OK, meant to do this yesterday, but things got in the way once again, so lets do this quickly before the second week's play begins later this evening. More time than I thought; I thought tonight's show was on an 7, but it not seems to be at 7:30, don't quite know what happened there. Still, at least all this week's show are on the same day everywhere, as opposed to last week, where viewers in Scotland didn't get Thursday's episode and didn't get Friday's until yesterday as a result.
Anyway, here's a summary of the first week's play of this year's festive specials. Apart from Friday's show, I've only watched these shows once, so apologies that these reviews are a bit short.
Monday 24th: Brasenose Oxford vs Bristol
Brasenose: Andrea Brand, Tim Harford, Jessie Burton, Kate Bliss
Bristol: Philip Ball, Laura Wade, Misha Glenny, Iain Stewart
A good start to the specials, both teams played well, ultimately Bristol slightly edged it on the buzzer for a 150-100 win, Ms Wade the best buzzer with four starters. With nine to Brasenose's six, for once, the final score, for once, quite an accurate reflection of the game's balance. Bristol will definitely be back later this week.
Tuesday 25th: Westminster vs U.E.A.
Westminster: Stuart Roy Clarke, Torsten Schmiedeknecht, Danny Wallace, Sophie Scott
U.E.A.: Vicky Pepperdine, Zeb Soanes, Arthur Smith, Darren Bett
Another good game with two decent teams ultimately won on the buzzer, Ms Scott's seven starters, more than U.E.A. managed between them, winning the day, and atoning for a slightly weaker bonus rate. Westminster won 130-100, and are hoping that today and tomorrow's winners both score lower than that. Incidentally, how come the Norwich based university is referred to by Mr Tilling as 'East Anglia' for the students, but 'U.E.A.' for the alumni specials?
Wednesday 26th: Pembroke Cambridge vs King's
Pembroke: Dan Jones, Cath Bishop, Rick Edwards, Emma Johnson
King's: Zoe Laughlin, Angela Saini, Anita Anand, Anne Dudley
The first one sided game of the week, with King's leading from the off, and though Pembroke pulled back to respectability late on, the London side triumphed comfortably 150-85, and will definitely be back later in the week. Mr Jones, though, was the best buzzer of the night, with five starters.
Thursday 27th: St Catherine's Oxford vs Peterhouse Cambridge
St Catherine's: Susie Boyt, Michael Billington, Peter Knowles, Tim Webber
Peterhouse: Dan Mazer, Mark Horton, Michael Howard, Michael Axworthy
Best game of the first week's play. St Catherine's quickly pulled out into a steady lead, but Peterhouse pulled back late on, and ultimately won the game on the final starter, 135-130, a score that is on the borderline for a return later this week. St Catherine's can consider themselves unlucky not to have at least forced a tie, Mr Webber having been harshly penalised for an accidental buzz. Mr Billington was the night's best buzzer with four.
Friday 28th: Exeter vs Birmingham
Exeter: Jon Kay, Deborah Ashby, Paul Jackson, Jessica Swale
Birmingham: Nicola Spence, Lizo Mzimba, Chris Addison, Nigel Lindsay
A lower scoring but still close and exciting game nonetheless between two well matched teams. Ultimately, Exeter edged a 110-85 victory, but will miss out on a return later this week. Messrs Jackson and Mzimba were joint best on the buzzers with three each.
So, at the end of the first week, Bristol and King's are definitely through to the semis, Peterhouse and Westminster are borderline. The contest continues tonight.
Back on Wednesday or Thursday with my review of tomorrow's Only Connect. See you whenever; in the meantime, good night, and have a Happy New Year!
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