OK, well, here we are peeps: the last post on this blog of this decade. Unless you're counting counting 2020 as the last year of the decade, which, given that 2000 is, technically speaking, the last year of the old millennium, rather than the first of the current, is sort of correct. But let's not get bogged down in technicalities now.
It was a strong first week's play on this year's Christmas UC series; ahead of its resumption tonight, let's quickly recap it.
Monday 23rd: Leeds vs Clare Cambridge
Leeds: Jonathan Clements, Henry Gee, Rev. Richard Coles, Tim Allen
Clare Cambridge: Elin Manahan Thomas, Marcel Theroux, Amanda Spielman, Allison Pearson
In which Rev. Coles and Ms Pearson joined the list of people to have been on both Xmas UC and an Only Connect charity special. Leeds took the lead early on, and never lost it, ultimately running out 205-55 winners, and will definitely be coming back later this week.
Tuesday 24th: Birmingham City vs Wadham Oxford
Birmingham City: Bunny Guinness, Carole Boyd, Ian Skelly, Jim Crace
Wadham Oxford: Jonathan Freedland, Tom Solomon, Anne McElvoy, Roger Mosey
Cue jokes on Twitter about why wasn't Trevor Francis on the Birmingham City team! Again, Wadham took the lead early on and never relinquished it, despite a valiant recovery from their opponents. Wadham won 160-75 and, unless both the remaining winning teams today and tomorrow beat it, they'll be back later in the week.
Wednesday 25th: Guildhall vs U.C.L.
Guildhall: Catherine Bott, Bob Barrett, Monica Dolan, Charles Edwards
U.C.L.: Pen Hadow, Poppy Sebag-Montefiore, Maryam Moshiri, Hugh Griffiths
An enjoyable Christmas Day contest between two pleasant sides. It was U.C.L.'s better start that ultimately proved the difference, and though Guildhall valiantly fought back, U.C.L. saw the game out, and won the match 165-120; we'll definitely be seeing them again later in the week.
Thursday 26th: Liverpool vs Hull
Liverpool: Emma Jane Unsworth, Roger Bolton, Anna Maxwell Martin, Beverley Hunt
Hull: Matthew Halsall, Tracy Borman, Lucy Beaumont, Joanna Nadin
It was the bonuses that won this game, with Hull only answering one starter more than their opponents, but faring considerably better on the bonuses, 16 out of 21 to Liverpool's 5 out of 18. Thus, Hull won 150-75; again, should tonight's and tomorrow night's winners not beat that, we'll be seeing them again.
Friday 27th: Royal Holloway vs Sussex
Royal Holloway: Jackie Hunter, Emma Bridgewater, Fern Riddell, Lucy Hughes-Hallett
Sussex: Mark D'Arcy, Zoe Strimpel, Kim Newman, Perdita Barran
Last match of a strong opening week, and another comfortable victory. Royal Holloway took the first starter, but Sussex quickly took the upper hand, and ran out comfortable 130-70 winners, unfortunately not enough for a return.
So, Leeds and U.C.L. are definitely coming back, Wadham have a half decent chance, and Hull are most vulnerable. But it was a fine first week, with all five winning teams getting good scores; we can only hope this week's offerings will continue this strong trend!
Back next week with a review of that; until then, thank you to everyone who has supported me and this blog this year and this decade (/this decade so far), and have a Happy New Year!
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