University Challenge 2022-23: Round 1: Match 1: Bristol vs Durham

Good evening friends, and welcome back! The new series is finally underway! Of course, it will be taking on a more sombre and reflective tone now that we know this will be Paxo's final series, but hopefully it'll be a good one to see him on his way! There's also the 60th anniversary documentary tonight as well, happening as we speak, which I shall catch up on later on this week. For now, it's on with the show...

Bristol is appearing in its ninth successive series, and its 18th overall; last year's team were highly unlucky to draw and lose to eventual semi-finalists Edinburgh in the first round. This year's team were:

Sam Kehler, from Wolverhampton, studying Medicine

Jacob McLaughlin, from Gloucester, studying Economics and Maths

Captain: Tess Richardson, from Reading, studying Chemistry

Alejandro Ortega, from Chalfont St Peter, studying Physics and Philosophy

 

Durham is appearing for a record 23rd appearance in the Paxo era (or the BBC era as it will be next series) and its fifth in a row. Last year's team, who IIRC never met in person prior to appearing on the show, were beaten by eventual QFers Trinity in the first round. This year's foursome were:

Harry Scully, from Welwyn Garden City, studying Physics and Chemistry

Chloe Margaux, from Haringey in London, studying Sociology

Captain: Alex Radcliffe, from Edinburgh, studying Maths

Bea Bennett, from Icomb in Gloucestershire, studying English

 

So, off we set for the first time this series, and Mr Radcliffe had the honour of getting the first starter of the series with 'blank'; sadly, this was what his side drew on the first bonus set of the series. Thankfully, a second starter gave them a bonsu set which they did at least get one on. Bristol, in contrast, after their first starter courtesy of Mr Ortega, took two from their first set. The first picture round, on diagrams of chemical processes, went to Durham, who got a bonus pair of their own, which gave them an early lead of 45-20.

Mr Scully then took a second starter in a row for Durham, giving them a bonus set on video games which they took just one from again. Bristol then took two starters in a row, got nothing from their first bonus set, but got one from the second, on sporting firsts from last year. This took them within fifteen, but Durham bounced back with the first perfect 25 of the series, from a bonus set on earthquakes. This took us to the music round, on the soundtracks composed by Joe Hisaishi for films directed by Hayao Miyazaki; Durham took this, and one bonus was enough to eke them into three figures, they led 100-45.

Back came Bristol with a starter to Mr McLaughlin and two bonuses on artist Rosalba Carriera. Durham responded with a starter and another full bonus set; Bristol responded to that with a starter and their first full house of the night. Mr Kehler then gave the Avonsiders two in a row, and it was around this point I realised that every starter had been answered correctly thus far, a terrific achievement for both sides; two bonuses took Bristol into three figures. They also took the second picture round, on artworks that were the subject of court cases, and a full house gave them the lead, 135-125.

The brilliant record then finally ended with the first dropped starter of the night, but Mr McLaughlin quickly identified 'A Tale of Two Cities' for the next starter; just one bonus followed, and then Mr Scully took the next for Durham, and a sole bonus of their own meant the gap was back to 10 points. Mr McLaughlin gave Bristol a stronger lead back; just one bonus on Indian languages followed, but another starter and two bonuses on words ending 'USE' looked to have won the game for them. But Mr Scully quickly took the next for Durham, and a full set on years ending '99' kept them in the game! A starter to Mr Radcliffe and two bonuses tied up the game! One starter shoot-out! Mr Radcliffe blinked first, and that was the gong! Durham won a great game 195-185!

A fantastic start to the series; very well played both teams, both of whom would've deserved to win and both of whom totally deserve to come back, good on them for clapping each other at the end too. Hard lines to Bristol, but they'll be back in the play-offs for sure and must surely start them as favourites against whoever they end up playing; best of luck then! Congrats to Durham though, and very best of luck in the second round!

The stats: Mr Scully was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr McLaughlin was Bristol's best with four. On the bonuses, Bristol managed 17 out of 30, and Durham also had 17 out of 30, meaning it really was that final starter that won the game! That's how closely matched these two teams were; congrats to both again, a great start to the new series!

Next week's match: Open vs Newcastle

Only Connect kicked off Series 18 with the Statisticals, John Warren, Matt Loy and captain Karyn Cooke, against the Morporkians, Cathryn Peppard, Sarah Besly-Quick and captain Andrew Gyford. The former led 5-3 after the first round, and 11-8 after the second. Two perfect walls made it 21-18, but the Morporkians got the better of an excellent Missing Vowels round to sneak a win 27-26! But a great first game, both sides deserve their returns. The show was dedicated to the show’s exec producer Chris Stuart, who sadly passed away last month.

 

Brain of Britain had its fifth heat this afternoon; a summary of it and the first four will, hopefully, be coming up later in the week. (Apologies I didn’t do it yesterday as promised; I had mislaid my notes)