The Third Degree: Week 3: Edinburgh

OK, onto this week's edition of the Third Degree. This week's show came from Edinburgh University. Now, my Dad studied there, and a couple of friends of mine are/have been there as well. The uni entered University Challenge every year from 1999-00 until the most recent series, but they'll surely be back again next year.

The Students were:
Madu Chakrobarti, studying Biological Sciences
Katerina Stojanavic, studying the History of Art
Katie MacKenzie, studying International Relations and Law

And the Dons were:
David Arnott (Biological Sciences)
Dr Devon McHugh (History of Art)
Dr Sean Malloy (International Relations)

OK, no change in the layout, so we began, as usual, with the alternate general knowledge questions. Interesting questions included how the Biro and the Rubix Cube were both invented by Hungarians, and how Bolivia has a Navy, despite being landlocked, in the hope of regaining a strip of coast lost to Chile. After this round, the Students led 8-7.

Onto to the first specialist round, with Ms Chakrobarti and Mr Arnott facing questions on Biological Sciences. Then, onto the lists round, where the Dons managed a full eight on 'historic counties of Scotland ending in SHIRE'. The students also managed a full set on 'countries beginning with M'.

Specialist round two next, between Ms Stojanovic and Dr McHugh, after which the sides were level on 22-each. Highbrow-Lowbrow next, which is always good for a laugh. This week, the two point option was selected by four participants. Highlight of this round was Dr McHugh trying to name three X-Factor winners after going Lowbrow on 'X', and nearly managing it! There was also an interesting question about how most watch commercials show the watch at 10:10, thus allowing most of the face, and the manufacturer name to be shown. After that, the Dons narrowly led by 25-24.

And so onto the final specialist round between Ms MacKenzie, and Dr Malloy, which saw both get all their questions right, this leaving the gap at 1 point. The final quickfire buzzer round was, again, pretty closely fought by the two teams, until the Dons pulled away late on in the round.

The final score saw the Dons win 36-29. A good performance there by the Students, but not quite enough. But a good showing all round by both teams. Well done!