Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 11: University Challenge R1M11, Only Connect Elimination Match 2, Mastermind Heat 10

Good evening again my friends, and welcome back to another Quizzy Monday! Well, UKGS still isn't back online, but Mr Weaver's comments on Tumblr recently assure us that the site isn't dead, just sleeping. And, no, that wasn't an intentional tie-in to that question on this week's OC! I'd planned to say that earlier today, before any of tonight's shows went to air! Anyway, let's do this thing, beginning, as ever, with UC, and a match somewhat reminiscent of the show's 'renaissance' of 2008 to 2015...

 

Durham has appeared in more BBC series than any other institution; for a while during the afore-mentioned 'renaissance', it had an unlucky tendency to draw and lose to strong Oxford teams in the first round, but has done better in more recent years, winning three series ago of course, its third series win. Last year's team went out in the second round. This year's team consisted of:

Caspar Chatham, from Camden in London, studying English Literature

Tom Haines-Matos, from Worthing, studying PPE

Captain: Amelia Rees, from Hammersmith, studying Chemistry

James Gowers, from Beaconsfield, studying History  

 

Merton College Oxford won the show in 1980, beating a Queens' Cambridge containing a certain Stephen Fry; of the seven previous BBC era teams though, only one, that who were runners-up in the 2017-18 series, has made it beyond the second round. Its last team fell at that stage in the 20-21 series. Playing for them this year were:

Ciaran Duncan, from High Wycombe, studying English Literature

Evelyn Ong, from Singapore, studying Maths and Philosophy

Captain: Elliot Cosnett, from Hatton in Warwickshire, studying History

Verity Fleetwood-Law, from Amersham, studying English and French  

 

Durham took the first starter and pair of bonuses of the night, but Merton quickly took the second and a full set of bonuses to take the lead. A further two starters went to the Oxonians, including the first picture starter; after the first picture bonuses, they led 55-20. Durham took a starter and single bonus to close the gap, but another two starters and a load of bonuses to Merton meant they'd already reached three figures by the next time Durham got a starter right. After the music round, Merton led 135-40.

 

The chairman told Durham there was plenty of time left, and the Wearsiders did subsequently manage to get a starter and full set of bonuses under their belts. Merton, however, managed two such full houses in this third phase. Durham did take the second picture round, but no bonuses meant they still trailed 185-75. Durham did manage a bit of a late rally here, reaching three figures and just about keeping the game theoretically alive into the final minutes. But once Merton reawoke, they pulled well away again with a late run of their own. At the gong, Merton won 235-120.

 

A pretty good high quality game despite its one-sidedness. Well done to Merton, who look a very good team with all four players buzzing well and a pretty good bonus conversion rate; they look like a team to watch in the second round, best of luck to them there! Hard lines to Durham, but they put up a good show and, again, I suspect could've beaten another team; thanks to them for playing!

 

The stats: Mr Cosnett was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Messrs Haines-Matos and Gowers were joint best for Durham with three each. On the bonuses, Durham managed 10 out of 24 (with two penalties) and Merton a pretty good 24 out of 34 (with one penalty).

 

Next week's match: Harper Adams vs Strathclyde

 

Only Connect’s second eliminator match was contested by the 5ks, who were beaten by the Showstoppers in their first match, and the Grapevines, who lost to the Metrophiles first time out.

 

I took the same point as the 5ks on the first question of the show about stuff that helps you fly and the same two points as them on the shootings question, and the same points as the Grapevines on the satirical magazines question; my Dad, meanwhile, claims the final clue for the ‘number of bones’ question should’ve been “Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard: none”! The Grapevines led 5-4 after that round. I also claim the same two points as the Grapevines on the Beano question in the second round and the same two as the 5ks on the days of the week question; my Dad and I collectively got two points on the roundabout question, and I think my Dad just about got two points on the SETI question. The 5ks led 12-7 after that.

 

The Grapevines went first on the Walls, and very quickly worked everything out for a full ten. The 5ks took a bit longer to work out the final two sets, but same result, another full house, so, as you were, they led 22-17 going into Missing Vowels. The 5ks had the better of that at first, but the Grapevines came back well late on; the 5ks won 30-23 to go through to the play-offs. Well done them, and best of luck next time, and thanks to the Grapevines for playing!

 

Next week’s match: the Scanners vs the Benchwarmers

 

Mastermind was won by Ben Abbott, whose 20 points saw him just edge it ahead of Meg Tapp and Alan McDermott with 19 each, though Alan was unfortunate to have his answer of “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” disallowed; Elizabeth Rounding completed the line-up with 15.

 

And that's it for another week! Thanks as ever for reading; hopefully UKGS will finally be back with us soon, but, as I said before, check out Weaver's Week' Tumblr page in the meantime to keep up to date. I myself will be back, same time same place next week, with my usual write-up, so, see yous then... 

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 10: University Challenge R1M10, Only Connect Elimination Match 1, Mastermind Heat 9

Hello again my friends, and welcome back to another Quizzy Monday! Coming up later, the second phase of Only Connect begins, and a quick reintroduction to what is now a staple of Radio 4's rotating quiz line-up. But we begin with UC as usual, with tonight's match being between two institutions whose best showing on the show so far has been a second place finish.

 

Trinity Hall Cambridge, not to be confused with Trinity College Cambridge from a few weeks ago, were unlucky to be runners-up to Manchester in 2005-06; tonight is their first student series appearance since 2007-08 when they were beaten by, again, Manchester in the QFs. They were represented by:

Teymour Taj, from London, studying Astrophysics

Jake Bransgrove, from Auckland, studying History

Captain: Jeffrey Opreij, from Margraten in the Netherlands, studying Mathematical Physics

Shannon Gilbert, from Brechfa in Wales, studying Chinese Studies  

 

The London School of Economics were runners-up in the all-London final against Imperial in the second Paxo-ero series of 1995-96; last year, its team was unlucky to draw and lose to U.C.L. in the second round as they were a pretty good team. Playing for them this year were:

Ryan Sharpe, from Oakville, Ontario, studying History and Philosophy

Cormac Beirne, from Ireland and Canada, studying International Relations

Captain: Andy Huff, from Houston, Texas, studying International Social and Public Policy

Catherine Tan, from Lexington, Massachusetts, studying Anthropology and Global Studes  

 

We started very well indeed, with both sides taking a starter and full set of bonuses each. A penalty to Trinity Hall allowed L.S.E. to pull away though and, after the first picture round, the Londoners led 65-20. Trinity Hall recovered well with four starters in a row and, while their bonus conversion varied quite a bit, they had nonetheless taken the lead back. L.S.E. got back into the game with the music round, which allowed them to cut the gap to 80-70.

 

The two sides then swapped starters for a bit, after which they were on level pegging. L.S.E. then took two starters in a row and all but one of the resulting bonuses to eke out a strong lead. They also took the picture round, after which they were all but guaranteed at least a repechage slot, leading 155-95. A penalty brought Trinity Hall back into the game though, but L.S.E. kept their cool and took the next starter and all three bonuses to put themselves within sight of victory. Only for two penalties, one of which Trinity Hall picked up, opened the game up again. But L.S.E. recovered again and pulled away into a strong lead that made the game look a lot more one sided than it was. At the gong, L.S.E. won 215-135.

 

A very good high quality contest indeed, two very strong teams indeed. Well done L.S.E., a very good first showing and, if they don't get another unlucky second round draw, they could be a team to watch; best of luck to them in that second round! Hard lines to Trinity Hall, a very decent team who I fancy could've easily beaten another team; thanks very much to them for playing.

 

The stats: Mr Huff was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Taj was best for Trinity Hall with four. On the bonuses, Trinity Hall managed 15 out of 24 (with four costly penalties) and L.S.E. a pretty good 25 out of 34 (also with four penalties, for a joint total of eight which must be the most for some time).

 

Next week's match: Durham vs Merton Oxford

 

Only Connect’s first elimination match was contested by the Pear Trees, who were beaten by Oh No They Didn’t in their first match, and the Caraxians, who lost to the Whitley Baes first time out.

 

I claim the same point as the Trees on their first two questions in the first round, the birthdays question and the ‘we’ question; the Caraxians led 5-3 at the end of that round. I claim the same three points as the Trees on the first question of the second round, two points on the Oceania question and the same three as the Caraxians on the knock knock question, while my Dad claims two points on the Marx Brothers question; the Trees led 9-8 after all that.

 

The Caraxians went first on the Walls, and took their time to work out all four groups, and got all the connections too, so a full ten points. The Trees also took their time and worked everything out for another full ten, so, as you were, they led 19-18 going into Missing Vowels. The Trees fared better and increased their lead in that to win the game 28-22. Well done them, and best of luck in the play-offs! And thanks to the Caraxians for taking part.

 

Mastermind was won by Eric Davis, whose 24 points saw him home ahead of Nigel Haynes with 21; Gurpal Cheema and Annette Fenner, formerly of OC, finished further back with 18.

 

We also had the return on Radio 4 yesterday of The 3rd Degree, the university based quiz which, like UC, deals with Oxbridge colleges singularly. We were in Bristol yesterday though, with the highlight of the show being a joke about Chess Masters which those of yous who watched that particular show back in the Spring would very much approve of I suspect!

 

And that's another week in the bag! I won't be making The 3rd Degree a regular feature of this blog unless something notable happens; this is just a place holder really until Brain of Britain, hopefully, returns soon. Anyway, thanks as ever for reading; see yous again same time same place next week...

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 9: University Challenge R1M9, Only Connect R1M8, Mastermind Heat 8

Hello again my friends, and welcome back to another Quizzy Monday! Coming up, our three quizzes as usual, but firstly, a quick word on UKGS, which is still offline due to the issues with 'autocomplete bots', not 'autocorrect bots' as I said last week! (Typical of my recent carelessness in my online work) Mr Weaver is still posting on his Tumblr page though; just Google 'weavers week tumblr' and you should have no problem finding it. Anyway, on with tonight's quizzes, beginning with UC and a second debutant in as many weeks...

 

Green Templeton College Oxford were this week's debutants, founded in 2008 after Green College and Templeton College merged, and, like their opponents tonight, is a postgrads only college. Its first ever UC team consistsed of:

Will Owens, from Hereford, studying Engineering

Annie Roberts, from London (originally Australia), studying Medicine

Captain: Yusuf Sahin, from Istanbul, studying Comparative Social Policy

Fiona Asokacitta, from Jakarta, studying Anthropology  

 

Darwin College Cambridge has, in contrast, appeared on three previous BBC series; one, in 2020-21, saw them exit in the first round, but their other two teams, in 2018-19 and last series, saw them reach the semis, largely thanks to their virtuoso captains Messrs Golfinos and Whitaker. Playing fo them this year were:

Lewis Strachan, from North Lanarkshire, studying Parasite Biology

Ruth Ni Mhuircheartaigh, from Cork, studying Education

Captain: Louis Cameron, from London, studying English

Jonathan White, from Buckinghamshire, studying Geography  

 

Darwin got off to the stronger start, taking the first three correct starters of the game, but three bonuses from the resulting nine wasn't the best return. Green Templeton kicked off with the first picture round, after which they trailed 40-15. Darwin resumed their buzzer dominance, with, once again, their captain Mr Cameron doing most of the heavy lifting, though Mr Owens did have a good buzz to bring the Oxonians back into the game. After the music round, Darwin led 85-30.

 

Green Templeton managed a couple of starters in a row, and a full set of bonuses on one of them meant they'd suddenly caught right up. A third starter and a sole bonus pulled them level, but Darwin duly retook the lead with the next starter. The chairman was harsh but fair to disallow Mr Cameron's (correct) answer to the second picture starter after a slight hesitation; Green Templeton took the bonuses, and the teams were level again, on 105-each. Two starters in a row then gave the Oxonians the lead, but just one of the resulting six bonuses kept Darwin within touch. A starter and two bonuses put them ten behind, the final starter of the game pulled them level, the first bonus gave them the lead... and that was the gong! Darwin won 135-130!

 

Another exciting end to a game, but, as the chairman stated, a brutal way for Green Templeton to lose, especially given how well they did to pull back in the second half. Well played by them though, a respectable first appearance on the show, thanks for playing! Well done Darwin though, and best of luck in the second round!

 

The stats: Mr Cameron was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Ms Roberts and Mr Sahin were joint best for Green Templeton with three each. On the bonuses, Green Templeton managed 10 out of 24 and Darwin 11 out of 25 (with two penalties).

 

Next week's match: Trinity Hall Cambridge vs LSE

 

Only Connect’s final first round match saw us meet the last two new teams of the series, the Doctors Matthews, Tina, Alex and captain Sam Matthews, brother of Alex and nephew of Tina, and the Keyboard Worriers, Frank Withers, Alex McLaren and captain Joanna Matthews (no relation).

 

My Dad, who chose to watch the show instead of the Scotland match(!), claims the same two points as the Doctors on the carpenters question and one point on the record labels picture question, and I claim one point on the ‘way to Amarillo’ question; the Worriers led 5-4 at the end of the first round. I claim the same two points as the Doctors on the Wallace and Gromit villains question in the second round; the Doctors led 9-7 after that round.

 

The Worriers went first on the Walls, and took their time to work out all four groups, plus all the connections, so a perfect ten for them. The Doctors did likewise, and all got all four groups and all four connections; another perfect ten, so as you were, they led 19-17 going into Missing Vowels. The Worriers just about did better on that, and the game ended in a 21-each tie! And it was Sam who got the tie-breaker right first to win the game for the Doctors! Well done them, and the Worriers as well; best of luck in your next games!

 

Next week’s match: the Pear Trees vs the Caraxians in the first elimination match

 

Mastermind was won by Roger Easy, who was in third place after the specialist subject round, but put up the best GK round to win with 22 points, just one ahead of Lucy Fleming with 21 and Beth Leonard with 20; Ruaidhri O Donnell wasn’t far behind either with 18.

 

And that's it, we're done for another week! Thanks as ever for reading; hopefully, by the time we do this again next week, UKGS will be back online, but, in the meantime, Weaver's Week's afore mentioned Tumblr page is there if you want to look it up. Back same time same place next week with my usual write-up, so, see yous then...