eclipsing our friend Richard Evans' Southampton side five years ago. And they weren't finished yet, another starter and pair of bonuses putting them one starter away from the first 300+ victory in ages. Mr Yule's offer of 'stamps' gave it to them, but there was no time for bonuses; at the gong, Durham won 360-55.
A truly spectacular one sided match that has broken all sorts of records for this decade; see my Twitter feed for details. Unlucky Strathclyde, just simply outplayed, but the fact that they are on the show at all shows they must be a decent team, and their performance when they did get in backs this up; thanks to them for playing and taking it so well. Very very very very well done to Durham though, and very best of luck in the next round! I for one am looking forward to it.
The stats: Messrs Yule and Murray were joint best buzzers of the night with six each, while Messrs Hogg, Callan and Pollock all answered one each for Strathclyde. On the bonuses, Strathclyde converted a very good 7 out of 9 (with two forgivable penalties), while Durham managed a mind blowing 38 out of 48! I'll just let that speak for itself!
Next week's match: York vs St Edmund Hall Oxford
Monday 27 August 2018
Monday 20 August 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 5: Clare vs Hertford
Evening all. Well, I think we can safely say summer is over; for the first time this series, I am watching this with all the windows shut in my flat; was a bit drafty. Now watch it suddenly heat up again now I've said that! Anyway, on with tonight, and the second Oxbridge match of this still young series, with the usual caveats, win and go straight through, lose and hope your score is among the four highest.
Clare College is the second oldest in Cambridge, founded in 1326 by Lady Elizabeth de Clare; alumni include poet Siegfried Sassoon, writer Peter Ackroyd and British legend Sir David Attenborough. It last sent a team to UC three series ago, who were unfortunate to lose in the first round; three quarters of that team later appeared on OC as the Clareites. This year's foursome were:
Anish Naik, from Enfield in London, studying Astrophysics
Matt Nixon, from Belfast, studying Astrophysics
Captain: Andrew Gurr, from Basingstoke, studying Law
Elijah Granet, from San Diego, California, studying Politics
Hertford College Oxford is even older, founded 1282 but taking its current name in 1874; alumni include John Donne, Jonathan Swift and Evelyn Waugh, and more recently Fiona Bruce and Krishnan Guru-Murthy. Making only its second BBC appearance tonight, the first back in 2010-11 resulting in a first round defeat. This year's quartet were:
Stefi Woodgate, from South London, studying Biology
Pat Taylor, from Warwick, studying Physics
Captain: Richard Tudor, from Stourbridge, studying History
Chris Page, from Orpington in London, studying English Literature
Off we set again then, and Mr Granet picked up when his compatriate Mr Golfinos left off last week, taking the first starter, and two bonuses on words ending 'ist' went with it. Mr Tudor promptly opened Hertford's account in short order, but his side could only manage one bonus on Nobel Prize citations. A penalty then dropped the sides level; the next saw both teams sit on the buzzers until they heard 'Thomas Becket', at which point Mr Tudor won the race to say 'Henry II'. Just the one bonus followed again, though. The first picture round, on old English kennings, went to Hertford, who took two bonuses this time, taking their lead to 50-15.
Another penalty then increased the lead, before Mr Taylor just about provided a close enough answer to be accepted; bonuses on Xmas UC alumnus Samira Ahmed's critique of various 90s culture saw didn't add to their score though. A prompt buzz from Mr Nixon brought Clare back into the game, but no bonuses followed, including Mr Gurr's unlucky plumping for of the wrong Lord of the Rings volume! A second starter in a row went to the Cambridge side, and they took one bonus, just missing out on another. Mr Granet added a third in a row for Clare with 'McDonaldisation', and another single bonus took them back to within ten.
The music starter saw Mr Gurr win the buzzer race to identify Reginald Dwight's 'Rocket Man'; the bonuses, on songs listened to by Tim Peake in space, saw the Cambridge side incur the wrath of Twitter for mistaking The Who for The Beach Boys; one of the other bonuses followed, giving them a narrow lead of 65-60. Mr Tudor decided that was enough of that, identifying Paul Erdos (who Stephen Fry may or may not have stolen a QI anecdote from) to give his side the lead again, and the first full bonus set of the game accompanied. A second starter in a row went Hertford's way, as did a second full bonus set, a nice one on cryptic clues to the names of bands (eg, the horizontal bands on the flag of North Korea = White Stripes!). Mr Granet promptly seized back possession with a very prompt buzz indeed, and two bonuses were taken with it. Another penalty set them back again, followed by controversy, as Paxo allowed Mr Nixon off with a slight hesitation before answering; to be fair, he did answer just before Paxo began to rule him out, unlike other occasions I've seen this happen. One bonus followed.
The second picture round, on paintings by Manet inspired by works by Spanish artists, went to Hertford, who took another full set, giving them a lead of 135-95. Still anyone's game going into the final mins; neither side took the next starter, Mr Granet took the next, and his side into triple figures, and one bonus put them just a starter and full set away going into the home stretch.
But Mr Page took the next starter, and, though just one bonus on oxymorons followed, time was now on their side. One more starter would win it, but Mr Gurr wasn't giving in, offering 'deer' to keep his side in the game; his side took two much needed bonuses. Neither side took the next starter, amusingly offering '1' and '0' when '1/2' was the answer! Mr Gurr pulled his side within ten with 'Grand Canal', and two bonuses put the sides level for, what would surely be, the last starter of the game. Mr Granet came in early with 'Robinson', and was right! And that was the gong! Clare won, 160-150!
A rather slow match that suddenly leapt into life in the final minutes. Unlucky Hertford, unlucky to just be pipped at the post, but hopefully 150 will be good enough for the play-offs; thanks in the mean time though. Very well done Clare though, and very best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Granet was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Page was Hertford's best with four. On the bonuses, Clare converted 13 out of 30 (with three penalties), while Hertford managed 14 out of 24, so it was a game won on the buzzer.
Next week's match: Strathclyde vs Durham. Shame that wasn't this week's match, otherwise it would've been exactly six years to the day since the exact same fixture was played!
Clare College is the second oldest in Cambridge, founded in 1326 by Lady Elizabeth de Clare; alumni include poet Siegfried Sassoon, writer Peter Ackroyd and British legend Sir David Attenborough. It last sent a team to UC three series ago, who were unfortunate to lose in the first round; three quarters of that team later appeared on OC as the Clareites. This year's foursome were:
Anish Naik, from Enfield in London, studying Astrophysics
Matt Nixon, from Belfast, studying Astrophysics
Captain: Andrew Gurr, from Basingstoke, studying Law
Elijah Granet, from San Diego, California, studying Politics
Hertford College Oxford is even older, founded 1282 but taking its current name in 1874; alumni include John Donne, Jonathan Swift and Evelyn Waugh, and more recently Fiona Bruce and Krishnan Guru-Murthy. Making only its second BBC appearance tonight, the first back in 2010-11 resulting in a first round defeat. This year's quartet were:
Stefi Woodgate, from South London, studying Biology
Pat Taylor, from Warwick, studying Physics
Captain: Richard Tudor, from Stourbridge, studying History
Chris Page, from Orpington in London, studying English Literature
Off we set again then, and Mr Granet picked up when his compatriate Mr Golfinos left off last week, taking the first starter, and two bonuses on words ending 'ist' went with it. Mr Tudor promptly opened Hertford's account in short order, but his side could only manage one bonus on Nobel Prize citations. A penalty then dropped the sides level; the next saw both teams sit on the buzzers until they heard 'Thomas Becket', at which point Mr Tudor won the race to say 'Henry II'. Just the one bonus followed again, though. The first picture round, on old English kennings, went to Hertford, who took two bonuses this time, taking their lead to 50-15.
Another penalty then increased the lead, before Mr Taylor just about provided a close enough answer to be accepted; bonuses on Xmas UC alumnus Samira Ahmed's critique of various 90s culture saw didn't add to their score though. A prompt buzz from Mr Nixon brought Clare back into the game, but no bonuses followed, including Mr Gurr's unlucky plumping for of the wrong Lord of the Rings volume! A second starter in a row went to the Cambridge side, and they took one bonus, just missing out on another. Mr Granet added a third in a row for Clare with 'McDonaldisation', and another single bonus took them back to within ten.
The music starter saw Mr Gurr win the buzzer race to identify Reginald Dwight's 'Rocket Man'; the bonuses, on songs listened to by Tim Peake in space, saw the Cambridge side incur the wrath of Twitter for mistaking The Who for The Beach Boys; one of the other bonuses followed, giving them a narrow lead of 65-60. Mr Tudor decided that was enough of that, identifying Paul Erdos (who Stephen Fry may or may not have stolen a QI anecdote from) to give his side the lead again, and the first full bonus set of the game accompanied. A second starter in a row went Hertford's way, as did a second full bonus set, a nice one on cryptic clues to the names of bands (eg, the horizontal bands on the flag of North Korea = White Stripes!). Mr Granet promptly seized back possession with a very prompt buzz indeed, and two bonuses were taken with it. Another penalty set them back again, followed by controversy, as Paxo allowed Mr Nixon off with a slight hesitation before answering; to be fair, he did answer just before Paxo began to rule him out, unlike other occasions I've seen this happen. One bonus followed.
The second picture round, on paintings by Manet inspired by works by Spanish artists, went to Hertford, who took another full set, giving them a lead of 135-95. Still anyone's game going into the final mins; neither side took the next starter, Mr Granet took the next, and his side into triple figures, and one bonus put them just a starter and full set away going into the home stretch.
But Mr Page took the next starter, and, though just one bonus on oxymorons followed, time was now on their side. One more starter would win it, but Mr Gurr wasn't giving in, offering 'deer' to keep his side in the game; his side took two much needed bonuses. Neither side took the next starter, amusingly offering '1' and '0' when '1/2' was the answer! Mr Gurr pulled his side within ten with 'Grand Canal', and two bonuses put the sides level for, what would surely be, the last starter of the game. Mr Granet came in early with 'Robinson', and was right! And that was the gong! Clare won, 160-150!
A rather slow match that suddenly leapt into life in the final minutes. Unlucky Hertford, unlucky to just be pipped at the post, but hopefully 150 will be good enough for the play-offs; thanks in the mean time though. Very well done Clare though, and very best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Granet was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Page was Hertford's best with four. On the bonuses, Clare converted 13 out of 30 (with three penalties), while Hertford managed 14 out of 24, so it was a game won on the buzzer.
Next week's match: Strathclyde vs Durham. Shame that wasn't this week's match, otherwise it would've been exactly six years to the day since the exact same fixture was played!
Monday 13 August 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 4: SOAS vs Darwin
Evening all. We're back after our week off, a week off I was planning to use to go away for a few days, but unfortunately my plans fell through, leaving me stuck here with very little to do, but anticipate tonight's game! Two colleges, one experienced, one rookie, both catering for mature students, one would definitely proceed to the second round, the runners-up might yet too!
The London School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS, was founded in 1916; noted alumni include politicians Enoch Powell, Aung San Suu Kyi and David Lammy and comedian Dom Joly, who appeared for the college on Christmas UC IIRC. It has occasionally sent teams to UC, last appearing two series ago and reaching the semis in 2013-14. This year's foursome were:
Mark Thomas, from Newcastle, studying Global Cinema
Chad Beaman, from London, studying Japanese
Captain: Harriet Gemmill, from London, studying Sinology
Tom Pollitt, from Bristol, studying International Law
Darwin College Cambridge is one of Cambridge's newer colleges, founded in 1964, and is strictly postgrads only. Alumni include primatologist Dian Fossey and cloner Sir Ian Wilmut. This is, as far as we know, the college's first ever UC appearance, but we don't have full stats for the ITV era. Tonight's team were:
Stuart MacPherson, from Bothwell in South Lanarkshire, studying Physics
Christopher Davis, from London (via California), studying Plant Science
Captain: Jason Golfinos, from New York City, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Guy Mulley, from Loughton in Essex, studying Law
Off we set again then, and Mr Golfinos opened the scoring for the night with 'Jade'; bonuses on the year 1997, a year I know quite a bit about, gave them one correct answer, and a nice swipe at Mel C from the Paxomeister! Neither team knew Sofia Coppola for the next starter (I did, having heard the same question on UC before), Mr Thomas took SOAS off the mark by identifying the first two seats won by the SDP; two bonuses on Greek myth gave the Londoners a five point lead. Darwin retook it when Mr Golfinos took the next starter, and the side took two of the resultant bonuses. The first picture round, on Latin maxims and their general senses, went to Darwin, who took another two correct, giving them a lead of 55-20.
Mr Beaman then lost five on the next starter, and Mr Golfinos didn't wait for any more to come before picking up the correct answer; another two correct bonuses were converted. The Darwin captain wasn't letting up as he took yet another starter, and his side swept the board on the bonuses, on computer games. His side were already at their century, and when SOAS dropped another five and that man Mr Golfinos picked up again, their lead was into three figures too. All three bonuses were followed by yet another starter to Darwin's irrepressible captain, and another two bonuses, and already you'd think they were home and dry.
The music starter was yet another Mr Golfinos added to his haul; the bonuses, on big band leaders from the swing era, gave the Cambridge side two points, and took their lead to 165-10. Paxo felt the need to let SOAS know there was still time left, and Mr Pollitt tried his luck on the next starter, but couldn't convert; nor could Darwin. Yet another superb early buzz from the Darwin captain unlocked bonuses on director Julie Taymor, of which two followed. Then, for once, Mr Golfinos came in too early, allowing SOAS to finally break back into the game; two bonuses followed, of which I took one as well. It proved but a blip though, as the Darwin captain was back on the money with the next starter; bonuses on the work of comedy writer Chris Morris, including the classic 'cake' from Brass Eye, gave them another two answers. Mr Beaman then did the right thing and took an early flyer, but it fell wide, dropping five; Mr MacPherson did the honours for Darwin this time, and the side smashed through the 200 barrier with another full house.
The second picture round, on stills from hand drawn animated films, went to SOAS, who took two bonuses, which took the scores to 220-45. A second starter in a row to the London side ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub-50 club, and a full set of bonuses put them within sight of three figure respectability. But another slip-up set them back five, and allowed that man Golfinos to take the pick-up; bonuses on British birds gave them two correct answers.
Now, it was just a question of how much either side could score. Darwin's brilliant captain added yet another starter to his mightily impressive tally, but his side dropped all three bonuses on Dickens (I knew one of them thanks to WWTBAM). Mr Beaman took another starter for SOAS, and bonuses on astronomy gave them just the one correct answer. Another interruption, however, then dropped them back further, and gave Darwin the points and bonuses on cricket trophies, of which one was taken. They couldn't quite manage a 200+ win however, the final starter of the game going to SOAS, who took the one bonus there was time for. At the gong, Darwin won 260-90.
Another rather one sided game, but it still made for compelling viewing nonetheless. Unlucky SOAS, a perfectly decent team who would almost certainly have won another fixture, and who took the defeat in good grace; thanks very much to them. Very well done to Darwin though, Mr Golfinos especially, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Golfinos ended the match with THIRTEEN(!) (that's ONE THREE) starters to his name, which, unless I'm mistaken (which I could well be), is the highest individual tally in a single match since the legendary Alex Guttenplan scored the same in the 2009-10 final! Mr Beaman was best for SOAS with three. On the bonuses, SOAS converted a respectable 11 out of 17 (with five penalties), while Darwin managed an excellent 26 out of 42 (with two penalties); definitely one to watch in the next round!
Next week's match: Clare College Cambridge vs Hertford College Oxford
The London School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS, was founded in 1916; noted alumni include politicians Enoch Powell, Aung San Suu Kyi and David Lammy and comedian Dom Joly, who appeared for the college on Christmas UC IIRC. It has occasionally sent teams to UC, last appearing two series ago and reaching the semis in 2013-14. This year's foursome were:
Mark Thomas, from Newcastle, studying Global Cinema
Chad Beaman, from London, studying Japanese
Captain: Harriet Gemmill, from London, studying Sinology
Tom Pollitt, from Bristol, studying International Law
Darwin College Cambridge is one of Cambridge's newer colleges, founded in 1964, and is strictly postgrads only. Alumni include primatologist Dian Fossey and cloner Sir Ian Wilmut. This is, as far as we know, the college's first ever UC appearance, but we don't have full stats for the ITV era. Tonight's team were:
Stuart MacPherson, from Bothwell in South Lanarkshire, studying Physics
Christopher Davis, from London (via California), studying Plant Science
Captain: Jason Golfinos, from New York City, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Guy Mulley, from Loughton in Essex, studying Law
Off we set again then, and Mr Golfinos opened the scoring for the night with 'Jade'; bonuses on the year 1997, a year I know quite a bit about, gave them one correct answer, and a nice swipe at Mel C from the Paxomeister! Neither team knew Sofia Coppola for the next starter (I did, having heard the same question on UC before), Mr Thomas took SOAS off the mark by identifying the first two seats won by the SDP; two bonuses on Greek myth gave the Londoners a five point lead. Darwin retook it when Mr Golfinos took the next starter, and the side took two of the resultant bonuses. The first picture round, on Latin maxims and their general senses, went to Darwin, who took another two correct, giving them a lead of 55-20.
Mr Beaman then lost five on the next starter, and Mr Golfinos didn't wait for any more to come before picking up the correct answer; another two correct bonuses were converted. The Darwin captain wasn't letting up as he took yet another starter, and his side swept the board on the bonuses, on computer games. His side were already at their century, and when SOAS dropped another five and that man Mr Golfinos picked up again, their lead was into three figures too. All three bonuses were followed by yet another starter to Darwin's irrepressible captain, and another two bonuses, and already you'd think they were home and dry.
The music starter was yet another Mr Golfinos added to his haul; the bonuses, on big band leaders from the swing era, gave the Cambridge side two points, and took their lead to 165-10. Paxo felt the need to let SOAS know there was still time left, and Mr Pollitt tried his luck on the next starter, but couldn't convert; nor could Darwin. Yet another superb early buzz from the Darwin captain unlocked bonuses on director Julie Taymor, of which two followed. Then, for once, Mr Golfinos came in too early, allowing SOAS to finally break back into the game; two bonuses followed, of which I took one as well. It proved but a blip though, as the Darwin captain was back on the money with the next starter; bonuses on the work of comedy writer Chris Morris, including the classic 'cake' from Brass Eye, gave them another two answers. Mr Beaman then did the right thing and took an early flyer, but it fell wide, dropping five; Mr MacPherson did the honours for Darwin this time, and the side smashed through the 200 barrier with another full house.
The second picture round, on stills from hand drawn animated films, went to SOAS, who took two bonuses, which took the scores to 220-45. A second starter in a row to the London side ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub-50 club, and a full set of bonuses put them within sight of three figure respectability. But another slip-up set them back five, and allowed that man Golfinos to take the pick-up; bonuses on British birds gave them two correct answers.
Now, it was just a question of how much either side could score. Darwin's brilliant captain added yet another starter to his mightily impressive tally, but his side dropped all three bonuses on Dickens (I knew one of them thanks to WWTBAM). Mr Beaman took another starter for SOAS, and bonuses on astronomy gave them just the one correct answer. Another interruption, however, then dropped them back further, and gave Darwin the points and bonuses on cricket trophies, of which one was taken. They couldn't quite manage a 200+ win however, the final starter of the game going to SOAS, who took the one bonus there was time for. At the gong, Darwin won 260-90.
Another rather one sided game, but it still made for compelling viewing nonetheless. Unlucky SOAS, a perfectly decent team who would almost certainly have won another fixture, and who took the defeat in good grace; thanks very much to them. Very well done to Darwin though, Mr Golfinos especially, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Golfinos ended the match with THIRTEEN(!) (that's ONE THREE) starters to his name, which, unless I'm mistaken (which I could well be), is the highest individual tally in a single match since the legendary Alex Guttenplan scored the same in the 2009-10 final! Mr Beaman was best for SOAS with three. On the bonuses, SOAS converted a respectable 11 out of 17 (with five penalties), while Darwin managed an excellent 26 out of 42 (with two penalties); definitely one to watch in the next round!
Next week's match: Clare College Cambridge vs Hertford College Oxford
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