University Challenge: Grand Final: U.C.L. vs Manchester

Well, it's been a long time coming, but we've finally made it: the University Challenge final. Both teams had fought long and hard to make it this far, and tonight, one of them would lift the trophy, and take their place in the annals of history (disqualification notwithstanding).

U.C.L. have fought strongly throughout the contest, beating Exeter, Jesus College Oxford, Bangor, Manchester (see below), and New College Oxford. Hoping to be the first U.C.L. team to take the title were:
Adam Papaphilippopoulos, from London, studying Philosophy 
Tom Tyszczuk Smith, from Cambridge, studying Medicine 
Captain: Simon Dennis, from London, studying the History and Philosophy of Science 
Tom Parton, from Staffordshire, studying Natural Sciences

Well, who'd have thought, when Manchester trailed Lincoln College Oxford by all those points in Round 1, that they'd be here, while poor Lincoln wouldn't even reach Round 2?! Manchester have also defeated Magdalen College Oxford, Imperial College London, St George's London and Bangor. But, they'd also lost to U.C.L. (see above). Aiming to equal the record title haul were:
David Brice, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying Economics  
Adam Barr, from Muswell Hill in North London, studying Physics with Astrophysics 
Captain: Richard Gilbert, from Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, studying Linguistics 
Debbie Brown, from Buxton in Derbyshire, studying Pain Epidemiology

And so off we went. The first starter... was dropped by both sides, with U.C.L. incurring a penalty. Not a very promising start. Manchester then got off the mark, with two consecutive starters from David Brice. U.C.L. soon got off the mark courtesy of Adam Papaphilippopoulous. Up came the first picture round, on word clouds of common words used by poets. Mr Brice took his third starter of the night, and Manchester led by 55-15.

Tom Tyszczuk Smith tried early on the next starter, but only resulted in incurring another penalty. After hearing the rest of the question, it was obvious he'd buzzed too early. Manchester were a little lucky for Paxo to accept 'Man Bit Dog', when 'Man Bites Dog' was what was sought. U.C.L. then made their way back into the match, with Tom Parton taking three consecutive starters. These included the music starter, on nationalism in classical music. U.C.L. were now well back in the match, though they still trailed 70-55.

Back came Manchester, courtesy of Mr Brice. There followed a superb set of bonuses on two word phrases that could be UC buzz announcements by Roger Tilling, eg Nottingham Forest! Whoever came up with that set deserves a pay rise! Back came U.C.L. courtesy of Tom Tyszczuk Smith. Manchester came back in again, with two consecutive starters, including a close shave for Richard Gilbert after he stumbled after buzzing.

A third consecutive Manchester starter came, and their lead was beginning to rise into a match winning lead. Up came the second picture round, on illustrations from Kipling's 'Just So Stories'. Manchester now led by 160-75, and U.C.L. were gonna have to get a move on if they were going to do it.

An early interruption from Manchester have U.C.L. the chance to pull back, but they had to let it pass. And when Manchester got the next starter, it looked like they had the match won. Or did they? The next starter went to U.C.L., and they took a full set of bonuses, shouting some of the answers out before Paxo had finished the question! 

Another starter was dropped by both sides, and then U.C.L. fought back again, and were still within touching distance. But when Manchester took the next starter, that looked like it. U.C.L. did go out with a bang, getting the final starter of the match. But the gong cut them off during the bonuses.

Manchester won the match, and the series, 190-140. Hugs all round on the Manchester side, while U.C.L. offered generous applause for the winners. The trophy was presented to the winners by the Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees, who also offered some remarks on the match, and the show in general. As the credits rolled, U.C.L. came down, and the teams exchanged polite handshakes.

The stats: David Brice was Manchester's best buzzer, getting five starters, and the side managed 18 bonuses out of 33, with two penalties. Tom Parton led for U.C.L. with four starters, which helped the side to 14 bonuses out of 23, also with two penalties.

Well done to Manchester on a well deserved victory, that was hard fought for throughout the series. But well done to U.C.L. for doing so well, and getting so far. And thank you to Paxo, and all the teams who took part in this series, which has been good fun covering on here.

Tune in in the next few days for the 'Best Buzzers of the Series', and a short selection of highlights from the series.