University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 4: SOAS vs Darwin

Evening all. We're back after our week off, a week off I was planning to use to go away for a few days, but unfortunately my plans fell through, leaving me stuck here with very little to do, but anticipate tonight's game! Two colleges, one experienced, one rookie, both catering for mature students, one would definitely proceed to the second round, the runners-up might yet too!

The London School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS, was founded in 1916; noted alumni include politicians Enoch Powell, Aung San Suu Kyi and David Lammy and comedian Dom Joly, who appeared for the college on Christmas UC IIRC. It has occasionally sent teams to UC, last appearing two series ago and reaching the semis in 2013-14. This year's foursome were:
Mark Thomas, from Newcastle, studying Global Cinema
Chad Beaman, from London, studying Japanese
Captain: Harriet Gemmill, from London, studying Sinology
Tom Pollitt, from Bristol, studying International Law

Darwin College Cambridge is one of Cambridge's newer colleges, founded in 1964, and is strictly postgrads only. Alumni include primatologist Dian Fossey and cloner Sir Ian Wilmut. This is, as far as we know, the college's first ever UC appearance, but we don't have full stats for the ITV era. Tonight's team were:
Stuart MacPherson, from Bothwell in South Lanarkshire, studying Physics
Christopher Davis, from London (via California), studying Plant Science
Captain: Jason Golfinos, from New York City, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Guy Mulley, from Loughton in Essex, studying Law

Off we set again then, and Mr Golfinos opened the scoring for the night with 'Jade'; bonuses on the year 1997, a year I know quite a bit about, gave them one correct answer, and a nice swipe at Mel C from the Paxomeister! Neither team knew Sofia Coppola for the next starter (I did, having heard the same question on UC before), Mr Thomas took SOAS off the mark by identifying the first two seats won by the SDP; two bonuses on Greek myth gave the Londoners a five point lead. Darwin retook it when Mr Golfinos took the next starter, and the side took two of the resultant bonuses. The first picture round, on Latin maxims and their general senses, went to Darwin, who took another two correct, giving them a lead of 55-20.

Mr Beaman then lost five on the next starter, and Mr Golfinos didn't wait for any more to come before picking up the correct answer; another two correct bonuses were converted. The Darwin captain wasn't letting up as he took yet another starter, and his side swept the board on the bonuses, on computer games. His side were already at their century, and when SOAS dropped another five and that man Mr Golfinos picked up again, their lead was into three figures too. All three bonuses were followed by yet another starter to Darwin's irrepressible captain, and another two bonuses, and already you'd think they were home and dry.

The music starter was yet another Mr Golfinos added to his haul; the bonuses, on big band leaders from the swing era, gave the Cambridge side two points, and took their lead to 165-10. Paxo felt the need to let SOAS know there was still time left, and Mr Pollitt tried his luck on the next starter, but couldn't convert; nor could Darwin. Yet another superb early buzz from the Darwin captain unlocked bonuses on director Julie Taymor, of which two followed. Then, for once, Mr Golfinos came in too early, allowing SOAS to finally break back into the game; two bonuses followed, of which I took one as well. It proved but a blip though, as the Darwin captain was back on the money with the next starter; bonuses on the work of comedy writer Chris Morris, including the classic 'cake' from Brass Eye, gave them another two answers. Mr Beaman then did the right thing and took an early flyer, but it fell wide, dropping five; Mr MacPherson did the honours for Darwin this time, and the side smashed through the 200 barrier with another full house.

The second picture round, on stills from hand drawn animated films, went to SOAS, who took two bonuses, which took the scores to 220-45. A second starter in a row to the London side ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub-50 club, and a full set of bonuses put them within sight of three figure respectability. But another slip-up set them back five, and allowed that man Golfinos to take the pick-up; bonuses on British birds gave them two correct answers.

Now, it was just a question of how much either side could score. Darwin's brilliant captain added yet another starter to his mightily impressive tally, but his side dropped all three bonuses on Dickens (I knew one of them thanks to WWTBAM). Mr Beaman took another starter for SOAS, and bonuses on astronomy gave them just the one correct answer. Another interruption, however, then dropped them back further, and gave Darwin the points and bonuses on cricket trophies, of which one was taken. They couldn't quite manage a 200+ win however, the final starter of the game going to SOAS, who took the one bonus there was time for. At the gong, Darwin won 260-90.

Another rather one sided game, but it still made for compelling viewing nonetheless. Unlucky SOAS, a perfectly decent team who would almost certainly have won another fixture, and who took the defeat in good grace; thanks very much to them. Very well done to Darwin though, Mr Golfinos especially, and very best of luck in the second round!

The stats: Mr Golfinos ended the match with THIRTEEN(!) (that's ONE THREE) starters to his name, which, unless I'm mistaken (which I could well be), is the highest individual tally in a single match since the legendary Alex Guttenplan scored the same in the 2009-10 final! Mr Beaman was best for SOAS with three. On the bonuses, SOAS converted a respectable 11 out of 17 (with five penalties), while Darwin managed an excellent 26 out of 42 (with two penalties); definitely one to watch in the next round!

Next week's match: Clare College Cambridge vs Hertford College Oxford