University Challenge 2013-14: Round 1: Match 8: Keele vs Liverpool

Well, that was... certainly... something, was it not? Haven't seen one like that for a long time. And a rather unfortunate coincidence as well; see if you can spot it.

Keele University is a Staffordshire based institution founded in 1949. It won the original Bambi-hosted series way back in 1968, and that team later returned for the Reunited series back in 2002, which they came second in. Their last appearance on the regular series was also in 2002, when they were trounced by Christ's College Cambridge by 285-40 in the second round. This year's team were:
Austin Haffenden, from Eastbourne, studying Computational Ecology
Rob Croton, from Uttoxeter, studying English Literature
Captain: Harriet Earle, from Lincolnshire, studying American Literature
David Sharpe, from the Western Isles, studying Medicine

Liverpool University began life in 1881 as a University College, and it's buildings completed 11 years later gave rise to the common phrase 'redbrick'. It became a university in 1903. Its previous teams haven't had a great deal of luck, getting trounced (also) by Christ's College Cambridge in the first round three years ago, and narrowly losing a low scoring first round match to Bath last year. Aiming to do better this year were:
Catherine Monks, from Bolton, studying Classics
Daniel Jenkin-Smith, from Birmingham, studying English and French
Captain: Chris Spencer, from Salisbury, studying Tropical Medicine
Luke Nugent, from Southport, studying Medicine

Off we set, and it was Liverpool who struck first, dominating the first phase, with Miss Monks showing particularly good buzzing prowess. When the first picture starter is your fourth starter of the night, you know you're doing very well indeed! After the first picture round, on swing states in last year's US election, Liverpool led by 95-0, and poor Keele already looked to be in trouble.

And it continued, as Luke Nugent became the third Liverpudlian to open his starter account. However, a mistimed buzz from him on the next starter cleared the way for Keele to finally get off the mark, and two bonuses went with it. But this proved a mere blip, as Liverpool just continued the momentum, and the lead was just increasing.

Rob Croton valiantly tried a buzz to get his team going, but only resulted in losing them five much needed points, and another ten to the opposition. When things aren't going your way, and your opponents are hot on the buzzer, the only real tactic you can use is buzz early, and hope for the best. The music round, on classical pieces called 'the (something) mass', Liverpool led by 150-15.

Paxo told Keele there was still plenty of time left, which really means things aren't going your way. It sort of worked though, as Miss Earle took the next starter, and the side took one bonus. Catherine Monks, who'd gone quiet after that storming start, misbuzzed on the next starter, but Keele failed to capitalise. She was a bit lucky to get the next starter though, as she appeared to say 'K-H-R-A' instead of the correct answer of 'K-H-A-', but was given the points anyway. May have just misheard.

The second picture round, on the Canterbury Tales, went to Keele, but the side missed the old trick of giving the same answer three times and it's right the final time, not giving the same answer to the final question, when then their answer to the first two was the answer! Cue much hilarity and groaning! They now trailed by 180-40.

So, Liverpool were home and dry, but could Keele creep out of the Sub-50 club, and into at least three figures? Alas not, as the rest of the starters went to Liverpool, with the starters and most of the bonuses falling their way. Austin Haffenden, who had been buzzing in throughout the night, made one last attempt on the buzzer, and came so close, but didn't give the answer required. Cue Miss Monks to sneak in and take the points. And finally the gong came, and Liverpool had won by 295-40.

A very impressive performance from Liverpool, to score that many points. But I feel we will need to see them play again against stronger opposition before we mark them out as potential title claimers. But poor Keele definitely did not deserve to lose like that; as Paxo said, they must have been a good team in order to get on the show in the first place.

The lively and impressive Catherine Monks ended the night with nine(!) starters to her name, though Messrs Jenkin-Smith and Nugent both buzzed well too. The side answered 25 bonuses out of 53 correctly, with two penalties. Harriet Earle was responsible for all three of her side's correct starters, and the side managed 3 correct bonuses out of 9, with one penalty.

Next week's match: Balliol College Oxford vs Peterhouse Cambridge