Evening all. An interesting match up tonight, two teams from the University of London, one based in London itself, the other in Paris! Yep, the first team from outside, what is currently, the UK to compete on UC under Paxo. Trinity of Dublin sent a few teams to the ITV series, and a team from 'Canadian Universities' appeared on the very first series in 1963 (props to Sean Blanchflower's site for that info), but the first foreign team to compete in the regular student series under Paxo tonight.
The University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP from here on in, as per Mr Tilling's calls) began life as an English language class in the Sorbonne, and grew into an institute which joined the University of London in 1969. Alumni include artist Francoise Gilot, newsreader Fiona Bruce and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall. The first ever team from the institute to appear on UC, they were:
James Dann, from London, studying International Relations
Jack Griffiths, from Builth Wells in Wales, studying French
Captain: Liam Alcock, from Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, studying French
Niamh Merritt, from the Isle of Man, studying French with History
Goldsmiths became part of the University of London in 1988, beginning life as a technical institute one hundred years earlier and becoming a college in 1905. Alumni include the artists Lucien Freud, Dave Myers of the Hairy Bikers and our friend Dave Clark of LAM. It last sent a team to UC back in 2011-12, who lost in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Kesheva Guha, from Bangalore, studying Creative and Life Writing
Ieuan Cox, from Halifax, studying PPE
Captain: Diana Issokson, from New Orleans, studying History
Jamie Robinson, from Belfast, studying History
Off we set again then, and Mr Guha took the first starter of the night with 'Don Juan'; the first bonuses, on Spenser's The Faerie Queen, gave them two correct answers to start with. Ms Issokson correctly offered 'pineapple' to give her side a second starter, and it was accompanied by another pair of bonuses. A prompt buzz from Mr Guha gave Goldsmiths a third starter, and yet another two bonuses, on fossils, went with it. The first bonus set, on flags with the colours swapped with that of a neighbouring country, went to Goldsmiths too, though the starter was dropped; two bonuses followed once again, giving them an early lead of 80-0.
ULIP finally opened their account, Mr Alcock doing the honours, but his side could get nothing from the resulting bonuses. Mr Guha restored normal service as he took the next starter for Goldsmiths, and his side broke their bonus habit by taking a full set, on films about Nobel laureates. Two starters were then dropped; third time lucky, Mr Dann taking the honours, but bonuses on James VI's daughter Elizabeth failed to add to ULIP's score.
The music starter was Ms Issokson win the race to identify Mr K. West; the bonuses, on songs involving the Roland TR-808, gave them just the one bonus this time, but they still comfortably led 120-20. The Goldsmiths captain took a second starter in a row, and bonuses on science in the 1740s gave them another two correct answers. Paxo felt the need at this point to assure ULIP that there was still plenty of time left; Mr Alcock tried his luck on the next starter, but to no avail. Goldsmiths couldn't answer either, and the next starter was dropped too. As was a bonus on a French playwright, prompting Paxo to exclaim "Zut Alors!" when ULIP didn't even buzz in on it! Goldsmiths finally stopped the rot on the next starter, and bonuses on Daniel Day-Lewis gave them yet another two correct answers.
The second picture round, on the 'sexiest philosophers' according to Existential Comics (yes, really), went to ULIP, who managed two correct answers this time, taking the score to 160-40. A second starter in a row went to the Paris side, Mr Griffiths doing the honours, and a set of bonuses on US first lady Lou Henry Hoover gave them one correct answer, enough to take them out of the Sub 50 club.
With not much time left, Mr Cox took what turned out to be the last correct starter there was time for; for the umpteenth time of the night, the Londoners took two correct answers, on book titles with SI units in their titles. The last starter was missed by both sides, and that was the gong; Goldsmiths won 180-55.
Another low scoring match, but a fun one made watchable by two very pleasant teams. Unlucky ULIP, but an entertaining performance and thanks very much indeed for giving it to us. Well done Goldsmiths though, and best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Guha and Ms Issokson were the joint best buzzers of the night with four each, while Mr Alcock was ULIP's best with two. On the bonuses, ULIP converted just 3 out of 12, while Goldsmiths managed a respectable 19 out of 27 (with the night's sole penalty); not a bad rate that, will be interesting to see how they fare against a stronger opponent on the buzzer.
Next week's match: St Peter's College Oxford vs Pembroke College Cambridge
Monday 24 September 2018
Monday 17 September 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 9: Bristol vs Queen's
Evening all. Well, after the discussion on LAM over the weekend about the 'freshening up' of Mastermind, I can echo Dave C.'s comments that UC need not be freshened up much either. Yes, there are a couple of minor things I'd change with the show as it is at the moment, but not overhaul it completely. But that's another matter, and possibly another article. In the meantime, on with tonight's show.
Bristol University began life as a university college, and became a proper university in 1909 thanks to funding from the Fry family of chocolatiers and the Wills family of tobacconists. Alumni include newspeople Alastair Stewart and Susannah Reid, illusionist Derren Brown and writer David Nicholls of 'Starter for Ten' fame. It has sent a team to the last four series, reaching the quarter-finals in all but one of them. This year's foursome were:
George Sumner, from South London, studying Physics
Owen Iredale, from Hadleigh in Suffolk, studying Biology
Captain: Anne Le Maistre, from Adelaide, studying History
Pushan Basu, from Newcastle, studying English Literature
Queen's University Belfast predates the opposition by a single year, having previously been a college and neutral alternative to Trinity College Dublin. Alumni include writer Seamus Heaney, the former Irish president Mary McAleese, comedian Paddy Kielty and actor Simon Callow, narrator of Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain! (More on that later!) It last sent a team to UC two years ago, who lost in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Matthew Hooton, from Elm Park, Havering in London, studying Exoplanet Atmospheres
Maria McQuillan, from Limavady, studying English
Captain: Stephanie Merritt, from Surrey, studying Exoplanet Atmospheres
James Breen, from Belfast, studying Software Development
Off we set again then, and Mr Breen set the ball rolling for the night with Officer Myers' favourite drink 'rum' (sorry, binge-watching Death in Paradise again at the moment!); the first bonuses, on writers buried in Highgate Cemetery, saw the Northern Ireland team take a single correct answer. Mr Hooton took a second starter in a row for Queen's, and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry proved more to their liking, as they took a full set. The Queen's left winger took a third starter for them, but no bonuses came from set no 3. The first picture round, on French definitions of loan phrases, allowed Bristol to open their scoring; two of the bonuses followed, cutting their arrears to 50-20.
Mr Basu took a second starter in a row for the Avonsiders, and they took another two bonuses from a set on names differing by a single letter, narrowly missing the other, resulting in an amusing exchange! (I got Toro and Moro, one of the very first Jackpot winning answers I saw on Pointless the latter) Mr Hotton reawoke his side with 'scam'; bonuses on Atheist writers provided them with two correct answers to extend their lead. Mr Basu took Bristol back into the game again, and, once again, his side took two of the resulting bonuses, bringing them back within ten points.
The music round asked for the year when various pop songs played was released; for the starter, the teams were allowed to be 'ONE YEAR OUT!', but not the bonuses. Mr Iredale took the starter, and his side took one of the bonuses (I got one of the ones they didn't get), giving them a narrow lead of 75-70. A slip-up then wiped that lead out, but Queen's couldn't capitalise. A fourth correct starter in a row to Bristol took them into triple figures first, and two bonuses, on Welsh history, went with it once again.
The second picture starter in a row saw Mr Breen identify Thelma and Louise, rather appropriate timing given MoneySupermarket's new advert! The bonuses, on stills from films written solely by a female scriptwriter, gave Queen's two correct answers, leaving them trailing 110-90. A second starter in a row went to the Northern Ireland team, and another two bonuses, on mathematics, put them on level pegging, setting up a tense finish.
Advantage Bristol, as Mr Iredale offered 'platypus and echidna'; bonuses on minerals provided them just the one correct answer. Mr Basu then identified Aravind Adiga's 'The White Tiger' at the same moment I did (I remember watching Michael Portillo announce it as the Man Booker winner LIVE on the news at the time!); no bonuses went with it, but, at this late stage, you fancied just one more starter would see them home. A chance to seal it went begging as they lost five, but, again, Queen's couldn't capitalise, Mr Breen accidentally offering 'Voltaire' instead of 'Volta'! (Volta was wrong anyway) Second time lucky, Mr Basu offered 'Sanskrit', and that was game over. The gong went during the bonuses, Bristol won 140-110.
A low scoring match, but a close and enjoyable one between two watchable teams. Unlucky Queen's, a perfectly decent team who I'd have liked to see more of; nothing to be ashamed of there, thanks for playing! Very well done Bristol though, and best of luck next time!
The stats: Mr Iredale was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with five to Messrs Basu and Hooton's four each. On the bonsues, Bristol converted 12 out of 25 (with two penalties), while Queen's managed 10 out of 18.
Next week's match: the Univeristy of London Institute in Paris vs Goldsmiths
And, yes, I did, of course, watch Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain before the show! Was especially pleased to see them go to Jodrell Bank, which I visited a few summers back! I await the rest of the series eagerly!
Bristol University began life as a university college, and became a proper university in 1909 thanks to funding from the Fry family of chocolatiers and the Wills family of tobacconists. Alumni include newspeople Alastair Stewart and Susannah Reid, illusionist Derren Brown and writer David Nicholls of 'Starter for Ten' fame. It has sent a team to the last four series, reaching the quarter-finals in all but one of them. This year's foursome were:
George Sumner, from South London, studying Physics
Owen Iredale, from Hadleigh in Suffolk, studying Biology
Captain: Anne Le Maistre, from Adelaide, studying History
Pushan Basu, from Newcastle, studying English Literature
Queen's University Belfast predates the opposition by a single year, having previously been a college and neutral alternative to Trinity College Dublin. Alumni include writer Seamus Heaney, the former Irish president Mary McAleese, comedian Paddy Kielty and actor Simon Callow, narrator of Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain! (More on that later!) It last sent a team to UC two years ago, who lost in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Matthew Hooton, from Elm Park, Havering in London, studying Exoplanet Atmospheres
Maria McQuillan, from Limavady, studying English
Captain: Stephanie Merritt, from Surrey, studying Exoplanet Atmospheres
James Breen, from Belfast, studying Software Development
Off we set again then, and Mr Breen set the ball rolling for the night with Officer Myers' favourite drink 'rum' (sorry, binge-watching Death in Paradise again at the moment!); the first bonuses, on writers buried in Highgate Cemetery, saw the Northern Ireland team take a single correct answer. Mr Hooton took a second starter in a row for Queen's, and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry proved more to their liking, as they took a full set. The Queen's left winger took a third starter for them, but no bonuses came from set no 3. The first picture round, on French definitions of loan phrases, allowed Bristol to open their scoring; two of the bonuses followed, cutting their arrears to 50-20.
Mr Basu took a second starter in a row for the Avonsiders, and they took another two bonuses from a set on names differing by a single letter, narrowly missing the other, resulting in an amusing exchange! (I got Toro and Moro, one of the very first Jackpot winning answers I saw on Pointless the latter) Mr Hotton reawoke his side with 'scam'; bonuses on Atheist writers provided them with two correct answers to extend their lead. Mr Basu took Bristol back into the game again, and, once again, his side took two of the resulting bonuses, bringing them back within ten points.
The music round asked for the year when various pop songs played was released; for the starter, the teams were allowed to be 'ONE YEAR OUT!', but not the bonuses. Mr Iredale took the starter, and his side took one of the bonuses (I got one of the ones they didn't get), giving them a narrow lead of 75-70. A slip-up then wiped that lead out, but Queen's couldn't capitalise. A fourth correct starter in a row to Bristol took them into triple figures first, and two bonuses, on Welsh history, went with it once again.
The second picture starter in a row saw Mr Breen identify Thelma and Louise, rather appropriate timing given MoneySupermarket's new advert! The bonuses, on stills from films written solely by a female scriptwriter, gave Queen's two correct answers, leaving them trailing 110-90. A second starter in a row went to the Northern Ireland team, and another two bonuses, on mathematics, put them on level pegging, setting up a tense finish.
Advantage Bristol, as Mr Iredale offered 'platypus and echidna'; bonuses on minerals provided them just the one correct answer. Mr Basu then identified Aravind Adiga's 'The White Tiger' at the same moment I did (I remember watching Michael Portillo announce it as the Man Booker winner LIVE on the news at the time!); no bonuses went with it, but, at this late stage, you fancied just one more starter would see them home. A chance to seal it went begging as they lost five, but, again, Queen's couldn't capitalise, Mr Breen accidentally offering 'Voltaire' instead of 'Volta'! (Volta was wrong anyway) Second time lucky, Mr Basu offered 'Sanskrit', and that was game over. The gong went during the bonuses, Bristol won 140-110.
A low scoring match, but a close and enjoyable one between two watchable teams. Unlucky Queen's, a perfectly decent team who I'd have liked to see more of; nothing to be ashamed of there, thanks for playing! Very well done Bristol though, and best of luck next time!
The stats: Mr Iredale was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with five to Messrs Basu and Hooton's four each. On the bonsues, Bristol converted 12 out of 25 (with two penalties), while Queen's managed 10 out of 18.
Next week's match: the Univeristy of London Institute in Paris vs Goldsmiths
And, yes, I did, of course, watch Monkman and Seagull's Genius Guide to Britain before the show! Was especially pleased to see them go to Jodrell Bank, which I visited a few summers back! I await the rest of the series eagerly!
Monday 10 September 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 8: Edinburgh vs Sidney Sussex
Evening all. So, we're halfway through this year's first round heats, and it's a decent second round line-up this far, and a strong play-off line-up as well. I'd probably say Emmanuel are safe, as are at least one of the two teams on 150. Whoever won, or indeed lost, tonight though, would add to that collective. So, on with the show...
Edinburgh University is the fourth oldest in Scotland, founded by James VI/I in 1583, at a time when England just had Oxford and Cambridge. Alumni include writers Walter Scott and JM Barrie, Portsmouth's first goalkeeper Arthur Conan Doyle, politicians Ruth Davidson, Amber Rudd and Gordon Brown, and my Dad (who, as I type, is listening to the Scotland game I am trying to avoid!). After a four year absence from the show, it has reached the semi-finals of the last two series. This year's foursome were:
Matt Booth, from Bristol, studying Maths
Marco Malusa, from Italy, studying Economics and Politics
Captain: Max Fitz-James, from Burgundy, studying Cell Biology
Robbie Campbell Hewson, from Edinburgh, studying Maths
Sidney Sussex College Cambridge is of a similar vintage, founded by Lady Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex (aunt of the poet Sir Philip), in 1596. Alumni include TV maths genius Carol Vorderman, political writer Andrew Rawnsley, and politicians David Owen and Sir David Lidington, the latter of whom captained the side that won UC in 1978, their second win, the first in 1971. It hasn't appeared very much in the revivial however, its most recent appearance being a second round hammering three series ago. This year's quartet were:
Ranu Thomas, from the West Midlands, studying History
James Delaney, from Fleetwood, studying Maths
Captain: Jay Vinayak Ojha, from India, studying Law
Isabel Ollard, from London, studying Natural Sciences
Off we set again then, and Ms Ollard set the ball rolling for the night with 'snout'; bonuses on heraldry provided them with one correct bonus, and an unlucky miss on another. Mr Booth set Edinburgh off the mark promptly with 'water', and the Scots side also took a single bonus, on English rivers. A penalty and a pickup allowed Sidney Sussex to reclaim the lead, and, once again, a single bonus, on women who played male characters in Shakespeare, went with it. The first picture starter was dropped, the bonuses, on characters in Russian novels, written in Cyrillic, went to Edinburgh (with their opponents also incurring a penalty in the process); two bonuses were taken this time, giving Edinburgh a 30-25 lead.
A low scoring game so far, and another dropped starter added to this mood. But it soon lifted, as Mr Malusa took the next starter, and another pair of bonuses, on particle physics, followed. Mr Fitz-James then made sure all four Edinburgh players had a starter to their name as he took the next starter, and, once again, two bonuses went with it. The Edinburgh captain took a second starter in a row, on the work of Wilfred Owen (a documentary about whom, hosted by Paxo, I remember watching during English at school!); for the fourth set in a row, the Scots side managed a pair of bonuses.
The music starter was Mr Fitz-James identify Genesis; the bonuses, on acts with books of the Old Testament in their names, only provided one correct answer this time, but Edinburgh had now opened up a lead of 105-25. A slip-up, which Sidney Sussex didn't pick up, looked like just a blip, as Mr Booth provided 'The World Series' for the next starter, and his side picked up a full set on the native names of European countries (two of which I knew thanks to Panini football sticker albums!). Edinburgh's left winger took a second starter in a row, and an amusing bonus set on the book Twitterature (which I may decide to seek out after this!) provided his side with two correct bonuses. The Scots side now had a 100+ lead, but Ms Ollard finally stopped the rot for Sidney Sussex; one bonus on 'spots' in art followed.
The second picture round, on paintings depicting Autumn (very appropriate), went to Sidney Sussex, who drew a blank on them alas, leaving them trailing 145-55 entering the final straight. And when Mr Booth took the next starter, you fancied Edinburgh were safe now. The bonuses on the polymath Thomas Young saw me do something I normally avoid doing and leave for my parents to do: predict the answer to a bonus! Thanks to our friends Monkman and Seagull, plus a famous bad answer from Fifteen to One, I just knew 'The Rosetta Stone' would be an answer, and it was! In fact, it was the only one Edinburgh took from that set. (Monkman and Seagull's new TV show starts next Monday at 8 BTW)
A prompt buzz from Mr Thomas brought more points to Sidney Sussex, and two much needed bonuses took them closer to three figures and respectability. That was all they could do though, as Edinburgh ran up the rest of the starters, Mr Campbell Hewson identifying 'Caesium' as one of the acceptable elements. One bonus followed, but it didn't really matter now; Mr Fitz-James took the next starter, and another single bonus, the same one I knew, went with it. There was enough time for one final starter, and for Edinburgh to take the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Edinburgh won 210-75.
A rather slow scoring match at first, but things picked up later on and it was still a very watchable contest. Unlucky Sidney Sussex, who never really got into gear, but thanks very much for taking part. Very well done Edinburgh though, and very best of luck next time!
The stats: Mr Fitz-James was, just, the night's best buzzer, with five to Mr Booth's four, while Ms Ollard was best for Sidney Sussex with three. On the bonuses, Edinburgh converted a decent 20 out of 36 (with two penalties), while Sidney Sussex managed 6 out of 15 (with one penalty).
Next week's match: Bristol vs Queen's University Belfast
Edinburgh University is the fourth oldest in Scotland, founded by James VI/I in 1583, at a time when England just had Oxford and Cambridge. Alumni include writers Walter Scott and JM Barrie, Portsmouth's first goalkeeper Arthur Conan Doyle, politicians Ruth Davidson, Amber Rudd and Gordon Brown, and my Dad (who, as I type, is listening to the Scotland game I am trying to avoid!). After a four year absence from the show, it has reached the semi-finals of the last two series. This year's foursome were:
Matt Booth, from Bristol, studying Maths
Marco Malusa, from Italy, studying Economics and Politics
Captain: Max Fitz-James, from Burgundy, studying Cell Biology
Robbie Campbell Hewson, from Edinburgh, studying Maths
Sidney Sussex College Cambridge is of a similar vintage, founded by Lady Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex (aunt of the poet Sir Philip), in 1596. Alumni include TV maths genius Carol Vorderman, political writer Andrew Rawnsley, and politicians David Owen and Sir David Lidington, the latter of whom captained the side that won UC in 1978, their second win, the first in 1971. It hasn't appeared very much in the revivial however, its most recent appearance being a second round hammering three series ago. This year's quartet were:
Ranu Thomas, from the West Midlands, studying History
James Delaney, from Fleetwood, studying Maths
Captain: Jay Vinayak Ojha, from India, studying Law
Isabel Ollard, from London, studying Natural Sciences
Off we set again then, and Ms Ollard set the ball rolling for the night with 'snout'; bonuses on heraldry provided them with one correct bonus, and an unlucky miss on another. Mr Booth set Edinburgh off the mark promptly with 'water', and the Scots side also took a single bonus, on English rivers. A penalty and a pickup allowed Sidney Sussex to reclaim the lead, and, once again, a single bonus, on women who played male characters in Shakespeare, went with it. The first picture starter was dropped, the bonuses, on characters in Russian novels, written in Cyrillic, went to Edinburgh (with their opponents also incurring a penalty in the process); two bonuses were taken this time, giving Edinburgh a 30-25 lead.
A low scoring game so far, and another dropped starter added to this mood. But it soon lifted, as Mr Malusa took the next starter, and another pair of bonuses, on particle physics, followed. Mr Fitz-James then made sure all four Edinburgh players had a starter to their name as he took the next starter, and, once again, two bonuses went with it. The Edinburgh captain took a second starter in a row, on the work of Wilfred Owen (a documentary about whom, hosted by Paxo, I remember watching during English at school!); for the fourth set in a row, the Scots side managed a pair of bonuses.
The music starter was Mr Fitz-James identify Genesis; the bonuses, on acts with books of the Old Testament in their names, only provided one correct answer this time, but Edinburgh had now opened up a lead of 105-25. A slip-up, which Sidney Sussex didn't pick up, looked like just a blip, as Mr Booth provided 'The World Series' for the next starter, and his side picked up a full set on the native names of European countries (two of which I knew thanks to Panini football sticker albums!). Edinburgh's left winger took a second starter in a row, and an amusing bonus set on the book Twitterature (which I may decide to seek out after this!) provided his side with two correct bonuses. The Scots side now had a 100+ lead, but Ms Ollard finally stopped the rot for Sidney Sussex; one bonus on 'spots' in art followed.
The second picture round, on paintings depicting Autumn (very appropriate), went to Sidney Sussex, who drew a blank on them alas, leaving them trailing 145-55 entering the final straight. And when Mr Booth took the next starter, you fancied Edinburgh were safe now. The bonuses on the polymath Thomas Young saw me do something I normally avoid doing and leave for my parents to do: predict the answer to a bonus! Thanks to our friends Monkman and Seagull, plus a famous bad answer from Fifteen to One, I just knew 'The Rosetta Stone' would be an answer, and it was! In fact, it was the only one Edinburgh took from that set. (Monkman and Seagull's new TV show starts next Monday at 8 BTW)
A prompt buzz from Mr Thomas brought more points to Sidney Sussex, and two much needed bonuses took them closer to three figures and respectability. That was all they could do though, as Edinburgh ran up the rest of the starters, Mr Campbell Hewson identifying 'Caesium' as one of the acceptable elements. One bonus followed, but it didn't really matter now; Mr Fitz-James took the next starter, and another single bonus, the same one I knew, went with it. There was enough time for one final starter, and for Edinburgh to take the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Edinburgh won 210-75.
A rather slow scoring match at first, but things picked up later on and it was still a very watchable contest. Unlucky Sidney Sussex, who never really got into gear, but thanks very much for taking part. Very well done Edinburgh though, and very best of luck next time!
The stats: Mr Fitz-James was, just, the night's best buzzer, with five to Mr Booth's four, while Ms Ollard was best for Sidney Sussex with three. On the bonuses, Edinburgh converted a decent 20 out of 36 (with two penalties), while Sidney Sussex managed 6 out of 15 (with one penalty).
Next week's match: Bristol vs Queen's University Belfast
Monday 3 September 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 7: York vs St Edmund Hall
Evening all. Well, despite the heat last night, I think we can say summer is officially over now. Not least because Pointless has resumed. I do hope !mpossible gets another run in the 5:15 slot though, have enjoyed that in its slot over the summer. Regular viewers may have noticed UC and OC alumnus and LAM reader Rachael Neiman on it last week, winning Wednesday night's show. Now, on with tonight's business.
The University of York (not 'York University', that's in Toronto) is a plate glass uni founded in 1963, nearly 350 years after James VI, as I know him, first suggested founding one there. Alumni include writers Anthony Horowitz and Graeme Swift, former DPM Harriet Harman, journalist Kevin Maguire and comedian Zoe Lyons. It has regularly sent teams to UC this century, last year's team unluckily losing heavily in the first round. This year's four were:
Nils Boender, from Leiden in the Netherlands, studying History
Danny Bate, from South Norfolk, studying Linguistics
Captain: William Blackett, from Sunderland, studying History
Francesco Palazzo, from London and North Yorkshire, studying Medicine
St Edmund Hall is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford, founded in its current form in 1278. Alumni include Shadow Brexit Bulldog Sir Keir Starmer, writer and actress Emma Kennedy and comedians Terry Jones, Stewart Lee and Al Murray. It has only sent two prior teams to UC; one reached the second round, the other went out in the first. This year's quartet were:
Agastya Pisharody, from India and Basel, studying Material Science
Marceline Bresson, from the Netherlands, studying Economics and Management
Captain: Freddie Leo, from Berlin, studying History
Lizzie Fry, from Worcestershire, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and Mr Pisharody took the first starter of the night, on one of his home countries; winners at the 2017 BAFTAs provided them with a full set to start with. Mr Leo waited his moment on the next starter before it became apparent that Belgium was the country sought after. Just the one bonus followed this time (I got 'The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side'), but the St Edmund Hall captain took a second starter in a row, and festivals in Hinduism proved more fruitful, a full set there. The first picture round, on pairs of cities named after saints, went to York, who also opened their account with a full house, leaving the scores at 65-25.
Mr Leo took already his third starter of the still young match, recognising the settings of operas by Wagner; two bonuses followed. Mr Bate then unluckily lost five for misunderstanding the question, and for buzzing just as Paxo was finishing the question; Mr Leo needed no invite to pick up, and one bonus was sufficient to take his side into three figures. The next two starters were dropped, one of which saw neither side able to spell Stephenie Meyer's name, both incorrectly inserting an A into her forename. Mr Pisharody finally stopped the rot, and with the ensuing bonuses, St Edmund Hall now had a three figure lead.
It increased when Mr Leo identified Rossini's Barber of Seville for the music starter; the bonuses, on other overtures by him, gave St Edmund Hall two correct answers, and a lead of 145-20. It increased again when York dropped another five, but Mr Blackett then finally broke his side back into the game with 'Nancy Mitford'. Just one bonus, on creators of video games, followed, but the York captain then took a second starter in a row, answering 'Germany' after Mr Leo missed a chance to namecheck his home country a la our old friend Filip Drnovsek Zorko! Two bonuses were followed by a third starter in a row to York, but enzyme inhibition proved too tough a bonus set for them. Mr Pisharody decided they'd had enough possession and took the next starter, and two bonuses followed again.
The second picture round, on Old Master paintings that failed to sell at auction, went to St Edmund Hall, who took another two correct answers, giving them a lead of 185-60. Mr Palazzo took another starter for York, and the side took a full set of bonuses. A bit late now to catch their opponents, but could they score high enough to maybe reach the play-offs?
Mr Leo didn't seem to want to let then as he took his latest starter; his side took the one bonus needed to take them to 200. The Oxford captain then provided a further call back to a certain previous winning team by identifying 'Jean Luc Godard', and two bonuses went their way once again. And Mr Leo wasn't finished yet, taking the next starter, but no bonuses followed this time. Mr Palazzo took another starter for York with 'Black Mirror', and a full bonus set on African countries that border just two others gave them a full house and deservedly took them into three figures. That was as high as they could go though, slipping up and allowing Ms Fry to take the final starter of the game. No time for bonuses; at the gong, St Edmund Hall won 240-105.
Another high quality match well played by both sides. Unlucky York, simply outbuzzed tonight, but a fine effort nonetheless and a respectable score to go out on, thanks to them for playing. Very well done St Edmund Hall though, and best of luck to them in the next round! A strong first showing against good opponents, could be dark horses.
The stats: Mr Leo was by far the night's best buzzer, finishing with NINE(!) to his name, while Messrs Bate, Blackett and Palazzo all took two for York. On the bonuses, York converted a good 12 out of 18 (with three penalties), while St Edmund Hall managed an also good 22 out of 36. Both good rates that, so, again, it was decided mainly on the buzzer. Well played both sides!
Next week's match: Edinburgh vs Sidney Sussex College Cambridge
The University of York (not 'York University', that's in Toronto) is a plate glass uni founded in 1963, nearly 350 years after James VI, as I know him, first suggested founding one there. Alumni include writers Anthony Horowitz and Graeme Swift, former DPM Harriet Harman, journalist Kevin Maguire and comedian Zoe Lyons. It has regularly sent teams to UC this century, last year's team unluckily losing heavily in the first round. This year's four were:
Nils Boender, from Leiden in the Netherlands, studying History
Danny Bate, from South Norfolk, studying Linguistics
Captain: William Blackett, from Sunderland, studying History
Francesco Palazzo, from London and North Yorkshire, studying Medicine
St Edmund Hall is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford, founded in its current form in 1278. Alumni include Shadow Brexit Bulldog Sir Keir Starmer, writer and actress Emma Kennedy and comedians Terry Jones, Stewart Lee and Al Murray. It has only sent two prior teams to UC; one reached the second round, the other went out in the first. This year's quartet were:
Agastya Pisharody, from India and Basel, studying Material Science
Marceline Bresson, from the Netherlands, studying Economics and Management
Captain: Freddie Leo, from Berlin, studying History
Lizzie Fry, from Worcestershire, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and Mr Pisharody took the first starter of the night, on one of his home countries; winners at the 2017 BAFTAs provided them with a full set to start with. Mr Leo waited his moment on the next starter before it became apparent that Belgium was the country sought after. Just the one bonus followed this time (I got 'The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side'), but the St Edmund Hall captain took a second starter in a row, and festivals in Hinduism proved more fruitful, a full set there. The first picture round, on pairs of cities named after saints, went to York, who also opened their account with a full house, leaving the scores at 65-25.
Mr Leo took already his third starter of the still young match, recognising the settings of operas by Wagner; two bonuses followed. Mr Bate then unluckily lost five for misunderstanding the question, and for buzzing just as Paxo was finishing the question; Mr Leo needed no invite to pick up, and one bonus was sufficient to take his side into three figures. The next two starters were dropped, one of which saw neither side able to spell Stephenie Meyer's name, both incorrectly inserting an A into her forename. Mr Pisharody finally stopped the rot, and with the ensuing bonuses, St Edmund Hall now had a three figure lead.
It increased when Mr Leo identified Rossini's Barber of Seville for the music starter; the bonuses, on other overtures by him, gave St Edmund Hall two correct answers, and a lead of 145-20. It increased again when York dropped another five, but Mr Blackett then finally broke his side back into the game with 'Nancy Mitford'. Just one bonus, on creators of video games, followed, but the York captain then took a second starter in a row, answering 'Germany' after Mr Leo missed a chance to namecheck his home country a la our old friend Filip Drnovsek Zorko! Two bonuses were followed by a third starter in a row to York, but enzyme inhibition proved too tough a bonus set for them. Mr Pisharody decided they'd had enough possession and took the next starter, and two bonuses followed again.
The second picture round, on Old Master paintings that failed to sell at auction, went to St Edmund Hall, who took another two correct answers, giving them a lead of 185-60. Mr Palazzo took another starter for York, and the side took a full set of bonuses. A bit late now to catch their opponents, but could they score high enough to maybe reach the play-offs?
Mr Leo didn't seem to want to let then as he took his latest starter; his side took the one bonus needed to take them to 200. The Oxford captain then provided a further call back to a certain previous winning team by identifying 'Jean Luc Godard', and two bonuses went their way once again. And Mr Leo wasn't finished yet, taking the next starter, but no bonuses followed this time. Mr Palazzo took another starter for York with 'Black Mirror', and a full bonus set on African countries that border just two others gave them a full house and deservedly took them into three figures. That was as high as they could go though, slipping up and allowing Ms Fry to take the final starter of the game. No time for bonuses; at the gong, St Edmund Hall won 240-105.
Another high quality match well played by both sides. Unlucky York, simply outbuzzed tonight, but a fine effort nonetheless and a respectable score to go out on, thanks to them for playing. Very well done St Edmund Hall though, and best of luck to them in the next round! A strong first showing against good opponents, could be dark horses.
The stats: Mr Leo was by far the night's best buzzer, finishing with NINE(!) to his name, while Messrs Bate, Blackett and Palazzo all took two for York. On the bonuses, York converted a good 12 out of 18 (with three penalties), while St Edmund Hall managed an also good 22 out of 36. Both good rates that, so, again, it was decided mainly on the buzzer. Well played both sides!
Next week's match: Edinburgh vs Sidney Sussex College Cambridge
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