Evening all. Feeling a bit more lively this week than last, no real idea why that is, maybe it's just the result of a good close contest. Both of tonight's teams looked reasonably impressive in their first round victories, both over teams who scored 105, but alas only one of them would reach the group stage and get the safety cushion of an affordable loss next time out.
Fitzwilliam College Cambridge won their first match over Leicester, winning 200-105, though a great deal of that lead was achieved in the final minutes. Hoping for more of the same tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Theo Tindall, from Bristol, studying Russian and Arabic
Theo Howe, from Oxfordshire, studying Japanese Studies
Captain: Hugh Oxlade, from South Woodford in London, studying History
Jack Maloney, from Harpenden in Hertfordshire, studying Medicine
Magdalen College Oxford were on level pegging with St Edmund's College Cambridge in their first match, also winning with a late spurt, 185-105, and providing one of the first round highlights along the way. Also hoping to match or better that were the also unchanged quartet of:
Winston Wright, from Seattle, studying Computer Science
Christopher Stern, from Dulwich, studying Chemistry
Captain: Johnny Gibson, from Glasgow, studying History
Sarah Parkin, from Hinckley, studying English and French
Off we set again then, and Mr Oxlade opened the night's scoring with 'great'; his side took two of the bonus set on residences of dukes, unluckily missing the third. Mr Gibson very quickly got his side going too, but they managed just one of their first bonuses on agreements. 'Dogs' gave the Magdalen captain another starter, and his side the lead and a full bonus set. A penalty then allowed Fitzwilliam to take the initiative back, but they got nothing from the resultant bonuses. The first picture round, on European ports able to house megaships, went to Fitzwilliam, who took a full bonus set, and the lead 55-35.
A well anticipated buzz from Ms Parkin drew Magdalen back in again, and bonuses on dictatorships drew them level again. A second slip-up though then gave Fitzwilliam the lead back, giving Mr Maloney his third starter of the night, but his side could only manage one bonus. A good starter asked which two letters turn the name of Saturn's largest moon to that of Uranus' largest; 'ia', Titan to Titania. Mr Maloney knew that, and the bonuses provided some good humour as his side couldn't name one Israeli computer scientists, let alone two as requested! Another Magdalen penalty handed the Fitzwilliam right-winger another starter, and bonuses on 19th century English football gave them the same two correct answers as me.
The music round, on pop music that employs the Dembow rhythm, went to Fitzwilliam, who took two correct answers, including the first ever mention of Justin Bieber on UC! The Cambridge side now led 120-45, but Mr Gibson pulled one back for Magdalen; two bonuses followed, the other unluckily missed. Mr Howe increased his side's lead once again, and the side impressively wolfed up a tricky bonus set on African geography. Mr Gibson looked like he was guessing 'Scottish National Party' for the next starter, but he was right, though his side failed to capitalise on the bonuses. It seemed to wake the Magdalen skipper up though, as he took another starter, and bonuses on philosophy proved more to their liking, taking two this time. Fitzwilliam were then harshly fined five for cutting the end of the question wrongly; Mr Gibson took the points, but just the one bonus followed this time.
The second picture round, on paintings from the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, went to Magdalen, who took just one bonus, nonetheless cutting the gap to 140-125. A fifth starter in a row went Mr Gibson's way, and bonuses on places beginning 'Ul' gave his side the chance to take the lead; but they could only manage one. (I got 'Ulverston' as Stan Laurel's birthplace) Level pegging, but Mr Howe restored Fitzwilliam's lead, and one bonus was accompanied.
All to play for in the final stretch: Mr Maloney blinked first, quickly taking his first starter in a while, and his side took two of the bonuses that came with it. And when Mr Tindall took the next starter very promptly indeed, that might just have put the game to bed, even though the Cambridge side took just one bonus on royal births. Ms Parkin just about kept her side in the game with the next starter; realistically needing a full set to stay in the game, Magdalen could only manage one. That was game over, and just to be sure, Mr Tindall took a second starter. At the gong, Fitzwilliam won 200-155.
A very good quickly paced game, thoroughly enjoyed it, well done both sides. Unlucky Magdalen, but, as Paxo said, a very entertaining and respectable performance, and thanks very much for playing! Well done Fitzwilliam though, a second good win over decent opponents, and best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Gibson was the best buzzer of the night, with eight, while Mr Maloney was best for Fitzwilliam with six. On the bonuses, Fitzwilliam converted 17 out of 36 (with one pedantic penalty), while Magdalen managed 14 out of 30 (with three penalties), so it was on the buzzer that the match was narrowly decided, well played both sides.
Next week's match: Oxford Brookes vs Merton in the final second round match.
Only Connect was good tonight as well; fingers crossed I can get my review done quickly this week.
That was a cracking match I must say. Shame we won't be seeing the old Gibson again. My pereception is the teams were well matched with Magdalen being a bit overeliant on a star player to buzz in, not dissimilar to St Johns/Corpus a few weeks back. Your twitter stats seem to match that perception suggesting Fitz were more 'balanced'. I like your stats by the way as they give emprical evidence for a few things Ive suspected down the years. Parkin gave a good account of herself and her and Gibson were wonderfully jolly. I understand from my students the Magdalen team did quite well in Oxford's internal quiz thing. Looking forward to next week, should be a good one!
ReplyDelete