Evening all. The first round is nearly over now; just two more matches after tonight's. A losing score tonight of 165 or more would give the losers a definite place in the play-offs.
Brasenose College Oxford is thought to take it's name from a brass door knocker, and is based on the site of the medieval Brasenose Hall. Alumni include Michael Palin and David Cameron. It sent a team to UC last year, who lost their first match to Manchester. This year's team were:
Louise Naude, from Manchester, studying French and Italian
Gwen Cartwright, from Cardiff, studying Medicine
Captain: Rosie Thomas, from Loughborough, studying PPE
Russell Black, from Droitwich in Worcestershire, studying History and Economics
Durham University was founded in 1832, and is considered the third oldest university in England. It's college provide accommodation rather than teaching, so just one Durham team enter every year. Alumni include George Alagiah, Gabby Logan, Jeremy Vine and Andrew Strauss. Last year's Durham team lost to Queens' College Cambridge in the first round, but survived to the repechage, where they lost to Christ Church Oxford. This year's quartet were:
Daniel Morgan-Thomas, from East London, studying History and Classics
Freddie Lloyd, from Penshurst in Kent, studying Philosophy
Captain: Fred Harvey, from Bridlington in East Yorkshire, studying Physics
Nikul Boyd-Shah, from Bournemouth, studying Law
Off we set again then, as I seem to be saying every week, and Nikul Boyd-Shah was first to the buzzer, and claimed the first starter for Durham. Messrs Harvey and Morgan-Thomas did likewise for the next two, but the side only took one bonus from each set. The first picture round, on timelines depicting political parties in power in specific countries, went to Durham, and their lead stood at 65-0.
That lead got bigger when the Northerners took the next starter, and all three bonuses. Brasenose finally got off the mark courtesy of Miss Naude calling Paxo a 'b-word'! (It made sense in context!) The side took one of their bonuses, only to surrender five points to a slip-up. The starter was dropped, as was the next one. An amusing moment came when Miss Cartwright buzzed on the next starter, and the camera started moving towards Miss Thomas instead, and had to swerve and correct itself! All she did, however, was lose another five points, and allow Durham to forge ahead.
The music round, on arias performed by the late great Pavarotti, went to Durham, and they had opened up a lead of 125-5. And their lead was just getting bigger by the minute, as they were getting the starters, and Brasenose just weren't. Miss Cartwright accidentally buzzed pre-question, and got told off by Paxo! Even though Durham's bonus rate wasn't all that good, their superior buzzer work meant it didn't really matter.
The second picture round, on statues in railway stations, went to Durham, and their lead stood at 195-5. It looked all over, and now it was just a question of how much more both teams could score, for different reasons. Brasenose just weren't able to get in on the starters, and Durham were, and their variable bonus rate made no difference. With just minutes to go, you began to fear Brasenose would be in the history books for all the wrong reasons, remaining stuck of 5.
Thankfully, Russell Black managed two late starters, and the side took two bonuses from the two sets. Durham picked up the final starter of the game, but couldn't get anything from the bonuses there were time for. At the gong, Durham won 250-35.
Paxo asked Brasenose what happened to them! They couldn't get in on the starters, that's what happened. Bad luck to them, but they took their defeat well enough, and must be half decent to have got on the show in the first place, so good for them. Well done to Durham though, and best of luck next time! I have a feeling they may not have it so easy next time.
Daniel Morgan-Thomas was the night's best buzzer, getting seven starters for Durham, while Russell Black's late two were Brasenose's best. On the bonuses, the Oxonians converted 3 out of 9 (with two penalties), while Durham converted 20 out of 43, which isn't too bad, but does suggest they won the match on the buzzer. We shall see how they fare against a stronger team on the buzzer.
Safely through to the repechage: Open (190), Manchester (160)
Next week's match: Corpus Christi College Cambridge vs York
Only Connect saw the Chessmen, who finished third back in Series 2, return for a second go. Again, no spoilers, but keep watching until the end is as far as I'm prepared to spoil.
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