University Challenge 2013-14: Semi-Final 1: Trinity vs Manchester

So, we've arrived at the semi-finals of what has been a good series of UC. The winners of tonight's match would become the first time to reach the final. Unlike last year, the draw for the semis has not put the two unbeaten teams together to avoid a rematch. I'll let you decide for yourself whether that's for the best or not.

Trinity College Cambridge got here the direct way, defeating Christ Church Oxford, Peterhouse Cambridge, Manchester (their opponents tonight) and SOAS (also in the semis). The favourites for tonight's match were the same four as before:
Matthew Ridley, from Northumberland, studying Economics
Filip Drnovšek Zorko, from Slovenia, studying Natural Sciences
Captain: Ralph Morley, from Ashford in Kent, studying Classics
Richard Freeland, from Cowbridge in Glamorgan, studying Maths

Reigning champions Manchester got here by beating Brasenose College Oxford, Queens' College Cambridge, Cardiff and our old friends Southampton, but they also lost to Trinity between the Queens' and Cardiff matches. They were also the same foursome as their previous outings:
Edward Woudhuysen, from London, studying History
Joe Day, from Bideford in Devon, studying Physics with Astrophysics
Captain: Elizabeth Mitchell, from Birmingham, studying PPE
Jonathan Collings, from Manchester, studying Geography

Apart from that previous victory for Trinity over Manchester, very little between these two good teams on paper. It could've gone either way.

It was Trinity who got off the mark first, with Matthew Ridley getting the first starter; but then JOW and LAM contributor Filip 'opaltiger' Drnovšek Zorko slipped up, and allowed Manchester to get off the mark as well. The Mancunians maintained an early advantage on the buzzer, and after the first picture round, on Latin excerpts from poems, they led by 55-20.

Back hit Trinity though, with two correct starters in a row and a good handful of bonuses allowing them to catch up and draw level. But then a second slip-up allowed Manchester to take back the lead. Our man Filip was a little lucky on the next starter, pausing for a moment before answering and getting told off for doing so. The bonuses did allow them to reclaim the lead, but not for long, as Manchester swiftly reclaimed it, with Jonathan Collings once again giving a good buzzer performance.

Mr Collings also took the music starter, and the bonuses, on performers who have received the Royal Philharmonic Society's gold medal for Outstanding Musicianship, gave his side a lead of 115-75. Two more starters fell Mr Collings' way, and the bonuses that went with them saw Manchester's lead rise two 80 points. Trinity looked in trouble, but Ralph Morley promptly shot in on the next starter, and they were back in the game.

Neither side took the picture starter, but Trinity took the next starter to take the picture bonuses, on portraits of Scottish writers; they took all the bonuses, closing the gap to 155-120. A slip-up from Joe Day handed another starter, but no bonuses followed this time. Mr Day promptly made up for his error, and Manchester's lead went up again.

But Trinity had now got into gear, and in the closing minutes of the match, began to build up a head of steam. The starters began falling for them, and they maintained their good bonus showing from throughout the night. They had soon drawn level, and then our man Filip took them into the lead.

All they had to do now was not make any more mistakes on the buzzer, and they had likely done enough. They didn't, and soon had built up a substantial lead with surely not much time left. A chance did come for Manchester to get back in, but they couldn't take it. At the gong, Trinity had won the match 260-175.

That was exhausting! Very well done to Filip and co for a great recovery, and a well deserved win and place in the final; best of luck to yous for then! But very well done Manchester too; it may not be a third title in a row, but you reached the semis again, and that in itself in a great achievement. Well done indeed!

On the buzzers, Messrs Morley and Freeland got four starters each for Trinity, while Jonathan Collings was once again the best buzzer for Manchester with six; he finishes the series his side's best buzzer by miles with thirty-six(!), a total that may be enough to make him the best buzzer of the series. On the bonuses, Trinity converted a brilliant 28 out of 37 (with two penalties), while Manchester managed an also very good 18 out of 27 (with one penalty). Superb work there; shame this wasn't the final really.

So, I can only presume it's Somerville vs SOAS next week; whoever wins that will deserve to join Trinity in the final. Best of luck both teams!