University Challenge 2013-14: Round 2: Match 5: Trinity vs Peterhouse

So, after two matches memorable for completely different reasons, what would tonight's UC outing bring us? An all Cambridge affair, that's what. And two impressive teams as well.

Trinity College Cambridge were the most impressive performers of the first round, when they trounced the very good Christ Church Oxford team 300-150. To beat a decent team by that big a score is no mean feat. The Trinity team remained the same:
Matthew Ridley, from Northumberland, studying Economics 
Filip Drnovsek Zorko, from Slovenia, studying Natural Sciences 
Captain: Ralph Morley, from Ashford in Kent, studying Classics 
Richard Freeland, from Glamorgan, studying Maths

Peterhouse Cambridge also gave a memorable first round showing, coming from well behind to beat Balliol College Oxford impressively by 250-145. Clearly not to be underestimated were the (also) unchanged quartet of:
Mark Smith, from Colchester, studying Theology 
Edmund Zimmer, from Twickenham, studying Classics 
Captain: Alex Davis, from Dorchester in Oxfordshire, studying Physics 
Melanie Etherton, from Exeter, studying Natural Sciences

So, two good Cambridge teams who had performed very well in their first showing; shame we had to lose either of them really. The presence of Filip Drnovsek Zorko, aka JOW and LAM regular and stat-provider 'opaltiger', was what swung my support in favour of Trinity.

Off we went then, and Trinity began almost as strongly as they did before, getting the first two starters, and a fair haul of bonuses. But a slip-up from our man Filip allowed Peterhouse to get off the mark, and get two starters in a row; just one bonus came from these two though.

On to the first picture round, on Asian F1 circuits. Peterhouse zigged with Singapore, Trinity zagged with Malaysia. And then proceeded to answer 'Singapore' to all three bonuses! This time, the tactic didn't work! Still, Trinity were ahead 45-25. But Peterhouse were keeping them in check, and and soon the scores were level. A third starter for Edmund Zimmer gave his side the lead; two more starters followed, and Trinity looked to be in trouble.

But our man Filip soon stepped in with a quick buzz, and brought them back into the game. But this had been Peterhouse's quarter, and after the music round, on European cities in classical music, they still led 100-60. Another starter brought their score to double Trinity's.

Filip and co needed to get going quickly, and did so with two starters, and one full set of bonuses. And when Filip got a starter about his home nation of Slovenia, they were well back in the game, and took the lead with another full set of bonuses. The second picture round was on purpose built art galleries in England; the starter was dropped, as were two further starters, before Trinity took the bonuses.

Trinity had now recovered to lead 130-110, Peterhouse having incurred two penalties since their last starter. The momentum was now with Trinity though, and soon they had built up a head of steam on the buzzer. Like in their heat, the bonuses were generally going with the starters at a fair rate.

Soon, their lead had reached match winning level, and they were safely through. But they weren't going to stop, and kept getting both starters and bonuses until the gong was finally struck. Trinity's final winning margin was 240-110.

Very unlucky for Peterhouse, who did very well in the first half, but ran out of steam after the music round, and remained stuck for the rest of the show as Trinity marched ahead. As I said earlier, it's a shame that either of these two good sides have to go so early, and Peterhouse did perfectly respectably considering, so well done to them. But well done again to Filip and co on another good performance, and best of luck in the quarter-finals!

The stats: Ralph Morley was Trinity's best buzzer, getting six starters, while Edmund Zimmer's five was Peterhouse's best tally. On the bonuses, Trinity converted a good 24 out of 39, while Peterhouse could only managed 8 out of 24. And both sides incurred two penalties.

So, where to next? We'll find out next week, I guess. I also understand we'll be getting another series of Christmas UC over the festive period, so we'll have that to look forward to too.

And also be sure to check out Cromarty(IV)'s extended thoughts on last week's match, which I put up this morning.