University Challenge 2013-14: Semi-Final 2: Somerville vs SOAS

Sorry I'm a bit later than usual this week; have been having problems with my telly. Anyway, we've reached the second semi-final of, what has been, a superb series of University Challenge. Whoever won tonight would deservedly join Trinity in the Grand Final next week.

Somerville College Oxford got to this stage undefeated, beating Pembroke College Cambridge, York, Clare College Cambridge and our old friends Southampton, all good teams in their own right. The favourites for tonight's match were the same four from their quarter-final matches: 
Sam Walker, from Stafford, studying Physics  
Zac Vermeer, from Sydney, studying Law  
Captain: Michael Davies, from Blackburn, studying PPE  
Chris Beer, from Blyborough in Lincolnshire, studying English Literature

SOAS got to this stage via victories over Southampton (also), Reading, Cardiff and Queen's University Belfast; however they did lose to Trinity in between their victories over Cardiff and Queen's. Despite looking less strong recently, they still looked a good team. They were also the same four as before: 
Maeve Weber, from Knebworth in Hertfordshire, studying Ancient Near East Studies  
Luke Vivian-Neal, from Lusaka in Zambia, studying Chinese  
Captain: Peter McKean, from Wallington in South London, studying African History  
James Figueroa, from Surrey, studying African Studies and Development Studies

So, on paper, Somerville looked to have been more impressive overall, but SOAS could still have plenty of potential left in them.

Off we went again then, and straight away, Chris Beer slipped up, allowing SOAS to take an early lead. A second slip-up from Somerville dropped them to -10, and SOAS had already opened up a 65 point lead. But Somerville finally got moving in the right direction courtesy of the hitherto-impressive Zac Vermeer, and by the first picture round, on diagrams of European general election results, they had closed the gap to 55-30.

Having now recovered from that shaky start, Somerville had now hit their stride, and two starters in a row from Chris Beer took them into the lead; the side's bonus performance seemed to be varying. A third slip-up allowed SOAS back into the game, and one bonus was enough to level the scores.

Somerville retook the lead by taking the music round, on classical music associated with the macabre. Their lead now stood at a slender 85-70. It increased when Sam Walker took the next starter, but the side had no luck with a set of bonuses on ophthalmology, eventually resorting to making something up! A slip-up from SOAS handed another starter to Chris Beer, giving the Oxonians a set of bonuses of literary squirrels!

Another starter went to Mr Beer, and Somerville's lead was beginning to reach match-winning level. Neither side took the second picture starter, but Somerville eventually got the bonuses, on renaissance paintings depicting feasts; despite not taking any of these, their lead now stood at 145-65.

SOAS needed to completely dominate the game from now on if they were to catch up; they gave it a go, with Luke Vivian-Neal getting a starter for the side, and two bonuses going with it. But when Zac Vermeer took the next starter, it looked like Somerville were safe.

Another starter for SOAS followed, but the side got nothing from the bonuses. Somerville, by comparison, managed a full set of bonuses, which only served to reinforce their victory. SOAS did, however, manage to reach three figures, which they definitely deserved to do. At the gong, Somerville won 190-105.

Bad luck SOAS, but you've done very well indeed to reach the semi-finals, which is very impressive in its own right, and you have us some great performances; well done on a fine series of performances. Well done to Somerville too though on another fine performance, and best of luck for the final next week!

Chris Beer was the best buzzer of the night, getting seven starters (same as SOAS got altogether), which allows him to narrowly overtake Zac Vermeer as the side's best buzzer, with twenty to Mr Vermeer's nineteen. Ms Weber and Messrs Vivian-Neal and Figueroa all got two each for SOAS, and while Peter McKean got just the one, he finishes the series the side's best buzzer overall with a total of twenty-seven. On the bonuses, Somerville converted a respectable 19 out of 33 (with three penalties), while SOAS managed 8 out of 18 (with one penalty).

So, next week, it's the Grand Final, between Trinity and Somerville. It should be a fine match! Best of luck to everyone involved!