OK, Only Connect time. Remember, the winners go through to the group stage, while the runners-up would fall into the play-off round alongside the other second round runners-up and the two highest scoring first round runners-up.
Playing were the Eco-Warriors, Jonathan Kershaw, Peter Barlow and captain Brett Bostock, who won a good first round match against the Escapologists, one of the two first round survivors, and the Snake Charmers, Thomas Rychlik, Kate Pfeffer and captain John Howe, who easily triumphed over the Extras in their first outing.
Round 1. The Warriors went first, and kicked the match off with Lion: ''Pressed'', then ''Stained'', then ''Little Hood''; at this point, they offered 'translations of names of Italian painters'. Not right. Their opponents saw ''American'', but were none the wiser; they are translations of names of types of coffee. The Charmers kicked their night off with 'Horn-ed' Viper: 'Dutch 1/12', then 'English 1/12', then 'Portuguese 1/12', and finally 'Spanish 9/12'. They saw it at the last minute to be the languages spoken in independent South American countries. The Warriors chose Two Reeds, and got the music question: we heard 'Back to the Old House' by the Smiths, then the theme from the Back to the Future films, then Amy Winehouse with 'Back to Black'; they got the link the wrong way round, and offered 'black', not right. Their opponents heard 'Back to Life' by Soul2Soul, and offered the correct link for a bonus. For their own question, the Charmers chose Eye of Horus, and got the picture set: we saw some fighter jets, then a cowboy shaped sign, then the Old Vic theatre, and then the Queen Vic from EastEnders. They offered that they are all 'Vic' for the point. (The first clues being a 'Vic formation' and 'Vegas Vic' respectively) The Warriors chose Water next: 'Dr Jeff Wilson', then 'Nagg & Nell', then 'Top Cat', and finally 'Oscar the Grouch'. They spotted that they all live in bins, and collected their first point of the night. Left with Twisted Flax, the Charmers saw 'Corn on the cob', then 'Elizabeth I', then 'Analogue clock', and finally 'Snail mail'. They didn't see it, nor did their opponents; they are retronyms, ie they have not always been known as that and have been renamed retrospectively. At the end of the first round, the Charmers led 3-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Warriors kicked the round off with Twisted Flax: '4: Meeting on the Via Dolorosa', then '5: Crucifixion'; they offered 'the Resurrection', which was not right. Their opponents saw '6: Deposition', but were none the wiser. They are the last four sorrows of the Virgin Mary, so '7: Burial of Jesus' would be fourth. The Charmers chose 'Horn-ed' Viper next, and got the picture set: we saw two Man U players, one of whom was on his back with his legs up, then a ramp, and then a stereo speaker. They are it to be 'CRAMP', 'RAMP' and 'AMP', so offered 'a photo of Jacob Rees-Mogg' for 'MP' for the two points. The Warriors chose Two Reeds next: '1st January 2002', then '1st February 2003', and then '2nd March 2005'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: it's the Fibonacci sequence expressed as dates, so '3rd May 2008' would be fourth. Good set! For their own question, the Charmers chose Lion: 'Man-of-War (2016)', then 'Practices (2012)'; they tried 'Tragedy (2004)', which was correct, the sequence being winners of the Euros going backwards and words associated with their nationalities (Portugal, Spain, Spain and Greece respectively). For their final choice, the Warriors chose Eye of Horus: 'Zip line', then 'See-saw', and then 'Travelator'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: its the final four objects on the Gladiators Eliminator assault course, so 'Swing through paper burst' would complete the set. Left with Water, the Charmers saw 'Johns', then '40', and then 'Fields'. They didn't see it, their opponents did, offering 'Yeats' for a bonus, the sequence being 'WE (Johns)', 'WD(40)' and 'WC (Fields)'. At the end of the second round, the Charmers led 9-2.
On to the Walls. The Charmers went first, and chose to tackle the Lion wall. After a few early wrong guesses, they had two sets in the bag in short order: 'Waldheim', 'Klimt', 'Lauda' and 'Popper' are famous Austrians, while 'Heavens', 'Gracious', 'Grief' and 'God' can all follow 'Good' to give exclamations (of the sort Paxo might, and indeed did yesterday, use!). After carefully looking over the remaining clues, they had it on their first try: 'Zip', 'Button', 'Buckle' and 'Toggle' are clothes fastenings, while 'Lord', 'Schwarzenegger', 'Shea' and 'Laver' are people who gave their names to sports stadiums, but they didn't get that, so dropped three points. Seven for that then.
The Warriors could put themselves back in the game with a clean sweep of the Water wall. They quickly ran into trouble, struggling to slot anything into place. Eventually, they isolated 'Caveat', 'Curriculum', 'Status' and 'Vox', which are words that begin Latin phrases. This was promptly followed by 'Editor', 'Marine', 'Sonic' and 'Urban', which can all follow 'Sub' to give longer words. After looking at what they had left, they had it in place on their second go: 'Durham', 'Helfgott', 'Melba' and 'Goodrem' are Australian musicians, while 'Cave', 'Performance', 'Pop' and 'Kinetic' are types of art. A full ten there, but they still trailed 16-12 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels would decide who went through, and who needed two more wins. 'Films with countries in the title' was split 1-each, with the Charmers getting two right but one wrong. 'Car companies and their emblems' was a clean sweep to the Warriors, 4-0. 'Things that contain almonds' saw the Charmers get one wrong, and none answered correctly. That was it; the Warriors had snuck it, 17-16!
Another good match with some excellent questions. Unlucky Charmers, unlucky to just get pipped at the post, best of luck in the play-off round. Well done Warriors though, and very best of luck in the group stage!
No match this week, as LIVE FA Cup football gets priority; wouldn't happen if it were on a Monday! Back on the 10th with the Meeples vs the Belgophiles.
Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Monday, 30 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: Repechage Play-Off 1: Ulster vs St Anne's
Evening all. So, the nights are drawing in, the weather's getting colder, as evidenced by the fact I've put my heating on advance twice today, which means we must be starting to see UC teams for second times. The first of the two play-offs tonight, between a team we first saw way back in the middle of summer, and one we first met only two weeks ago. Winners would take the penultimate place in the second round.
Ulster were defeated by Edinburgh in the first match of the series back in July by the narrowest margin possible, five points, having led much of the way through, by 165-160, which turned out to be the highest losing score of the first round. They were unchanged from that occasion:
Cathal McDaid, from Buncrana in County Donegal, studying English Literature
Kate Ritchie, from Waringstown in County Armagh, studying Fine Art
Captain: Ian Jack, from Peterhead, studying Pharmacy
Matthew Milliken, from Comber in County Down, studying Education
St Anne's College Oxford suffered a more comprehensive defeat at the hands of Corpus Christi College Cambridge in their first match, despite periods of promise, ultimately losing 225-135. Paxo's final words to them suggested to me they may not be back, but they've made it, and were also unchanged from before:
Ramani Chandramohan, from Canterbury, studying Classics and French
Cameron Royle, from Fleet in Hampshire, studying Chemistry
Captain: Kanta Dihal, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, studying Literature
Andrew Jamieson, from Northampton, studying Earth Sciences
Off we set again then, and Ms Ritchie opened the night's scoring for Ulster; the first bonuses of the night, on Japanese inventions, saw them, and me, take just the one, emojis. Mr Jack, the side's best buzzer in the opening match, took his first starter of the night, but bonuses on astronomy added nothing to their score. Ms Dihal got St Anne's off the mark, but they too got nothing from their first bonus set on Scottish artists. A penalty then halved their score, and handed Ulster the points; Polish composers gave the Northern Ireland team a full bonus set. The first picture round, on floorplans of London buildings, went to Ulster, who took just the one bonus, increasing their lead to 65-5.
A second penalty then reset the Oxford side's score to 0; Mr Jack took the points, and the resultant bonuses on feminist literature gave them one correct answer, and a good comedy moment as Ms Ritchie briefly protested at being nominated! Mr Milliken then made sure all four Ulster players had a starter to their name, and two bonuses followed from the resulting set took them into triple figures. Mr Jack quickly worked out a piece of planetary arithmetic for the next starter, but nothing came from the bonuses this time. A second quick buzz from Mr Jack in a row pressed home his side's advantage, though the bonuses provided just the one correct answer again.
The music round, on music famously used at the start of films, allowed St Anne's back into the match; one bonus reduced their arrears to 125-15. Back came Ulster, with Mr Jack identifying the Suez canal; again, though, the bonuses provided them with no correct answers, though they did offer a good amusing guess for one! Mr Royle took St Anne's back into the match, and one bonus followed. Ms Dihal took a second starter in a row for the Oxford side, and a bonus set on regions of the Netherlands fell nicely into her lap, needing no assistance to take a full set! Mr Jack reasserted Ulster's authority with the next starter, but just the one bonus followed again. The Northern Ireland side seemed to be dominating the buzzer race, but their modest bonus rate meant St Anne's could be in with a shout could they get a buzzer and bonus run together.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on recipients of the Bodley medal, went to St Anne's, who took two bonuses, which meant they now trailed 150-75. Mr Jack identified the flea for the next starter; though just the one bonus followed again, with not much time left, you fancied they'd done enough, and it would be too late for St Anne's to catch up now.
They tried, Miss Chandramohan taking a punt on the next starter, but all it earned her was a "Good Heavens, no!" from Paxo! Mr Jamieson fared somewhat better, taking the next starter, but nothing came from their resultant bonuses on Hong Kong theatre. Mr Royle took a second starter in a row for the Oxonians, but, again, nothing came from the bonuses. A penalty then allowed Mr Milliken to take the final starter of the night for Ulster, just in time for the gong; Ulster won, 175-90.
A rather low scoring match, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Unlucky St Anne's, who were comprehensively beaten on the buzzer, but came across well then they got in and have nothing to be ashamed of, thanks for playing. Well done Ulster though, a strong performance on the buzzer making up for a rather modest showing on the bonuses, best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Jack was by far the best buzzer of the night, with seven starters, same as St Anne's managed between them, Mr Royle was their best buzzer with three. On the bonuses, Ulster converted just 11 out of 33, while St Anne's managed just 7 out of 21 (with three penalties); both rather low rates there, so it was on the buzzer that this match was won.
Next week's match: St Hugh's vs U.C.L. in the second play-off
Only Connect review coming up tomorrow, as the new format continues to confuse, though I think some are beginning to get the hang of it now.
Ulster were defeated by Edinburgh in the first match of the series back in July by the narrowest margin possible, five points, having led much of the way through, by 165-160, which turned out to be the highest losing score of the first round. They were unchanged from that occasion:
Cathal McDaid, from Buncrana in County Donegal, studying English Literature
Kate Ritchie, from Waringstown in County Armagh, studying Fine Art
Captain: Ian Jack, from Peterhead, studying Pharmacy
Matthew Milliken, from Comber in County Down, studying Education
St Anne's College Oxford suffered a more comprehensive defeat at the hands of Corpus Christi College Cambridge in their first match, despite periods of promise, ultimately losing 225-135. Paxo's final words to them suggested to me they may not be back, but they've made it, and were also unchanged from before:
Ramani Chandramohan, from Canterbury, studying Classics and French
Cameron Royle, from Fleet in Hampshire, studying Chemistry
Captain: Kanta Dihal, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, studying Literature
Andrew Jamieson, from Northampton, studying Earth Sciences
Off we set again then, and Ms Ritchie opened the night's scoring for Ulster; the first bonuses of the night, on Japanese inventions, saw them, and me, take just the one, emojis. Mr Jack, the side's best buzzer in the opening match, took his first starter of the night, but bonuses on astronomy added nothing to their score. Ms Dihal got St Anne's off the mark, but they too got nothing from their first bonus set on Scottish artists. A penalty then halved their score, and handed Ulster the points; Polish composers gave the Northern Ireland team a full bonus set. The first picture round, on floorplans of London buildings, went to Ulster, who took just the one bonus, increasing their lead to 65-5.
A second penalty then reset the Oxford side's score to 0; Mr Jack took the points, and the resultant bonuses on feminist literature gave them one correct answer, and a good comedy moment as Ms Ritchie briefly protested at being nominated! Mr Milliken then made sure all four Ulster players had a starter to their name, and two bonuses followed from the resulting set took them into triple figures. Mr Jack quickly worked out a piece of planetary arithmetic for the next starter, but nothing came from the bonuses this time. A second quick buzz from Mr Jack in a row pressed home his side's advantage, though the bonuses provided just the one correct answer again.
The music round, on music famously used at the start of films, allowed St Anne's back into the match; one bonus reduced their arrears to 125-15. Back came Ulster, with Mr Jack identifying the Suez canal; again, though, the bonuses provided them with no correct answers, though they did offer a good amusing guess for one! Mr Royle took St Anne's back into the match, and one bonus followed. Ms Dihal took a second starter in a row for the Oxford side, and a bonus set on regions of the Netherlands fell nicely into her lap, needing no assistance to take a full set! Mr Jack reasserted Ulster's authority with the next starter, but just the one bonus followed again. The Northern Ireland side seemed to be dominating the buzzer race, but their modest bonus rate meant St Anne's could be in with a shout could they get a buzzer and bonus run together.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on recipients of the Bodley medal, went to St Anne's, who took two bonuses, which meant they now trailed 150-75. Mr Jack identified the flea for the next starter; though just the one bonus followed again, with not much time left, you fancied they'd done enough, and it would be too late for St Anne's to catch up now.
They tried, Miss Chandramohan taking a punt on the next starter, but all it earned her was a "Good Heavens, no!" from Paxo! Mr Jamieson fared somewhat better, taking the next starter, but nothing came from their resultant bonuses on Hong Kong theatre. Mr Royle took a second starter in a row for the Oxonians, but, again, nothing came from the bonuses. A penalty then allowed Mr Milliken to take the final starter of the night for Ulster, just in time for the gong; Ulster won, 175-90.
A rather low scoring match, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Unlucky St Anne's, who were comprehensively beaten on the buzzer, but came across well then they got in and have nothing to be ashamed of, thanks for playing. Well done Ulster though, a strong performance on the buzzer making up for a rather modest showing on the bonuses, best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Jack was by far the best buzzer of the night, with seven starters, same as St Anne's managed between them, Mr Royle was their best buzzer with three. On the bonuses, Ulster converted just 11 out of 33, while St Anne's managed just 7 out of 21 (with three penalties); both rather low rates there, so it was on the buzzer that this match was won.
Next week's match: St Hugh's vs U.C.L. in the second play-off
Only Connect review coming up tomorrow, as the new format continues to confuse, though I think some are beginning to get the hang of it now.
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: First Round Review
OK, we're at the end of the first round, so it's time for my usual look back at it, and the raw stats surrounding it. As ever, we have my list of the fourteen teams safely through to the second round, together with their scores and margins of victory:
Well, this week's winners Merton have the highest score of the round; Southampton have the second highest and the biggest margin of victory. Those two, along with the three Cambridge teams who broke 200 against teams who broke triple figures, Fitzwilliam, St John's and Corpus Christi, would probably start as the favourites to progress.
Provided they avoid each other of course. Eagle eyed viewers will have noticed that, for the last three series, the second round matches have followed the pattern 9 vs 10 and 12 vs 13, followed by a random draw among the rest. It is no secret that this is because, since 2010-11, when the show began being filmed and in the bag before the last series ended, the first two second round matches are filmed on the same day as the teams involved's first matches.
If they carry on this format this year, Fitzwilliam would play Strathclyde, followed by St John's vs Corpus Christi. The latter of which would be a very unfortunate fixture to have at this stage.
Ignoring the prospect of pre-arranged fixtures, I would tip Merton and those three Cambridge sides to progress, provided they avoid each other. Southampton I'll need to see against a proven quantity before we earmark them as one to watch, same with other teams like Bristol and Warwick who won their first matches via better buzzing.
I would also keep an eye on Magdalen, whose teams are never worth writing off, and Edinburgh, who impressed in their narrow first round win over a strong Ulster team.
Speaking of which, here are the four play-off survivors:
After some initial confusion (which led me to be half expected King's to make a late sprint for the play-offs on Monday), we now know the draw for the play-offs: Ulster will play St Anne's this coming Monday, then St Hugh's will play U.C.L. the week after.
Based on the first round performances, I'd probably tip Ulster and St Hugh's to go through, but, again, I really cannot call either match. As we know from experience, first round form is a rather poor guide to how well a team will fare second time out. As many contestants have said on Twitter, including Mr Salter of this year's Warwick team in speaking up for his first opponents, the first round of UC can be incredibly nervy for even the best of teams.
That's why the raw stats of the first round will only tell you so much about what to expect in the later rounds. We usually get at least one team who begin the second round as outsiders making the group stage, often at the expense of a team you'd have expected to beat them based on their first round form.
That's what makes us want to tune in and watch UC every week, the intrigue of what's going to happen every week. Anyone can beat anyone. Theoretically.
Well, whatever happens in the next round, I'll be watching and reporting as ever. Here's to it; I await it as eagerly as ever!
I'll be back on Monday with my usual UC write up.
- Edinburgh (165, 5)
- Bristol (230, 135)
- Southampton (280, 240)
- Magdalen College Oxford (185, 80)
- Warwick (240, 80)
- Oxford Brookes (175, 90)
- Trinity College Oxford (160, 15)
- Newcastle (170, 130)
- Fitzwilliam College Cambridge (200, 95)
- Strathclyde (145, 20)
- Emmanuel College Cambridge (170, 15)
- St John's College Cambridge (255, 135)
- Corpus Christi College Cambridge (225, 90)
- Merton College Oxford (285, 175)
Well, this week's winners Merton have the highest score of the round; Southampton have the second highest and the biggest margin of victory. Those two, along with the three Cambridge teams who broke 200 against teams who broke triple figures, Fitzwilliam, St John's and Corpus Christi, would probably start as the favourites to progress.
Provided they avoid each other of course. Eagle eyed viewers will have noticed that, for the last three series, the second round matches have followed the pattern 9 vs 10 and 12 vs 13, followed by a random draw among the rest. It is no secret that this is because, since 2010-11, when the show began being filmed and in the bag before the last series ended, the first two second round matches are filmed on the same day as the teams involved's first matches.
If they carry on this format this year, Fitzwilliam would play Strathclyde, followed by St John's vs Corpus Christi. The latter of which would be a very unfortunate fixture to have at this stage.
Ignoring the prospect of pre-arranged fixtures, I would tip Merton and those three Cambridge sides to progress, provided they avoid each other. Southampton I'll need to see against a proven quantity before we earmark them as one to watch, same with other teams like Bristol and Warwick who won their first matches via better buzzing.
I would also keep an eye on Magdalen, whose teams are never worth writing off, and Edinburgh, who impressed in their narrow first round win over a strong Ulster team.
Speaking of which, here are the four play-off survivors:
- Ulster (160, 5)
- St Hugh's College Oxford (155, 15)
- University College London (145, 15)
- St Anne's College Oxford (135, 90)
After some initial confusion (which led me to be half expected King's to make a late sprint for the play-offs on Monday), we now know the draw for the play-offs: Ulster will play St Anne's this coming Monday, then St Hugh's will play U.C.L. the week after.
Based on the first round performances, I'd probably tip Ulster and St Hugh's to go through, but, again, I really cannot call either match. As we know from experience, first round form is a rather poor guide to how well a team will fare second time out. As many contestants have said on Twitter, including Mr Salter of this year's Warwick team in speaking up for his first opponents, the first round of UC can be incredibly nervy for even the best of teams.
That's why the raw stats of the first round will only tell you so much about what to expect in the later rounds. We usually get at least one team who begin the second round as outsiders making the group stage, often at the expense of a team you'd have expected to beat them based on their first round form.
That's what makes us want to tune in and watch UC every week, the intrigue of what's going to happen every week. Anyone can beat anyone. Theoretically.
Well, whatever happens in the next round, I'll be watching and reporting as ever. Here's to it; I await it as eagerly as ever!
I'll be back on Monday with my usual UC write up.
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Only Connect Series 13: Round 2: Match 1: Vikings vs Parishioners
OK, Only Connect time at last. Back to Tuesdays for reviewing for now, in preparation for when the show returns to the correct day next year. Into the second round now, with the six first round winners playing for a place in the group stage, while the six runners-up will join the two highest scoring first round runners-up (the Escapologists and the Cricketers are my best bet) in a two stage play-off round, with the two ultimate winners going to the group stage. Complicated, I know, but as WW pointed out, it does mean no team exits after a win and a single loss, one of the main issues we both have with UC's current format.
Anyway, playing on Friday night, we had the Vikings, Mark Oxley, John Wilson and captain Mick Lee, who snuck past the Geocachers by a single point in the first round, and the Parishioners, Tracey Rawlins, her husband Andy and captain Ian Fellows, who comfortably saw off the Stewards first time out.
Round 1. The Parishioners kicked the show off with Eye of Horus, and the music set: we heard JS Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, then the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker, then Mussorgsky's A Night on the Bare Mountain; they offered that they have animals in their titles, not right. Their opponents heard 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', but were none the wiser: they are pieces used in Disney's Fantasia. (One of the few Disney animated films I've never seen any of and thus know little about) The Vikings opened their account with Lion: 'William Pitt the Younger (120)', then 'Transport for London Lost Property Office (200)', then 'Dangermouuse (Pillar Box)'; they offered that they live in Downing Street at those addresses, not right. Their opponents saw 'Sherlock Holmes (221b)', and offered that they live in Baker Street at those addresses for the first point of the night. For their own question, the Parishioners chose Two Reeds, and got the picture set: we saw a roll of copper, then an Cos lettuce, then a selection of Capri pants, and finally a Maltese cross. They didn't see it, their opponents did, offering that they are named after Mediterranean islands for a bonus. For their own question, the Vikings chose Water: 'Comedian', then 'Identical Twin', then 'Private Life', and finally 'The History Boy'. That last clue gave it to them: their plural forms are the titles of plays. The Parishioners chose Twisted Flax next: they saw 'Foreign Legion (first year)', and took a five point punt on 'the durations during which you are not allowed to leave'; not correct alas. Their opponents saw ''The Economist' journalists', '11th tradition of drink reformers' and 'Offenders in youth courts (in England and Wales)', and offered that they all have the right of anonymity for a bonus point. Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Vikings saw 'Y/k', then 'cheWster'; they identified them as dingbat representations of English city names ('York' and 'Winchester') for three points. At the end of the first round, the Vikings led 6-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Parishioners opened with Eye of Horus: 'Set of dominoes', then 'Guinea', and then 'Stone'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they represent 28, 21 and 14, so something there are seven of, such as 'Deadly Sins', would satisfy for the bonus point. For their own question, the Vikings chose Two Reeds, and got the picture set: we saw a potato alongside '001', then a potato alongside '010'; they saw it to be the potato counting rhyme with the numbers in binary, so offered a potato alongside '100'. Close enough, it's just 'four' in the last verse, but we get the idea. The Parishioners chose Lion next: 'James Garner and Tom Cruise', then 'Enemy of Bugs Bunny', and then 'Vertical rock formation in California'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents. The sequence is Mac operating systems, 'Mavericks', 'Yosemite' and 'El Capitan', so something for 'Sierra', such as 'Mountain range', would be fourth. Too hard! The Vikings chose Twisted Flax next: '4: Hispaniola', then '3: Ireland', and then '2: Borneo'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: '1: New Guinea' completes the set, the sequence being the largest territorially divided islands. For their final choice, the Parishioners chose Water: 'Arsenal (1910s)', then 'Everton (1950s)', and then 'Liverpool (1960s)'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are the longest serving top flight teams, and the decades they were last promoted to the top flight. Left with Horned Viper for their own final question, the Vikings saw 'West Park', then 'Northworld', and then 'Eastern Exposure'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are TV shows with their titular compass points rotated clockwise, South Park, Westworld and Northern Exposure, so 'SouthEnders' would be an acceptable answer for the points. At the end of the second round, the Vikings led 11-1.
On to the Walls. The Vikings took their turn to go first, and chose to tackle the Lion wall. Their first set came almost instantly: 'Snap', 'Dial', 'Wolf' and 'Reviled' are words that form other words when read backwards. A second set followed suite: 'Hearts', 'Bridge', 'Solo' and 'Nap' are trick-taking card games. The final clues slotted in fairly soon afterwards: 'Pray', 'Shine', 'Sure' and 'Patience' are songs by Take That, while 'Flower', 'Rise', 'Glasses' and 'Day' can all follow 'Sun'. A full ten there.
The Parishioners were thus, realistically, out of it as they set to work on the Water wall. After some early wrong guesses, they isolated 'Vain', 'Blue Sky', 'Writer' and 'Brightside', which can all follow 'Mr' to give song titles. After some more incorrect tries, they had a second set in the bag: 'Mark', 'Mask', 'Rok' and 'Bask' are words where the 'k' can be replaced with 'que' to give different words. After carefully looking over the final clues, they had it all worked out: 'Bane', 'Zoom', 'Kingpin' and 'Sandman' are comic book villains, which they got close enough to for the point, while 'Road', 'Hay', 'Deck' and 'Bullseye' are things that can be 'hit'. Another full ten, which left them trailing 21-11 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish with as usual. 'Programmes on the BBC News Channel' was split 2-each. 'Spam email subject lines', such as 'CHEAP GENERIC VIAGRA'(!) proved hard, the Parishioners taking the round's only point. 'Rivers and the bridges that span them' saw the Parishioners lose a point for a rogue 'THE', and there was no time for their opponents to pick up. The Vikings won 23-13.
A decent show even if a bit one sided. Unlucky Parishioners, best of luck in the play-off round. Well done Vikings, best of luck in the group stage!
This week's match: the Eco-Warriors vs the Snake Charmers
Back tomorrow with my usual UC first round summary; see you then then.
Anyway, playing on Friday night, we had the Vikings, Mark Oxley, John Wilson and captain Mick Lee, who snuck past the Geocachers by a single point in the first round, and the Parishioners, Tracey Rawlins, her husband Andy and captain Ian Fellows, who comfortably saw off the Stewards first time out.
Round 1. The Parishioners kicked the show off with Eye of Horus, and the music set: we heard JS Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, then the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker, then Mussorgsky's A Night on the Bare Mountain; they offered that they have animals in their titles, not right. Their opponents heard 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', but were none the wiser: they are pieces used in Disney's Fantasia. (One of the few Disney animated films I've never seen any of and thus know little about) The Vikings opened their account with Lion: 'William Pitt the Younger (120)', then 'Transport for London Lost Property Office (200)', then 'Dangermouuse (Pillar Box)'; they offered that they live in Downing Street at those addresses, not right. Their opponents saw 'Sherlock Holmes (221b)', and offered that they live in Baker Street at those addresses for the first point of the night. For their own question, the Parishioners chose Two Reeds, and got the picture set: we saw a roll of copper, then an Cos lettuce, then a selection of Capri pants, and finally a Maltese cross. They didn't see it, their opponents did, offering that they are named after Mediterranean islands for a bonus. For their own question, the Vikings chose Water: 'Comedian', then 'Identical Twin', then 'Private Life', and finally 'The History Boy'. That last clue gave it to them: their plural forms are the titles of plays. The Parishioners chose Twisted Flax next: they saw 'Foreign Legion (first year)', and took a five point punt on 'the durations during which you are not allowed to leave'; not correct alas. Their opponents saw ''The Economist' journalists', '11th tradition of drink reformers' and 'Offenders in youth courts (in England and Wales)', and offered that they all have the right of anonymity for a bonus point. Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Vikings saw 'Y/k', then 'cheWster'; they identified them as dingbat representations of English city names ('York' and 'Winchester') for three points. At the end of the first round, the Vikings led 6-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Parishioners opened with Eye of Horus: 'Set of dominoes', then 'Guinea', and then 'Stone'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they represent 28, 21 and 14, so something there are seven of, such as 'Deadly Sins', would satisfy for the bonus point. For their own question, the Vikings chose Two Reeds, and got the picture set: we saw a potato alongside '001', then a potato alongside '010'; they saw it to be the potato counting rhyme with the numbers in binary, so offered a potato alongside '100'. Close enough, it's just 'four' in the last verse, but we get the idea. The Parishioners chose Lion next: 'James Garner and Tom Cruise', then 'Enemy of Bugs Bunny', and then 'Vertical rock formation in California'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents. The sequence is Mac operating systems, 'Mavericks', 'Yosemite' and 'El Capitan', so something for 'Sierra', such as 'Mountain range', would be fourth. Too hard! The Vikings chose Twisted Flax next: '4: Hispaniola', then '3: Ireland', and then '2: Borneo'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: '1: New Guinea' completes the set, the sequence being the largest territorially divided islands. For their final choice, the Parishioners chose Water: 'Arsenal (1910s)', then 'Everton (1950s)', and then 'Liverpool (1960s)'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are the longest serving top flight teams, and the decades they were last promoted to the top flight. Left with Horned Viper for their own final question, the Vikings saw 'West Park', then 'Northworld', and then 'Eastern Exposure'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are TV shows with their titular compass points rotated clockwise, South Park, Westworld and Northern Exposure, so 'SouthEnders' would be an acceptable answer for the points. At the end of the second round, the Vikings led 11-1.
On to the Walls. The Vikings took their turn to go first, and chose to tackle the Lion wall. Their first set came almost instantly: 'Snap', 'Dial', 'Wolf' and 'Reviled' are words that form other words when read backwards. A second set followed suite: 'Hearts', 'Bridge', 'Solo' and 'Nap' are trick-taking card games. The final clues slotted in fairly soon afterwards: 'Pray', 'Shine', 'Sure' and 'Patience' are songs by Take That, while 'Flower', 'Rise', 'Glasses' and 'Day' can all follow 'Sun'. A full ten there.
The Parishioners were thus, realistically, out of it as they set to work on the Water wall. After some early wrong guesses, they isolated 'Vain', 'Blue Sky', 'Writer' and 'Brightside', which can all follow 'Mr' to give song titles. After some more incorrect tries, they had a second set in the bag: 'Mark', 'Mask', 'Rok' and 'Bask' are words where the 'k' can be replaced with 'que' to give different words. After carefully looking over the final clues, they had it all worked out: 'Bane', 'Zoom', 'Kingpin' and 'Sandman' are comic book villains, which they got close enough to for the point, while 'Road', 'Hay', 'Deck' and 'Bullseye' are things that can be 'hit'. Another full ten, which left them trailing 21-11 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish with as usual. 'Programmes on the BBC News Channel' was split 2-each. 'Spam email subject lines', such as 'CHEAP GENERIC VIAGRA'(!) proved hard, the Parishioners taking the round's only point. 'Rivers and the bridges that span them' saw the Parishioners lose a point for a rogue 'THE', and there was no time for their opponents to pick up. The Vikings won 23-13.
A decent show even if a bit one sided. Unlucky Parishioners, best of luck in the play-off round. Well done Vikings, best of luck in the group stage!
This week's match: the Eco-Warriors vs the Snake Charmers
Back tomorrow with my usual UC first round summary; see you then then.
Monday, 23 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: Round 1: Match 14: Merton vs King's
Evening all. Hope you all made it at the earlier time for tonight's show. So, here we are at the final match of what's been a rather interesting first round that started a bit unbalanced with some rather one sided matches, but which has caught fire in recent weeks with some good high scoring matches. So, for tonight's teams, a score of 140 or more will guarantee a return win or lose.
Merton College Oxford is one of the university's oldest, founded by Walter de Merton in 1264. Alumni include the poet TS Eliot, library founder Sir Thomas Bodley and the athlete Roger Bannister. It won the series in 1980, beating Stephen Fry's Queens' College Cambridge team to the title; its last foray was a second round exit in 2011-12. This year's foursome were:
Edward Thomas, from Oxford, studying Ancient and Modern History
Alexander Peplow, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, studying Medieval Studies
Captain: Leonie Woodland, from Cambridge, studying Physics
Akira Wiberg, from Sweden and Japan, studying Molecular and Cellular Medicine
King's College London was founded by George IV in 1828 as an alternative to UCL. Alumni include the poets Keats, the archbishop Desmond Tutu and the comedy performer Rory Bremner. For a reasonably high profile institution, it has only sent two teams to UC in the Paxo era, in 1997-98 and 2009-10, both of whom exited in the second round. This year's quartet were:
Marta Varela, from Lisbon, studying Academic Practice
Richard Senior, from Lincolnshire, studying 18th Century Studies
Captain: Caroline Spearing, from London, studying 17th Century Latin Poetry
Lochlan Pryer, from the Wirral, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and Merton got off the mark first with Mr Thomas recognising a bio of Fidel Castro. The side put their feet firmly down by taking a full set of bonuses on religion. Mr Wiberg took a second starter for the Oxonians, but bonuses on the World Cup proved less to their liking, taking just the one. (I got one of the ones they didn't, Senegal) A third bonus set on the names of diseases proved a bit more fruitful, with just the one bonus going Merton's way again. The first picture round, on Shakespearean sonnets with words missing, went to King's, who took two of their first bonus set, reducing their arrears to 60-20.
Mr Peplow reasserted Merton's authority on the match, and another two bonuses added to their score. Miss Woodland then made sure all four Mertonians had a starter to their name, and another two bonuses on historians took them into triple figures. It was then Mr Wiberg's turn, and this time Merton took a full set of bonuses on 19th century magazines. Another starter from Miss Woodland, one bonus on astronomy, and Merton had enough points to come back win or lose.
The music starter, Edwin Starr's classic 'War', was missed by both sides (offers of T-Rex and Tom Jones did NOT go down well on the Twittersphere!); the bonuses, on songs banned during the Iraq war, went to King's, who took all three, which cut the gap to 140-45. A second starter in a row went the Londoners way, as did a second full set of bonuses, suggesting they still had plenty more to offer. Back came Merton with Mr Wiberg doing the honours, and political terms provided them with two correct bonuses. Another starter and pair of bonuses restored the 100+ lead Merton had lost only briefly. Ms Spearing did exactly what you must do in this situation, and go for it; alas, all that came for it was a penalty. Mr Peplow did the honours, bonuses on cavalier poetry gave them just the one correct answer this time.
The second picture round, on figures noted for spying, went to Merton, who took just the one bonus, unluckily mistaking Philby for Blunt (I knew it wasn't him, didn't know who it was though), which took their lead to 210-65. A very prompt buzz from Miss Woodland provided them with two correct answers. (My Dad got the last one via the old trick of saying the same answer three times!) Bonuses on income tax provided the Oxford side with a full house and they remained on track for the highest score of the series thus far.
Mr Peplow edged them closer with the next starter, two bonuses putting them one starter away from it. Back came King's though, with Ms Varela doing the honours, but despite a full bonus set on film taglines, it was probably a bit late to pull off a late sprint for the play-offs. Ms Spearing did take a second starter in a row for the Londoners, and two bonuses deservedly took them into triple figures. (Again, my Dad got the last one by saying the same thing thrice!) That was as far as they could get though, Miss Woodburn taking the final starter. At the gong, Merton won 285-110.
Another high quality high scoring match to end the round. Unlucky King's, who just got outplayed on the buzzer, and most definitely would've beaten another team, but a very good effort, and thanks very much for playing. Very well done Merton though, a storming first performance against strong opponents, and one that suggests they may be able to outbuzz anyone; definitely a team to watch, very best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Miss Woodland ended the night's best buzzer, with five starters, while Ms Varela was best for King's with three. On the bonuses, Merton a decent converted 27 out of 43, while King's managed a very good 13 out of 15 (with the night's one penalty); good rates those, well played both sides!
Next week's match: the first play-off! Don't know for sure, but I am informed it is Ulster vs St Anne's in two weeks' time, so my guess in St Hugh's vs U.C.L..
I'll be back tomorrow with my review of Friday's Only Connect, my reviews of which will be returning to Tuesdays now that Robot Wars has returned.
Merton College Oxford is one of the university's oldest, founded by Walter de Merton in 1264. Alumni include the poet TS Eliot, library founder Sir Thomas Bodley and the athlete Roger Bannister. It won the series in 1980, beating Stephen Fry's Queens' College Cambridge team to the title; its last foray was a second round exit in 2011-12. This year's foursome were:
Edward Thomas, from Oxford, studying Ancient and Modern History
Alexander Peplow, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, studying Medieval Studies
Captain: Leonie Woodland, from Cambridge, studying Physics
Akira Wiberg, from Sweden and Japan, studying Molecular and Cellular Medicine
King's College London was founded by George IV in 1828 as an alternative to UCL. Alumni include the poets Keats, the archbishop Desmond Tutu and the comedy performer Rory Bremner. For a reasonably high profile institution, it has only sent two teams to UC in the Paxo era, in 1997-98 and 2009-10, both of whom exited in the second round. This year's quartet were:
Marta Varela, from Lisbon, studying Academic Practice
Richard Senior, from Lincolnshire, studying 18th Century Studies
Captain: Caroline Spearing, from London, studying 17th Century Latin Poetry
Lochlan Pryer, from the Wirral, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and Merton got off the mark first with Mr Thomas recognising a bio of Fidel Castro. The side put their feet firmly down by taking a full set of bonuses on religion. Mr Wiberg took a second starter for the Oxonians, but bonuses on the World Cup proved less to their liking, taking just the one. (I got one of the ones they didn't, Senegal) A third bonus set on the names of diseases proved a bit more fruitful, with just the one bonus going Merton's way again. The first picture round, on Shakespearean sonnets with words missing, went to King's, who took two of their first bonus set, reducing their arrears to 60-20.
Mr Peplow reasserted Merton's authority on the match, and another two bonuses added to their score. Miss Woodland then made sure all four Mertonians had a starter to their name, and another two bonuses on historians took them into triple figures. It was then Mr Wiberg's turn, and this time Merton took a full set of bonuses on 19th century magazines. Another starter from Miss Woodland, one bonus on astronomy, and Merton had enough points to come back win or lose.
The music starter, Edwin Starr's classic 'War', was missed by both sides (offers of T-Rex and Tom Jones did NOT go down well on the Twittersphere!); the bonuses, on songs banned during the Iraq war, went to King's, who took all three, which cut the gap to 140-45. A second starter in a row went the Londoners way, as did a second full set of bonuses, suggesting they still had plenty more to offer. Back came Merton with Mr Wiberg doing the honours, and political terms provided them with two correct bonuses. Another starter and pair of bonuses restored the 100+ lead Merton had lost only briefly. Ms Spearing did exactly what you must do in this situation, and go for it; alas, all that came for it was a penalty. Mr Peplow did the honours, bonuses on cavalier poetry gave them just the one correct answer this time.
The second picture round, on figures noted for spying, went to Merton, who took just the one bonus, unluckily mistaking Philby for Blunt (I knew it wasn't him, didn't know who it was though), which took their lead to 210-65. A very prompt buzz from Miss Woodland provided them with two correct answers. (My Dad got the last one via the old trick of saying the same answer three times!) Bonuses on income tax provided the Oxford side with a full house and they remained on track for the highest score of the series thus far.
Mr Peplow edged them closer with the next starter, two bonuses putting them one starter away from it. Back came King's though, with Ms Varela doing the honours, but despite a full bonus set on film taglines, it was probably a bit late to pull off a late sprint for the play-offs. Ms Spearing did take a second starter in a row for the Londoners, and two bonuses deservedly took them into triple figures. (Again, my Dad got the last one by saying the same thing thrice!) That was as far as they could get though, Miss Woodburn taking the final starter. At the gong, Merton won 285-110.
Another high quality high scoring match to end the round. Unlucky King's, who just got outplayed on the buzzer, and most definitely would've beaten another team, but a very good effort, and thanks very much for playing. Very well done Merton though, a storming first performance against strong opponents, and one that suggests they may be able to outbuzz anyone; definitely a team to watch, very best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Miss Woodland ended the night's best buzzer, with five starters, while Ms Varela was best for King's with three. On the bonuses, Merton a decent converted 27 out of 43, while King's managed a very good 13 out of 15 (with the night's one penalty); good rates those, well played both sides!
Next week's match: the first play-off! Don't know for sure, but I am informed it is Ulster vs St Anne's in two weeks' time, so my guess in St Hugh's vs U.C.L..
I'll be back tomorrow with my review of Friday's Only Connect, my reviews of which will be returning to Tuesdays now that Robot Wars has returned.
Monday, 16 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: Round 1: Match 13: Corpus Christi vs St Anne's
Evening all. After last week's show, I rather sensibly decided to take a Strepsil before the show started, so that I didn't have to run off and get one early on in the show. Hopefully this won't become a forced habit, but we can only wait and see. Anyway, the penultimate second round match, with 150 or more enough to bring either team back win or lose.
Corpus Christi College Cambridge was founded in 1352, and is one of the university's smaller colleges. Alumni include the playwright Marlowe, the Tory bigwigs Francis Maude and Owen Paterson and the actor Hugh Bonneville. It hasn't enjoyed as much success as its Oxford sister college, its most recent performance being an unlucky first round exit three series ago. This year's foursome were:
Tristan Roberts, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, studying Physics
Kripa Panchagnula, from Hemel Hempstead, studying Natural Sceicnes
Captain: Joseph Krol, from Bingley in West Yorkshire, studying Maths
Benedict McDougall, from London, studying Classics
St Anne's College Oxford was founded in 1879, and was a women only college until men were let in 100 years later. Alumni include writers Iris Murdoch and Helen Fielding, political has-been Danny Alexander and conductor Simon Rattle. It too hasn't had much luck in the BBC era, three times exiting in the first round, though an all-female team of alumni did well in the most recent Christmas series. This year's quartet were:
Ramani Chandramohan, from Canterbury, studying Classics and French
Cameron Royle, from Fleet in Hampshire, studying Chemistry
Captain: Kanta Dihal, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, studying Science Communication
Andrew Jamieson, from Northampton, studying Earth Sciences
Off we set again then, and Mr Royle set the ball rolling for the night with 'mortar'; the Oxford side failed to take any of the first bonus set, on rebellions, including a topical one on the Gunpowder Plot. Mr McDougall promptly identified Aristotle to get the Cambridge side off the mark, and they, in contrast, took a full bonus set on Commonwealth island nations. A second starter in a row went to the Corpus Christi right-winger, and a second full bonus set in a row came with it. Mr Royle put a stop to that, and bonuses on 'popinjays' gave St Anne's their first correct bonus. The first picture round, on former colonies and the decades they became independent nations, went to Corpus Christi, whose bonus form continued, a third full set, and a lead of 75-25.
Mr Krol took a second starter in a row, the planet Neptune his answer, but the Cambridge side finally showed some armoury chinks, as they dropped all three bonuses on works differing by one word. Kings of Belgium proved more to Corpus Christi's liking, taking two of that set. Neither side guessed the right decade on the next starter, Miss Chandramohan took the next for St Anne's, and the Oxonians showed they weren't going to take this lying down, taking a full house of their own.
The music round, on Russian classical pieces inspired by the work of Pushkin, went to St Anne's, who took just the one bonus this time, which reduced their arrears to 115-65. A third starter in a row went the Oxford side's way courtesy of Mr Royle, and two bonuses on 19th century US history put them within sight of their opponents. Mr Krol increased that sight gap, but just one bonus on zoology followed. (I got one of the ones they didn't, on which order rabbits belong to) Leading ladies in Hitchcock films also proved a troublesome set for the Cambridge side, just the one bonus accompanying again. Then controversy as Miss Chandramohan buzzed, then failed to answer, and had cut in quickly enough for it to be considered an interruption; Mr Krol took the points, and two bonuses on time zones gave them the points needed to come back whatever the result.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on triptychs, went to Corpus Christi, who took just the one bonus again, which left their lead at 170-80. Mr Royle proved his side weren't given up just yet, taking the next starter, and bonuses on polar bears (no mention of Knut, sadly) took them into triple figures. Mr Krol was first in with Wittgenstein though, and a full house just about put the game to bed.
Which left St Anne's seeking a play-off berth; Mr Jamieson added his worth to that cause by taking the next starter, but just one bonus on Indian land borders followed. Mr Royle's taking of the next starter, though, gave them sufficient points to push Imperial off the play-off board, and two accompanying bonuses within one starter and bonus of a definite return. Mr Krol was in first to identify the Joker card though, with two bonuses going with it. Final starter of the night went to Mr Krol, and there was no time for bonuses; at the gong, Corpus Christi won 225-135.
Another pretty good match tonight, well played both. Unlucky St Anne's, who gave a good account of themselves, and whose score will be the target for next week's teams; if they do miss out, hopefully it won't be by just five points. Best of luck in getting there! Very well done Corpus Christi though, a decent first performance against good opponents, and they could get a good run with a favourable second round draw (hopefully not the draw I fear they'll get); best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Krol was, by far, the night's best buzzer with NINE(!) to his name at the gong, while Mr Royle was best for St Anne's with five. On the bonuses, Corpus Christi converted a decent 21 out of 33, while St Anne's managed 12 out of 24 (with that one penalty).
Next week's match: Merton College Oxford vs King's College London, at the earlier time of 7:30, so don't miss it.
Only Connect moves into its second round on Friday, be back on Sunday with my usual summary. May also choose to post tomorrow about a few other things, see how I feel.
Corpus Christi College Cambridge was founded in 1352, and is one of the university's smaller colleges. Alumni include the playwright Marlowe, the Tory bigwigs Francis Maude and Owen Paterson and the actor Hugh Bonneville. It hasn't enjoyed as much success as its Oxford sister college, its most recent performance being an unlucky first round exit three series ago. This year's foursome were:
Tristan Roberts, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, studying Physics
Kripa Panchagnula, from Hemel Hempstead, studying Natural Sceicnes
Captain: Joseph Krol, from Bingley in West Yorkshire, studying Maths
Benedict McDougall, from London, studying Classics
St Anne's College Oxford was founded in 1879, and was a women only college until men were let in 100 years later. Alumni include writers Iris Murdoch and Helen Fielding, political has-been Danny Alexander and conductor Simon Rattle. It too hasn't had much luck in the BBC era, three times exiting in the first round, though an all-female team of alumni did well in the most recent Christmas series. This year's quartet were:
Ramani Chandramohan, from Canterbury, studying Classics and French
Cameron Royle, from Fleet in Hampshire, studying Chemistry
Captain: Kanta Dihal, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, studying Science Communication
Andrew Jamieson, from Northampton, studying Earth Sciences
Off we set again then, and Mr Royle set the ball rolling for the night with 'mortar'; the Oxford side failed to take any of the first bonus set, on rebellions, including a topical one on the Gunpowder Plot. Mr McDougall promptly identified Aristotle to get the Cambridge side off the mark, and they, in contrast, took a full bonus set on Commonwealth island nations. A second starter in a row went to the Corpus Christi right-winger, and a second full bonus set in a row came with it. Mr Royle put a stop to that, and bonuses on 'popinjays' gave St Anne's their first correct bonus. The first picture round, on former colonies and the decades they became independent nations, went to Corpus Christi, whose bonus form continued, a third full set, and a lead of 75-25.
Mr Krol took a second starter in a row, the planet Neptune his answer, but the Cambridge side finally showed some armoury chinks, as they dropped all three bonuses on works differing by one word. Kings of Belgium proved more to Corpus Christi's liking, taking two of that set. Neither side guessed the right decade on the next starter, Miss Chandramohan took the next for St Anne's, and the Oxonians showed they weren't going to take this lying down, taking a full house of their own.
The music round, on Russian classical pieces inspired by the work of Pushkin, went to St Anne's, who took just the one bonus this time, which reduced their arrears to 115-65. A third starter in a row went the Oxford side's way courtesy of Mr Royle, and two bonuses on 19th century US history put them within sight of their opponents. Mr Krol increased that sight gap, but just one bonus on zoology followed. (I got one of the ones they didn't, on which order rabbits belong to) Leading ladies in Hitchcock films also proved a troublesome set for the Cambridge side, just the one bonus accompanying again. Then controversy as Miss Chandramohan buzzed, then failed to answer, and had cut in quickly enough for it to be considered an interruption; Mr Krol took the points, and two bonuses on time zones gave them the points needed to come back whatever the result.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on triptychs, went to Corpus Christi, who took just the one bonus again, which left their lead at 170-80. Mr Royle proved his side weren't given up just yet, taking the next starter, and bonuses on polar bears (no mention of Knut, sadly) took them into triple figures. Mr Krol was first in with Wittgenstein though, and a full house just about put the game to bed.
Which left St Anne's seeking a play-off berth; Mr Jamieson added his worth to that cause by taking the next starter, but just one bonus on Indian land borders followed. Mr Royle's taking of the next starter, though, gave them sufficient points to push Imperial off the play-off board, and two accompanying bonuses within one starter and bonus of a definite return. Mr Krol was in first to identify the Joker card though, with two bonuses going with it. Final starter of the night went to Mr Krol, and there was no time for bonuses; at the gong, Corpus Christi won 225-135.
Another pretty good match tonight, well played both. Unlucky St Anne's, who gave a good account of themselves, and whose score will be the target for next week's teams; if they do miss out, hopefully it won't be by just five points. Best of luck in getting there! Very well done Corpus Christi though, a decent first performance against good opponents, and they could get a good run with a favourable second round draw (hopefully not the draw I fear they'll get); best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Krol was, by far, the night's best buzzer with NINE(!) to his name at the gong, while Mr Royle was best for St Anne's with five. On the bonuses, Corpus Christi converted a decent 21 out of 33, while St Anne's managed 12 out of 24 (with that one penalty).
Next week's match: Merton College Oxford vs King's College London, at the earlier time of 7:30, so don't miss it.
Only Connect moves into its second round on Friday, be back on Sunday with my usual summary. May also choose to post tomorrow about a few other things, see how I feel.
Sunday, 15 October 2017
Only Connect Series 13: Round 1: Match 12: Detectives vs Theatricals
So, two weeks earlier than expected, here we are at the final Only Connect first round match. The task for the two teams involved: win, or lose with a score of 22 or more; 21, and they'd have had to have done in having scored more than eight in the first two rounds to outpip the Cricketers to the final space. I feel another rant, sorry, post about tournament structure coming.
Anyway, playing on Friday were the Detectives, Ian King, Tim Harrison and captain Tim Hall, and the Theatricals, James Kinsley, Caz Slota and captain Vikki Nelson.
Round 1. The Detectives kicked the show off with Eye of Horus: 'Spectacular Spectacular', then 'Manhattan Melodies', then 'Oh Streetcar!', and finally 'Springtime for Hitler'. They identified them to be fictional musicals (within other works), and collected the first point of the night. The Theatricals opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'Newborn babies', then 'Winner of the Indy 500', then 'Alex and his droogs'; that gave it to them, they are noted for drinking milk. (The final clue would've been 'Someone who wants to play for a team better than Accrington Stanley'!) The Detectives chose 'Horn-ed' Viper next: 'Improbable', then 'Watchmaker', then 'Gene', and finally 'Delusion'. That gave it to them: they are the final words of titles of Richard Dawkins books. The Theatricals chose Two Reeds next, and got the music question: we heard Green Day's classic 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', then Eddie Grant with 'Electric Avenue'; that was enough for them to offer 'streets', and collect a rare music question three-pointer. The Detectives chose Lion next, and got the picture set: we saw George from Rainbow, then Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants, then Michaelangelo's David, and finally Prince Andrew. They saw them to be the Patron Saints of the Home Nations, and collected another point. (Incidentally, was thinking the other day that perhaps we should have a sound, such as a camera flash, to signify the picture sets, in the same way the music questions have their 'da-ding' sound) Left with Water, the Theatricals saw 'President Knox', then 'Comedian Kehinde', then 'Author Kindred', and finally 'Economist Kenneth'. They didn't get it, and their opponents didn't quite get close enough: they are the middle names of people known by their middle initial K (James K Polk, Stephen K Amos, Philip K Dick and JK Galbraith respectively). At the end of the first round, the Theatricals led 5-3.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Detectives opened with Two Reeds: 'PAT = 1 or 2', then 'S = 2', and then 'FG = 3'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: it is scoring in American football, so 'TD = 6' would come fourth. (Apparently, there has been some discussion about this question, which I sadly cannot contribute to as I do not follow the sport) The Theatricals chose Lion next: 'First Dog Watch ends', then 'BBC4 begins', then 'Monday night Premier League kick-off'; they saw it to be something to do with times, but their answer of 'EastEnders begins' wasn't acceptable . Their opponents saw it to be 6pm, 7pm and 8pm, so offered 'The Nine O'Clock News begins' for the bonus points. (On a point of pedantry, EastEnders does start at 9pm sometimes, but probably not often enough to make that an acceptable answer) For their own question, the Detectives chose Twisted Flax: 'Chair, Patron of the National Citizen Service', then 'UN Special Envoy for Global Education'; they saw it to be jobs done by PMs after leaving office (Cameron and Brown respectively), so 'Quartet's Special Middle East envoy' for Blair would be third, and 'Surrey CCC President' for Major would be acceptable for fourth and three points. The Theatricals chose Horned Viper next: 'Puerto Rico', then 'Jamaica', and then 'Hispaniola'; they saw it to be Caribbean islands getting larger, so 'Cuba' would be fourth. For their final choice, the Detectives chose Eye of Horus: 'L_____ Relating to jurisprudence', then 'D____ Sufficiently clothed', and then 'H____ Not disposed to cheat'. They offered 'T____ Disinclined to tell lies', and were correct for two points, the sequence being the 'LOHT' mantra of the Advertising Standards Authority. Left with Water, and the picture set, the Theatricals saw a calendar bearing 'December 25', then Hugh Laurie as Doctor House, and then a cup of tea being stirred. They saw it to be the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', and offered a mouse, for two points. At the end of the second round, the teams were tied on 9-each. So 21 would bring either team back win or lose.
On to the Walls. The Theatricals chose to tackle the Water wall, and isolated their first two sets in short order: 'Cochlea', 'Anvil', 'Tragus' and 'Stirrup' are parts of the ear, while 'Fast one', 'Muscle', 'Rank' and 'Pint' are things that can be pulled. They then took their time to work out the final sets, but couldn't in their three gos. So they had to go for bonus connection points: 'Stone', 'Bonspiel', 'Hog line' and 'Hammer' are terms in curling, which they didn't get, while 'British Lion', 'Eon', 'Ealing' and 'Handmade' are British film companies, which they did get. Five points there then.
So the Detectives set to work on the Lion wall knowing they had a good chance to take the lead. After spotting a link of 'easy things', they eventually isolated 'Doddle', 'Snap', 'Cakewalk' and 'Breeze'. A second set, 'Chill', 'Easy', 'Sleep' and 'Country', which can all follow 'The Big' to give a film title, followed. They then had more luck than their opponents with the final sets, solving it on their final go: 'Bank', 'Computer code', 'Railway line' and 'Menorah' are things with branches, which they got, while 'Seat', 'Cinch', 'Tree' and 'Cantle' are parts of a saddle, which they didn't. Seven points there then, which gave them a narrow lead of 16-14 going into the final round.
So Missing Vowels would decide who went through and who'd have to hope they reached 21. 'Brands preferred by Brexit voters', such as 'HP SAUCE' and 'PG TIPS', went to the Detectives 3-1. 'Brands preferred by Remain voters' (!), such as 'BBC IPLAYER' and 'SPOTIFY', also went to the Detectives 3-1. 'Things found in corners' went to the Theatricals 3-1. 'Events of 1986' only had time for one clues, which the Theatricals took. The Detectives won, 23-20.
Another excellent match, one of the best of the second round. Unlucky Theatricals, who miss out on a return by a single point, a shame considering that performance, a very decent one indeed, thanks very much indeed for playing. Very well done Detectives though, and very best of luck in the second round!
So, the Escapologists and the Cricketers (we think) will join the six second round runners-up in the play-off round.
Next week's match: the Vikings vs the Parishioners in the first second round match
Anyway, playing on Friday were the Detectives, Ian King, Tim Harrison and captain Tim Hall, and the Theatricals, James Kinsley, Caz Slota and captain Vikki Nelson.
Round 1. The Detectives kicked the show off with Eye of Horus: 'Spectacular Spectacular', then 'Manhattan Melodies', then 'Oh Streetcar!', and finally 'Springtime for Hitler'. They identified them to be fictional musicals (within other works), and collected the first point of the night. The Theatricals opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'Newborn babies', then 'Winner of the Indy 500', then 'Alex and his droogs'; that gave it to them, they are noted for drinking milk. (The final clue would've been 'Someone who wants to play for a team better than Accrington Stanley'!) The Detectives chose 'Horn-ed' Viper next: 'Improbable', then 'Watchmaker', then 'Gene', and finally 'Delusion'. That gave it to them: they are the final words of titles of Richard Dawkins books. The Theatricals chose Two Reeds next, and got the music question: we heard Green Day's classic 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', then Eddie Grant with 'Electric Avenue'; that was enough for them to offer 'streets', and collect a rare music question three-pointer. The Detectives chose Lion next, and got the picture set: we saw George from Rainbow, then Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants, then Michaelangelo's David, and finally Prince Andrew. They saw them to be the Patron Saints of the Home Nations, and collected another point. (Incidentally, was thinking the other day that perhaps we should have a sound, such as a camera flash, to signify the picture sets, in the same way the music questions have their 'da-ding' sound) Left with Water, the Theatricals saw 'President Knox', then 'Comedian Kehinde', then 'Author Kindred', and finally 'Economist Kenneth'. They didn't get it, and their opponents didn't quite get close enough: they are the middle names of people known by their middle initial K (James K Polk, Stephen K Amos, Philip K Dick and JK Galbraith respectively). At the end of the first round, the Theatricals led 5-3.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Detectives opened with Two Reeds: 'PAT = 1 or 2', then 'S = 2', and then 'FG = 3'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: it is scoring in American football, so 'TD = 6' would come fourth. (Apparently, there has been some discussion about this question, which I sadly cannot contribute to as I do not follow the sport) The Theatricals chose Lion next: 'First Dog Watch ends', then 'BBC4 begins', then 'Monday night Premier League kick-off'; they saw it to be something to do with times, but their answer of 'EastEnders begins' wasn't acceptable . Their opponents saw it to be 6pm, 7pm and 8pm, so offered 'The Nine O'Clock News begins' for the bonus points. (On a point of pedantry, EastEnders does start at 9pm sometimes, but probably not often enough to make that an acceptable answer) For their own question, the Detectives chose Twisted Flax: 'Chair, Patron of the National Citizen Service', then 'UN Special Envoy for Global Education'; they saw it to be jobs done by PMs after leaving office (Cameron and Brown respectively), so 'Quartet's Special Middle East envoy' for Blair would be third, and 'Surrey CCC President' for Major would be acceptable for fourth and three points. The Theatricals chose Horned Viper next: 'Puerto Rico', then 'Jamaica', and then 'Hispaniola'; they saw it to be Caribbean islands getting larger, so 'Cuba' would be fourth. For their final choice, the Detectives chose Eye of Horus: 'L_____ Relating to jurisprudence', then 'D____ Sufficiently clothed', and then 'H____ Not disposed to cheat'. They offered 'T____ Disinclined to tell lies', and were correct for two points, the sequence being the 'LOHT' mantra of the Advertising Standards Authority. Left with Water, and the picture set, the Theatricals saw a calendar bearing 'December 25', then Hugh Laurie as Doctor House, and then a cup of tea being stirred. They saw it to be the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', and offered a mouse, for two points. At the end of the second round, the teams were tied on 9-each. So 21 would bring either team back win or lose.
On to the Walls. The Theatricals chose to tackle the Water wall, and isolated their first two sets in short order: 'Cochlea', 'Anvil', 'Tragus' and 'Stirrup' are parts of the ear, while 'Fast one', 'Muscle', 'Rank' and 'Pint' are things that can be pulled. They then took their time to work out the final sets, but couldn't in their three gos. So they had to go for bonus connection points: 'Stone', 'Bonspiel', 'Hog line' and 'Hammer' are terms in curling, which they didn't get, while 'British Lion', 'Eon', 'Ealing' and 'Handmade' are British film companies, which they did get. Five points there then.
So the Detectives set to work on the Lion wall knowing they had a good chance to take the lead. After spotting a link of 'easy things', they eventually isolated 'Doddle', 'Snap', 'Cakewalk' and 'Breeze'. A second set, 'Chill', 'Easy', 'Sleep' and 'Country', which can all follow 'The Big' to give a film title, followed. They then had more luck than their opponents with the final sets, solving it on their final go: 'Bank', 'Computer code', 'Railway line' and 'Menorah' are things with branches, which they got, while 'Seat', 'Cinch', 'Tree' and 'Cantle' are parts of a saddle, which they didn't. Seven points there then, which gave them a narrow lead of 16-14 going into the final round.
So Missing Vowels would decide who went through and who'd have to hope they reached 21. 'Brands preferred by Brexit voters', such as 'HP SAUCE' and 'PG TIPS', went to the Detectives 3-1. 'Brands preferred by Remain voters' (!), such as 'BBC IPLAYER' and 'SPOTIFY', also went to the Detectives 3-1. 'Things found in corners' went to the Theatricals 3-1. 'Events of 1986' only had time for one clues, which the Theatricals took. The Detectives won, 23-20.
Another excellent match, one of the best of the second round. Unlucky Theatricals, who miss out on a return by a single point, a shame considering that performance, a very decent one indeed, thanks very much indeed for playing. Very well done Detectives though, and very best of luck in the second round!
So, the Escapologists and the Cricketers (we think) will join the six second round runners-up in the play-off round.
Next week's match: the Vikings vs the Parishioners in the first second round match
Monday, 9 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: Round 1: Match 12: St Andrews vs St John's
Evening all. Might be a bit disjointed this evening, receiving text updates from my Dad on events in Cardiff. We're at the business end of the tournament now, with Ulster now safely through to the play-offs. The job for tonight's two teams fairly simple: win, or lose with a score of 155 or more to make the play-offs. A rematch tonight from a play-off from 2010-11 (my first full series after starting watching properly).
St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland, and the third oldest in the UK, founded in the 1410s in what is otherwise a rather small town. Alumni include mathematician John Napier, Prince Wills and Princess Kate, and some chap called Alex Salmond, whoever he was. It won the series in 1982; last year's team went out in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Euan Grant, from Edinburgh, studying Divinity
Christina Fell, from Coventry, studying Statistics
Captain: George Davies, from Houston, Texas, studying Ancient History and Archaeology
Matthew Leighton, from Hereford, studying History
St John's College Cambridge was founded in 1511 by the estate of Lady Margaret Beaufort, who also founded Christ's College Cambridge. Alumni include the poet Wordsworth, the physicist Paul Dirac and the actor Derek Jacobi. It last sent a team four years ago, who lost in the first round, it's best Paxo-era performance being the semi-finals in 2008-09, losing to Trimble's Corpus Christi. This year's quartet were:
John-Clark Levin, from Los Angeles, studying Politics and International Studies
Rosie McKeown, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying French and German
Captain: James Devine-Stoneman, from Southall in London, studying Superconducting Spintronics
Matt Hazell, from Ringwood in Hampshire, studying Veterinary Medicine
Off we set again then, and Mr Devine-Stoneman very quickly opened the night's scoring by identifying George as the first name of the prime minister who died after just four months in office; his side took a full set of bonuses to start the show. A second starter went the way of St John's, and while I nipped to the bathroom for a Strepsil, they took two bonuses on Islamic art. Mr Davies now opened St Andrews' account, but they got nothing from their first bonuses. A second set, on women buried in Pere Lachaise proved more to their liking, taking two. The first picture round, on maps of empires, went to St Andrews, who took two bonuses, and, with them, the lead, 50-45.
Several players went for their buzzers when 'Amstrad' was mentioned for the next starter; Mr Hazell was first in with Sir Alan Sugar, and St John's had the lead back; they took a full bonus set to boot. A second starter in a row went the Cambridge side's way, but they finally showed a chink of armour as they missed all the bonuses. A slip-up then gave St Andrews a route back into the match, but they could only take one of the resulting bonuses. Miss McKeown recouped the lost points for St John's, and they two bonuses on electricity, unluckily missing the third after giving an answer which, I'm informed, is also a valid answer to the question in question.
The music starter saw Miss McKeown, and myself, identify Mendelssohn; the bonuses, on symphonies in A-major, gave St John's two right answers and, with them, a lead of 115-65. In came Mr Devine-Stoneman with the next starter, and bonuses on film adaptations of Shakespeare provided them with two correct answers. Mr Levin took the next starter, on his native US, and the result bonuses gave them enough points to came back win or lose. Paxo didn't quite believe how quickly Mr Hazell got the next starter; to be honest, I don't think he did either! St John's now had a 100 point lead, and bonuses on natives of Herefordshire gave them two more to add to their collection, as did full names of picture file abbreviations for their next set.
The second picture round, on multiple Pulitzer prize winners, went to St John's, who got nothing from the bonuses this time, which left their lead at 205-65. With the match pretty much over a contest, St Andrews were now playing for a play-off place; Miss Fell set them on their way by finally breaking them back into the match, and bonuses on biblical figures gave them two correct answers. A second starter in a row went to the Scots side, and one bonus was enough to put them into triple figures and within sight of the play-offs.
Back came St John's though, with Mr Devine-Stoneman doing the honours; an excellent set of bonuses on Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' gave them another full house. Mr Leighton gave St Andrews more hope by taking the next correct starter, and two bonuses on author's pseudonyms put them one starter away from a play-off place. Alas, that starter never came, as St John's took the remaining correct starters, plus one of the bonuses there time for. At the gong, St John's won 255-120.
A pretty decent match, finally the series picking up after the slow-ish start. Unlucky St Andrews, a decent team, who I suspect would've beaten another team and who have fallen just short of the play-offs, but a fair effort, so thanks for playing. Very well done st St John's though on an excellent first performance against decent opponents, could be a team to watch methinks; best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Devine-Stoneman was the best buzzer of the night, with five to his name, while Mr Davies was best for St Andrews with three. On the bonuses, St Andrews converted 10 out of 21, while St John's managed a very decent 24 out of 39 (with the night's one penalty), and for the first time this series, all eight players got at least one starter right.
Safely through to the repechage: Ulster (160) and St Hugh's (155)
Next week's match: Corpus Christi College Cambridge vs St Anne's College Oxford
Back with the final Only Connect first round match on Monday; I'm off now to follow the dramatic events elsewhere in Cardiff.
St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland, and the third oldest in the UK, founded in the 1410s in what is otherwise a rather small town. Alumni include mathematician John Napier, Prince Wills and Princess Kate, and some chap called Alex Salmond, whoever he was. It won the series in 1982; last year's team went out in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Euan Grant, from Edinburgh, studying Divinity
Christina Fell, from Coventry, studying Statistics
Captain: George Davies, from Houston, Texas, studying Ancient History and Archaeology
Matthew Leighton, from Hereford, studying History
St John's College Cambridge was founded in 1511 by the estate of Lady Margaret Beaufort, who also founded Christ's College Cambridge. Alumni include the poet Wordsworth, the physicist Paul Dirac and the actor Derek Jacobi. It last sent a team four years ago, who lost in the first round, it's best Paxo-era performance being the semi-finals in 2008-09, losing to Trimble's Corpus Christi. This year's quartet were:
John-Clark Levin, from Los Angeles, studying Politics and International Studies
Rosie McKeown, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying French and German
Captain: James Devine-Stoneman, from Southall in London, studying Superconducting Spintronics
Matt Hazell, from Ringwood in Hampshire, studying Veterinary Medicine
Off we set again then, and Mr Devine-Stoneman very quickly opened the night's scoring by identifying George as the first name of the prime minister who died after just four months in office; his side took a full set of bonuses to start the show. A second starter went the way of St John's, and while I nipped to the bathroom for a Strepsil, they took two bonuses on Islamic art. Mr Davies now opened St Andrews' account, but they got nothing from their first bonuses. A second set, on women buried in Pere Lachaise proved more to their liking, taking two. The first picture round, on maps of empires, went to St Andrews, who took two bonuses, and, with them, the lead, 50-45.
Several players went for their buzzers when 'Amstrad' was mentioned for the next starter; Mr Hazell was first in with Sir Alan Sugar, and St John's had the lead back; they took a full bonus set to boot. A second starter in a row went the Cambridge side's way, but they finally showed a chink of armour as they missed all the bonuses. A slip-up then gave St Andrews a route back into the match, but they could only take one of the resulting bonuses. Miss McKeown recouped the lost points for St John's, and they two bonuses on electricity, unluckily missing the third after giving an answer which, I'm informed, is also a valid answer to the question in question.
The music starter saw Miss McKeown, and myself, identify Mendelssohn; the bonuses, on symphonies in A-major, gave St John's two right answers and, with them, a lead of 115-65. In came Mr Devine-Stoneman with the next starter, and bonuses on film adaptations of Shakespeare provided them with two correct answers. Mr Levin took the next starter, on his native US, and the result bonuses gave them enough points to came back win or lose. Paxo didn't quite believe how quickly Mr Hazell got the next starter; to be honest, I don't think he did either! St John's now had a 100 point lead, and bonuses on natives of Herefordshire gave them two more to add to their collection, as did full names of picture file abbreviations for their next set.
The second picture round, on multiple Pulitzer prize winners, went to St John's, who got nothing from the bonuses this time, which left their lead at 205-65. With the match pretty much over a contest, St Andrews were now playing for a play-off place; Miss Fell set them on their way by finally breaking them back into the match, and bonuses on biblical figures gave them two correct answers. A second starter in a row went to the Scots side, and one bonus was enough to put them into triple figures and within sight of the play-offs.
Back came St John's though, with Mr Devine-Stoneman doing the honours; an excellent set of bonuses on Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' gave them another full house. Mr Leighton gave St Andrews more hope by taking the next correct starter, and two bonuses on author's pseudonyms put them one starter away from a play-off place. Alas, that starter never came, as St John's took the remaining correct starters, plus one of the bonuses there time for. At the gong, St John's won 255-120.
A pretty decent match, finally the series picking up after the slow-ish start. Unlucky St Andrews, a decent team, who I suspect would've beaten another team and who have fallen just short of the play-offs, but a fair effort, so thanks for playing. Very well done st St John's though on an excellent first performance against decent opponents, could be a team to watch methinks; best of luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Devine-Stoneman was the best buzzer of the night, with five to his name, while Mr Davies was best for St Andrews with three. On the bonuses, St Andrews converted 10 out of 21, while St John's managed a very decent 24 out of 39 (with the night's one penalty), and for the first time this series, all eight players got at least one starter right.
Safely through to the repechage: Ulster (160) and St Hugh's (155)
Next week's match: Corpus Christi College Cambridge vs St Anne's College Oxford
Back with the final Only Connect first round match on Monday; I'm off now to follow the dramatic events elsewhere in Cardiff.
Sunday, 8 October 2017
Only Connect Series 13: Round 1: Match 11: Arrowheads vs Wombles
OK, time to try and take my mind off Scotland once again faltering when it matters most (not too fussed, would've lost in the play-offs anyway, will easily make Euro 2020 if we right the wrongs of this campaign) by looking back on Friday's Only Connect, and the penultimate first round match.
Playing were the Arrowheads, Sarah Lister, Hannah Hogben and captain Nick Lister, husband of Sarah, and the Wombles, Mike Arrowsmith, Duncan Palmer and captain Charlie Talbot.
Round 1. The Arrowheads kicked the show off with Lion: 'Black Needles', then 'Saint-Cyr', then 'West Point', and finally 'Sandhurst'. They identified them as military academies, and collected the first point of the night. The Wombles opened their account with Two Reeds, and the picture set: we saw Britannia, then Buzz Lightyear, then the board game Go, and finally the formula for calculating your BMI. They ran out of time to answer, so over to their opponents for a bonus: they are now defunct British airlines. (Accidentally topical that one!) For their own question, the Arrowheads chose Eye of Horus, and got the music set: we heard 'The American Dream' from Miss Saigon, then Gershwin's classic 'An American in Paris', then the theme of the film 'American Beauty', and finally the late Tom Petty with 'American Girl'. They spotted the link, and collected another point. The Wombles chose Twisted Flax next: 'Ishmael', then 'Piscine Patel', then 'Lemuel Gulliver'; they identified them as survivors of shipwrecks, and collected their first points of the game. The Arrowheads chose Water next: 'Asa: singer', then 'Alfredo: actor', then 'Albert: politician and environmentalist', and finally 'Alphonse: gangster'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are the real first names of famous men called Al (Jolson, Pacino, Gore and Capone respectively). Left with Horned Viper, the Wombles saw 'Western lowland gorilla', then 'Until her father withdraws the T-bird', then 'Tony Blair's "top priorities"' (that gave it to me), and finally 'Allsopp and Spencer's TV show'. That gave it to them: they are the same word repeated three times. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied at 3-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Arrowheads opened the round with Two Reeds: '()', then the pi symbol and '^'; they identified them as the symbols of the BODMAS order of operations, so '+' would come fourth. The Wombles chose Lion next: 'Jane Seymour', then 'Catherine of Aragon', and then 'Anne Boleyn'. They didn't get it, their opponents (and I) did: they are the mothers of successive monarchs, so 'Mary Queen of Scots' would be fourth. For their own question, the Arrowheads chose 'Horn-ed' Viper: 'Leeds United (1969)', then 'Derby County (1972)', and then 'Nottingham Forest (1978)'. My Dad and I got this, but neither team did: they are the last four first teams to win the English top division for the first time, so 'Leicester City (2016)' would, of course, be fourth. The Wombles chose Water next: 'D: Ford', then 'C: Dartmoor'; they offered 'A: Parkhurst', which was not correct. Their opponents saw 'B: Wormwood Scrubs', but couldn't get it either. They are categories of prisoner and where they would go, so 'High Security: Belmarsh' would be fourth. For their final choice, the Arrowheads chose Twisted Flax: 'Complete with regard to every detail', then '-3rd In one side and out the other', and then '-2nd Animal's feeding vessel'. They saw the sequence to the 'THOROUGH', 'THROUGH', and 'TROUGH', so '-1st Not Smooth', ie 'ROUGH' would complete the sequence. Left with Eye of Horus, and the picture set, the Wombles saw the cast of Friends, then some Roman soldiers; they saw it to be 'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!', so offered something to represent 'Lend me your ears!' for the three points! At the end of the second round, the Arrowheads led 9-6.
On to the Walls. The Wombles went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. They spotted some links, and after some failed goes, isolated 'Pig', 'Tyre', 'Waffle' and 'Curling', which can all precede 'Iron'. There followed a second set: 'Latka', 'Rumble-de-thumps', 'Pitepalt' and 'Chip', which are potato dishes, though they didn't recognise that. With not much time left, they tried to work the others out, but couldn't in their three attempts, and thus had to settle for bonuses: 'Draw', 'Drive', 'Hook' and 'Fade' are types of golf shot, which they got, while 'The Big Short', 'Half Nelson', 'Fracture' and 'La La Land' are films starring Ryan Gosling, which they also got. Five points there.
The Arrowheads thus had room for error as they set to work on the Lion wall. After spotting some links, they too had trouble isolating, eventually slotting in 'Kayak', 'Punt', 'Coracle' and 'Pirogue', which are types of boat, followed by 'Bet', 'Ante', 'Flutter' and 'Wager', which are terms used in gambling. They couldn't fit the final clues in, and thus too had to settle for bonus points: 'Germs', 'Rumours', 'Butter' and 'Wings' are things that can be spread, which they saw, while 'Say You Will', 'Tusk', 'Mirage' and 'Penguin' are albums by Fleetwood Mac, which they also got. Six points there, which increased their lead to 15-11 going into the final round.
So, still all to play for with Missing Vowels. 'Things that can be cracked' went to the Wombles 3-1. 'Titles of Dickens novels with the word order changed', such as 'TIMES HARD', went to the Arrowheads 3-(-1). 'Things that are real', such as 'REAL ESTATE', was split 2-each. 'Test' only had time for one clue, which the Arrowheads took. At the end of the show, the Arrowheads won 22-15.
Another good show with some good quizzing. Unlucky Wombles, but nothing to be ashamed of there, thanks very much indeed for taking part. Well done Arrowheads, and best of luck in the second round!
Next week's match: Detectives vs Theatricals
Playing were the Arrowheads, Sarah Lister, Hannah Hogben and captain Nick Lister, husband of Sarah, and the Wombles, Mike Arrowsmith, Duncan Palmer and captain Charlie Talbot.
Round 1. The Arrowheads kicked the show off with Lion: 'Black Needles', then 'Saint-Cyr', then 'West Point', and finally 'Sandhurst'. They identified them as military academies, and collected the first point of the night. The Wombles opened their account with Two Reeds, and the picture set: we saw Britannia, then Buzz Lightyear, then the board game Go, and finally the formula for calculating your BMI. They ran out of time to answer, so over to their opponents for a bonus: they are now defunct British airlines. (Accidentally topical that one!) For their own question, the Arrowheads chose Eye of Horus, and got the music set: we heard 'The American Dream' from Miss Saigon, then Gershwin's classic 'An American in Paris', then the theme of the film 'American Beauty', and finally the late Tom Petty with 'American Girl'. They spotted the link, and collected another point. The Wombles chose Twisted Flax next: 'Ishmael', then 'Piscine Patel', then 'Lemuel Gulliver'; they identified them as survivors of shipwrecks, and collected their first points of the game. The Arrowheads chose Water next: 'Asa: singer', then 'Alfredo: actor', then 'Albert: politician and environmentalist', and finally 'Alphonse: gangster'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are the real first names of famous men called Al (Jolson, Pacino, Gore and Capone respectively). Left with Horned Viper, the Wombles saw 'Western lowland gorilla', then 'Until her father withdraws the T-bird', then 'Tony Blair's "top priorities"' (that gave it to me), and finally 'Allsopp and Spencer's TV show'. That gave it to them: they are the same word repeated three times. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied at 3-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Arrowheads opened the round with Two Reeds: '()', then the pi symbol and '^'; they identified them as the symbols of the BODMAS order of operations, so '+' would come fourth. The Wombles chose Lion next: 'Jane Seymour', then 'Catherine of Aragon', and then 'Anne Boleyn'. They didn't get it, their opponents (and I) did: they are the mothers of successive monarchs, so 'Mary Queen of Scots' would be fourth. For their own question, the Arrowheads chose 'Horn-ed' Viper: 'Leeds United (1969)', then 'Derby County (1972)', and then 'Nottingham Forest (1978)'. My Dad and I got this, but neither team did: they are the last four first teams to win the English top division for the first time, so 'Leicester City (2016)' would, of course, be fourth. The Wombles chose Water next: 'D: Ford', then 'C: Dartmoor'; they offered 'A: Parkhurst', which was not correct. Their opponents saw 'B: Wormwood Scrubs', but couldn't get it either. They are categories of prisoner and where they would go, so 'High Security: Belmarsh' would be fourth. For their final choice, the Arrowheads chose Twisted Flax: 'Complete with regard to every detail', then '-3rd In one side and out the other', and then '-2nd Animal's feeding vessel'. They saw the sequence to the 'THOROUGH', 'THROUGH', and 'TROUGH', so '-1st Not Smooth', ie 'ROUGH' would complete the sequence. Left with Eye of Horus, and the picture set, the Wombles saw the cast of Friends, then some Roman soldiers; they saw it to be 'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!', so offered something to represent 'Lend me your ears!' for the three points! At the end of the second round, the Arrowheads led 9-6.
On to the Walls. The Wombles went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. They spotted some links, and after some failed goes, isolated 'Pig', 'Tyre', 'Waffle' and 'Curling', which can all precede 'Iron'. There followed a second set: 'Latka', 'Rumble-de-thumps', 'Pitepalt' and 'Chip', which are potato dishes, though they didn't recognise that. With not much time left, they tried to work the others out, but couldn't in their three attempts, and thus had to settle for bonuses: 'Draw', 'Drive', 'Hook' and 'Fade' are types of golf shot, which they got, while 'The Big Short', 'Half Nelson', 'Fracture' and 'La La Land' are films starring Ryan Gosling, which they also got. Five points there.
The Arrowheads thus had room for error as they set to work on the Lion wall. After spotting some links, they too had trouble isolating, eventually slotting in 'Kayak', 'Punt', 'Coracle' and 'Pirogue', which are types of boat, followed by 'Bet', 'Ante', 'Flutter' and 'Wager', which are terms used in gambling. They couldn't fit the final clues in, and thus too had to settle for bonus points: 'Germs', 'Rumours', 'Butter' and 'Wings' are things that can be spread, which they saw, while 'Say You Will', 'Tusk', 'Mirage' and 'Penguin' are albums by Fleetwood Mac, which they also got. Six points there, which increased their lead to 15-11 going into the final round.
So, still all to play for with Missing Vowels. 'Things that can be cracked' went to the Wombles 3-1. 'Titles of Dickens novels with the word order changed', such as 'TIMES HARD', went to the Arrowheads 3-(-1). 'Things that are real', such as 'REAL ESTATE', was split 2-each. 'Test' only had time for one clue, which the Arrowheads took. At the end of the show, the Arrowheads won 22-15.
Another good show with some good quizzing. Unlucky Wombles, but nothing to be ashamed of there, thanks very much indeed for taking part. Well done Arrowheads, and best of luck in the second round!
Next week's match: Detectives vs Theatricals
Monday, 2 October 2017
University Challenge 2017-18: Round 1: Match 11: Emmanuel vs St Hugh's
Evening all. You join me on a Monday where I've been feeling a bit perkier than in recent weeks. Having been once again considering the show's prospects and swotting up on back editions, one of which proved handy in answering a question tonight(!), I was in the mood for a good match tonight! And I'm pleased to report we got one!
Emmanuel College Cambridge is one of the wealthier of the university, founded in 1584; alumni include university founder John Harvard, writer Sebastian Faulks and humourists Griff Rhys Jones and Rory McGrath. It won UC in 2009-10, and reached the semis last year; members of both those teams, including UC legends Alex Guttenplan and Bobby Seagull, recently appeared on Eggheads and gave a good account of themselves. This year's foursome were:
Ed Derby, from Manchester, studying Physics
Kitty Chevallier, from Hampshire, studying Arabic and Hindi
Captain: Alex Mistlin, from Islington, studying Politics and International Relations
James Fraser, from Bristol, studying Medicine
St Hugh's College Oxford, founded in 1886, was formerly a women only college, with men being allowed in in 1987. Alumni include Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, comedy actress Rebecca Front, and a certain Mrs T. May. It last appeared in 2009-10, exiting in the second round after a heavy defeat to Imperial, who were later beaten by Alex Guttenplan's Emmanuel. This year's quartet were:
Kazi Elias, from Cambridge, studying History
Euan Grainger, from Shrewsbury, studying Biological Sciences
Captain: Daniel de Wijze, from Manchester, studying Earth Sciences
Aidan Mehigan, from Washington DC, studying Art History
Off we set again then, and a slip up from St Hugh's (who's being all male was not well received by many a Twitterer!) handed Emmanuel the first starter of the night; the Cambridge side took two bonuses on the films of Quentin Tarantino. The Oxonians recovered their lost points, and took two bonuses of their own on European geography. They then took the lead on the next starter, and a full bonus set meant they now doubled their opponents' total. Mr Mehigan took what would be the first of many starters of the night, though just the one bonus followed this time. The first picture round, on sheet music of famous compositions, went to Emmanuel, who took two bonuses, which reduced their arrears to 55-40.
Mr Derby put Emmanuel back within five, but they couldn't take any bonuses to retake the lead. Another starter did the trick, but an amusing bonus set on rhymes about English history proved no more fruitful. Zoology proved more to their liking, two correct bonuses accompanying a third starter in a row. A prompt buzz from Mr Mehigan finally broke St Hugh's back into the match, but the work of Dennis Potter wasn't to their liking, no bonuses accompanying again.
The music starter was dropped, the bonuses, on pieces dedicated to other composers, went to Emmanuel, who took all three, increasing their lead to 105-65. It increased again when Mr Mehigan was unlucky to be penalised for cutting in just as the question was finishing; Mr Fraser did the honours, and a second full bonus set in a row followed. Mr Mehigan then made up for his unfortunate slip, and two bonuses on lunar expeditions came with it. Mr Fraser was quick for Emmanuel again though, and an amusing bonus set on henpecked husbands provided them with one correct answer. (Another of them I knew thanks to an old match I revisited over the weekend!)
The second picture round, on paintings depicting Westminster Bridge, went to St Hugh's, who took a full house, which cut the gap to 145-105. Back came Mr Fraser to increase it again though, and two bonuses meant they'd surely have enough to come back win or lose. St Hugh's weren't finished yet though; Mr Mehigan took the next starter, and bonuses on the Bible gave them two correct answers, which they were gonna need to catch up.
And when Mr Mehigan took a second starter in a row, they were well back in the hunt; dropping all the bonuses on local government didn't help their cause though. Mr Grainger taking the next starter did though, two bonuses, and they were just ten behind with not much time left! To add to the jeopardy, Emmanuel dropped five, halving the deficit! St Hugh's couldn't capitalise though. Next starter might surely win it, but neither team got it! Nor the next! Finally, Mr Fraser broke the deadlock by taking the next starter; no bonuses followed, but they might just have done enough. Indeed, the gong went during the next starter; Emmanuel had snuck home 170-155!
An excellent close match, well played both teams. Unlucky St Hugh's, who nearly snatched it right at the end, but have surely done enough to return in the play-offs, so best of luck then hopefully! Well done Emmanuel though, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Messrs Fraser and Meighan were joint best buzzers of the night, with six each for their respective teams. On the bonuses, Emmanuel converted 15 out of 30 (with one penalty), while St Hugh's managed 15 out of 27 (with two penalties), so it really was one starter that decided the match!
Next week's match: St Andrews vs St John's College Cambridge, in a rematch of a play-off from 2010-11
Only Connect back on Friday, with the penultimate first round match, now we know exactly what's going on there; thanks again to Phyl Styles for filling us in.
Emmanuel College Cambridge is one of the wealthier of the university, founded in 1584; alumni include university founder John Harvard, writer Sebastian Faulks and humourists Griff Rhys Jones and Rory McGrath. It won UC in 2009-10, and reached the semis last year; members of both those teams, including UC legends Alex Guttenplan and Bobby Seagull, recently appeared on Eggheads and gave a good account of themselves. This year's foursome were:
Ed Derby, from Manchester, studying Physics
Kitty Chevallier, from Hampshire, studying Arabic and Hindi
Captain: Alex Mistlin, from Islington, studying Politics and International Relations
James Fraser, from Bristol, studying Medicine
St Hugh's College Oxford, founded in 1886, was formerly a women only college, with men being allowed in in 1987. Alumni include Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, comedy actress Rebecca Front, and a certain Mrs T. May. It last appeared in 2009-10, exiting in the second round after a heavy defeat to Imperial, who were later beaten by Alex Guttenplan's Emmanuel. This year's quartet were:
Kazi Elias, from Cambridge, studying History
Euan Grainger, from Shrewsbury, studying Biological Sciences
Captain: Daniel de Wijze, from Manchester, studying Earth Sciences
Aidan Mehigan, from Washington DC, studying Art History
Off we set again then, and a slip up from St Hugh's (who's being all male was not well received by many a Twitterer!) handed Emmanuel the first starter of the night; the Cambridge side took two bonuses on the films of Quentin Tarantino. The Oxonians recovered their lost points, and took two bonuses of their own on European geography. They then took the lead on the next starter, and a full bonus set meant they now doubled their opponents' total. Mr Mehigan took what would be the first of many starters of the night, though just the one bonus followed this time. The first picture round, on sheet music of famous compositions, went to Emmanuel, who took two bonuses, which reduced their arrears to 55-40.
Mr Derby put Emmanuel back within five, but they couldn't take any bonuses to retake the lead. Another starter did the trick, but an amusing bonus set on rhymes about English history proved no more fruitful. Zoology proved more to their liking, two correct bonuses accompanying a third starter in a row. A prompt buzz from Mr Mehigan finally broke St Hugh's back into the match, but the work of Dennis Potter wasn't to their liking, no bonuses accompanying again.
The music starter was dropped, the bonuses, on pieces dedicated to other composers, went to Emmanuel, who took all three, increasing their lead to 105-65. It increased again when Mr Mehigan was unlucky to be penalised for cutting in just as the question was finishing; Mr Fraser did the honours, and a second full bonus set in a row followed. Mr Mehigan then made up for his unfortunate slip, and two bonuses on lunar expeditions came with it. Mr Fraser was quick for Emmanuel again though, and an amusing bonus set on henpecked husbands provided them with one correct answer. (Another of them I knew thanks to an old match I revisited over the weekend!)
The second picture round, on paintings depicting Westminster Bridge, went to St Hugh's, who took a full house, which cut the gap to 145-105. Back came Mr Fraser to increase it again though, and two bonuses meant they'd surely have enough to come back win or lose. St Hugh's weren't finished yet though; Mr Mehigan took the next starter, and bonuses on the Bible gave them two correct answers, which they were gonna need to catch up.
And when Mr Mehigan took a second starter in a row, they were well back in the hunt; dropping all the bonuses on local government didn't help their cause though. Mr Grainger taking the next starter did though, two bonuses, and they were just ten behind with not much time left! To add to the jeopardy, Emmanuel dropped five, halving the deficit! St Hugh's couldn't capitalise though. Next starter might surely win it, but neither team got it! Nor the next! Finally, Mr Fraser broke the deadlock by taking the next starter; no bonuses followed, but they might just have done enough. Indeed, the gong went during the next starter; Emmanuel had snuck home 170-155!
An excellent close match, well played both teams. Unlucky St Hugh's, who nearly snatched it right at the end, but have surely done enough to return in the play-offs, so best of luck then hopefully! Well done Emmanuel though, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Messrs Fraser and Meighan were joint best buzzers of the night, with six each for their respective teams. On the bonuses, Emmanuel converted 15 out of 30 (with one penalty), while St Hugh's managed 15 out of 27 (with two penalties), so it really was one starter that decided the match!
Next week's match: St Andrews vs St John's College Cambridge, in a rematch of a play-off from 2010-11
Only Connect back on Friday, with the penultimate first round match, now we know exactly what's going on there; thanks again to Phyl Styles for filling us in.
Sunday, 1 October 2017
Only Connect Series 13: Round 1: Match 10: Dandies vs Gaffers
OK, big thanks to Phyl Styles for clearing up exactly what's going on here. Basically, we have 24 teams, with the twelve winners progressing to the second round, and the winners going onto the group stage. The second round runners-up will then go into a play-off round alongside the two highest scoring first round runners-up, which will eventually produce two teams who will join the second round winners in the group stage. Sure it will become clearer once it gets to screen; will go back and adjust my earlier blog titles later.
Anyway, playing on Friday night we had the Dandies, Oscar Powell, Lewis Barn and captain Jack Bennett, and the Gaffers, Graeme Kerr, Owen Davies and captain Alan Oliver. Fellow Quizzy Monday viewers will remember Messrs Bennett and Powell from last year's UC, where they reached the semi-finals and won it respectively; blog reader Jack Bennett has also appeared on Mastermind and Fifteen-to-One 2.0 since.
Round 1. The Dandies kicked the match off with Lion: they saw 'Baskin Robbins: 31', and immediately offered 'the number of varieties". Good punt, but not correct. Their opponents saw 'Le Tour de France: Cyclist', 'Toblerone: Bear' and 'Fedex: Arrow', but couldn't pick up a bonus: they are hidden items in the logos of those companies. The Gaffers opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'Blind enthusiastic acceptance of an idea', then 'Someone vaporized and erased from existance', then 'Loyal willingness to believe contradictory statements', and finally 'Thinking against the Party'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are definitions of Newspeak words from Orwell's 1984. For their own question, the Dandies chose Water: 'Royalist Commander, 1st Battle of Newbury', then 'Long-time editor of 'Oz' magazine', then 'Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker', and finally 'Singer in boyband 5ive'; they identified them as men called Richard Neville, and collected a point. The Gaffers chose 'Horn-ed' Viper next, and got the picture set: we saw a map with Alderney highlighted, then one of New Zealand with Wellington, then the UK with the island of Tobermory highlighted, and finally the Orinoco river highlighted. My parents saw this, but neither of the teams did: they are the names of Wombles! The Dandies chose Eye of Horus next, and got the music set: we heard 'Joey' by Bob Dylan, then Charlotte Church with 'Crazy Chick', then Little Jimmy Osmond singing 'Puppy Love', and finally 'The Ugly Ducking'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they have baby animals in their titles. Left with Two Reeds for their own question, the Gaffers saw 'Centenary: Scotland', then 'Giuseppe Garibaldi: France', then 'Millennium: Ireland', and finally 'Calcutta: England'; they saw them to be the then current holders of the Six Nations trophies, and collected a point. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied at 2-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Dandies kicked the round off with Twisted Flax: 'Display of an aircraft's airspeed', then 'Responsible for the Kitemark', and then 'Gil Grissom's team'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are ASI, BSI and CSI respectively, so something for DSI, such as 'Detective Superintendent', would do. For their own question, the Gaffers chose Lion: 'Factory', then 'Italian', and then 'Automobiles'; they saw it to be what FIAT stands for translated into English, but didn't know what the T stood for. Their opponents did, offering 'Turin' for the bonus. For their own question, the Dandies chose 'Horn-ed' Viper: 'James Callaghan (1976)', then 'John Major (1990)'; they had it the same time as I did, though not for the right reason, 'Theresa May (2016)' completes the set, the correct sequence being PMs who took office without winning an election ('Gordon Brown (2007)' would be third) The Gaffers chose Two Reeds next, and got the picture set: we saw cricketer Brian Lara, then Annabel Croft the tennis player, and then the tomb of the unknown soldier. They didn't quite see it, the opponents did: 'Lara', 'Croft', 'Tomb', so something for 'Raider', such as a player for the Oakland Raiders, would be fourth. For their own final choice, the Dandies chose Water: 'Queen Anne dies', then 'Napoleon exiled to Elba'; they saw them to be events of 1714 and 1814, so something to 1914, like 'Outbreak of First World War', would be third, and, for the points, something that happened in 2014, such as 'Scottish independence referendum', would complete the set. Left with Eye of Horus, the Gaffers saw 'Blood (1)', then 'Banana (2)', and then 'Grass (3)'. They didn't quite get it, nor did their opponents: they are things usually coloured in the colours of snooker balls, so 'Live wire (4)' would be correct. (Both teams suggestions of 'Rock' and 'Sand' could've been satisfactory, had they been able to give the connection too) At the end of the second round, the Dandies led 10-3.
On to the Walls. The Gaffers took their turn to go first, and chose the Lion wall. They spotted some links, but struggled to find sets; eventually, they isolated 'Seal', 'Area', 'Matter' and 'Goo', which can all follow 'Grey'. They could come up with nothing else though, so had to settle for bonus points: 'Lot', 'Paris', 'Cher' and 'Calvados' are French departments, which they didn't get, 'Usher', 'Sia', 'Brandy' and 'Drake' are singers known by one name, which they did get, while 'Cob', 'Tiercel', 'Tom' and 'Gander' are male birds, which they also got. Four points there then.
The Dandies thus could put the match pretty much out of reach if they could get a decent result from the Water wall. After studying the clues, they quickly isolated two sets: 'Riddle', 'Enigma', 'Conundrum' and 'Mystery' are things that can be solved, while 'Breed', 'Stock', 'Pedigree' and 'Strain' are examples of lineage. After looking over what was left, they faulted once, then solved it on their second go: 'Jacket', 'Nut', 'Puzzle' and 'Business' can all follow 'Monkey', while 'Twist', 'Wrench', 'Tear' and 'Sprain' are types of injury. So a full ten there, which gave them a lead of 20-7 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish off with, with the Dandies realistically needing to just stand their ground to win. 'Names of phrases that include golf clubs', such as 'POTATO WEDGES', was split 1-each. 'Things a teacher might say' went to the Dandies 2-1. 'Newspapers that specialise in business' went to the Dandies 2-0, and that was time. The Dandies won 25-9.
Another excellent display of quizzing. Unlucky Gaffers, who were simply outplayed, but no shame in that on a show of this calibre, and thanks very much for taking part. Well done Dandies though, and best of luck in the next round!
Next week's match: Arrowheads vs Wombles
Anyway, playing on Friday night we had the Dandies, Oscar Powell, Lewis Barn and captain Jack Bennett, and the Gaffers, Graeme Kerr, Owen Davies and captain Alan Oliver. Fellow Quizzy Monday viewers will remember Messrs Bennett and Powell from last year's UC, where they reached the semi-finals and won it respectively; blog reader Jack Bennett has also appeared on Mastermind and Fifteen-to-One 2.0 since.
Round 1. The Dandies kicked the match off with Lion: they saw 'Baskin Robbins: 31', and immediately offered 'the number of varieties". Good punt, but not correct. Their opponents saw 'Le Tour de France: Cyclist', 'Toblerone: Bear' and 'Fedex: Arrow', but couldn't pick up a bonus: they are hidden items in the logos of those companies. The Gaffers opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'Blind enthusiastic acceptance of an idea', then 'Someone vaporized and erased from existance', then 'Loyal willingness to believe contradictory statements', and finally 'Thinking against the Party'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are definitions of Newspeak words from Orwell's 1984. For their own question, the Dandies chose Water: 'Royalist Commander, 1st Battle of Newbury', then 'Long-time editor of 'Oz' magazine', then 'Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker', and finally 'Singer in boyband 5ive'; they identified them as men called Richard Neville, and collected a point. The Gaffers chose 'Horn-ed' Viper next, and got the picture set: we saw a map with Alderney highlighted, then one of New Zealand with Wellington, then the UK with the island of Tobermory highlighted, and finally the Orinoco river highlighted. My parents saw this, but neither of the teams did: they are the names of Wombles! The Dandies chose Eye of Horus next, and got the music set: we heard 'Joey' by Bob Dylan, then Charlotte Church with 'Crazy Chick', then Little Jimmy Osmond singing 'Puppy Love', and finally 'The Ugly Ducking'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they have baby animals in their titles. Left with Two Reeds for their own question, the Gaffers saw 'Centenary: Scotland', then 'Giuseppe Garibaldi: France', then 'Millennium: Ireland', and finally 'Calcutta: England'; they saw them to be the then current holders of the Six Nations trophies, and collected a point. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied at 2-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Dandies kicked the round off with Twisted Flax: 'Display of an aircraft's airspeed', then 'Responsible for the Kitemark', and then 'Gil Grissom's team'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are ASI, BSI and CSI respectively, so something for DSI, such as 'Detective Superintendent', would do. For their own question, the Gaffers chose Lion: 'Factory', then 'Italian', and then 'Automobiles'; they saw it to be what FIAT stands for translated into English, but didn't know what the T stood for. Their opponents did, offering 'Turin' for the bonus. For their own question, the Dandies chose 'Horn-ed' Viper: 'James Callaghan (1976)', then 'John Major (1990)'; they had it the same time as I did, though not for the right reason, 'Theresa May (2016)' completes the set, the correct sequence being PMs who took office without winning an election ('Gordon Brown (2007)' would be third) The Gaffers chose Two Reeds next, and got the picture set: we saw cricketer Brian Lara, then Annabel Croft the tennis player, and then the tomb of the unknown soldier. They didn't quite see it, the opponents did: 'Lara', 'Croft', 'Tomb', so something for 'Raider', such as a player for the Oakland Raiders, would be fourth. For their own final choice, the Dandies chose Water: 'Queen Anne dies', then 'Napoleon exiled to Elba'; they saw them to be events of 1714 and 1814, so something to 1914, like 'Outbreak of First World War', would be third, and, for the points, something that happened in 2014, such as 'Scottish independence referendum', would complete the set. Left with Eye of Horus, the Gaffers saw 'Blood (1)', then 'Banana (2)', and then 'Grass (3)'. They didn't quite get it, nor did their opponents: they are things usually coloured in the colours of snooker balls, so 'Live wire (4)' would be correct. (Both teams suggestions of 'Rock' and 'Sand' could've been satisfactory, had they been able to give the connection too) At the end of the second round, the Dandies led 10-3.
On to the Walls. The Gaffers took their turn to go first, and chose the Lion wall. They spotted some links, but struggled to find sets; eventually, they isolated 'Seal', 'Area', 'Matter' and 'Goo', which can all follow 'Grey'. They could come up with nothing else though, so had to settle for bonus points: 'Lot', 'Paris', 'Cher' and 'Calvados' are French departments, which they didn't get, 'Usher', 'Sia', 'Brandy' and 'Drake' are singers known by one name, which they did get, while 'Cob', 'Tiercel', 'Tom' and 'Gander' are male birds, which they also got. Four points there then.
The Dandies thus could put the match pretty much out of reach if they could get a decent result from the Water wall. After studying the clues, they quickly isolated two sets: 'Riddle', 'Enigma', 'Conundrum' and 'Mystery' are things that can be solved, while 'Breed', 'Stock', 'Pedigree' and 'Strain' are examples of lineage. After looking over what was left, they faulted once, then solved it on their second go: 'Jacket', 'Nut', 'Puzzle' and 'Business' can all follow 'Monkey', while 'Twist', 'Wrench', 'Tear' and 'Sprain' are types of injury. So a full ten there, which gave them a lead of 20-7 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish off with, with the Dandies realistically needing to just stand their ground to win. 'Names of phrases that include golf clubs', such as 'POTATO WEDGES', was split 1-each. 'Things a teacher might say' went to the Dandies 2-1. 'Newspapers that specialise in business' went to the Dandies 2-0, and that was time. The Dandies won 25-9.
Another excellent display of quizzing. Unlucky Gaffers, who were simply outplayed, but no shame in that on a show of this calibre, and thanks very much for taking part. Well done Dandies though, and best of luck in the next round!
Next week's match: Arrowheads vs Wombles
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