University Challenge 2018-19: Repechage Play-Off 2: Hertford vs Exeter

Evening all. The unofficial end of the first round tonight, with two teams who both scored the same score in their respective first round matches and lost narrowly late on in the game. The winners would take the last place in the second round. And after last week's cracking contest, all would no doubt be hoping for something similar tonight given how evenly matched these teams look on paper. Anyway, to business...

Hertford College Oxford lost a tense Oxbridge derby to Clare College Cambridge, leading most of the game before being pipped on the last starter of the game for a 160-150 victory. Hoping to make up for that were the unchanged four of:
Stefi Woodgate, from South London, studying Biology 
Pat Taylor, from Warwick, studying Physics 
Captain: Richard Tudor, from Stourbridge, studying History 
Chris Page, from Orpington in London, studying English Literature

Exeter were beaten by Warwick in the first game of the series way back in July, also leading until late on when they were overtaken on the last few questions, losing 165-150. Also hoping for some sort of redemption were the also unchanged line-up of:
Simon Waitland, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, studying Natural Sciences
Will Klintworth, from Woking, studying History and International Relations
Captain: Danny Lay, from Oxford, studying Physics
Jessica Brown, from Chichester, studying Acoustic Metamaterials 

Off we set again then, and Mr Page was most unfortunate to drop five on the first starter, offering 'The Panama Papers' instead of 'The Paradise Papers'; Mr Waitland swooped, and Exeter took two of the first set of bonuses. The Oxford side moved back into positive figures with Mr Tudor doing the honours, but they took just one bonus from their opening set. A second starter in a row plus two bonuses on sports doping gave Hertford the lead, followed by Mr Tudor offering, ironically, 'Elizabeth I'! One bonus was taken. The first picture round, on English forests, went to Exeter, who took two bonuses (one Twitter user admitted to saying 'Nottingham Forest' instead of 'Sherwood Forest'!), reducing the gap to 45-40.

A good quick buzz from Mr Page increased Hertford's lead, as did a full bonus set on Manet's Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe. Mr Lay had a quick buzz of his own with 'Vulcanisation' (which I also knew thanks to QI!), and the side consistently took another two bonuses. That record was lost on the next bonus set, which they only took one of. It was enough to give them the lead though, and, two dropped starters later, Mr Lay increased it; no bonuses came this time though.

The music round, on classical pieces inspired by nostalgia, went to Exeter, who took two correct answers on the bonuses, giving them a lead of 105-70. Hertford promptly reawoke with Mr Page offering 'AX'; just one bonus was taken, but a second successive quick buzz and a full set of bonuses gave Hertford back a five point lead. Exeter duly reclaimed it though, and they took two bonuses from their resultant set. Back came Hertford, and back the lead they took with another full house on capital cities.

The second picture round, on authors portrayed in films, went to Hertford, with Exeter dropping five on a replacement starter; another full bonus house gave them a lead of 160-120. Still all to play for, but when Ms Woodgate took the next starter, and Hertford took two bonuses on the Berlin Wall, Exeter would really have to go for it all guns blazing to stand a chance.

They gave it a shot, Mr Klintworth identifying 'Cardinal Riechlieu' just seconds after I did, and the side took one bonus, using the old trick of saying the same thing three times and getting it right on the third go! But when Mr Klintworth dropped five on the next starter, and Mr Tudor took the points (again, just moments after I had it), that was game over. Two bonuses took the Oxonians up to 200, and a second starter in a row, plus one bonus, only served to bolster their score. Exeter went out with a final flourish, taking the last two starters and all of the one bonus set there was time for. At the gong, Hertford won 215-165.

Another top quality match, well played by both sides. Unlucky Exeter, but a fine performance to go out, not to mention, as Paxo said, a higher score than the first round, thanks very much for taking part! Very well done Hertford though, who, like Emmanuel last week, having twice performed strongly against good opposition, they may well be one to watch; very best of luck in the second round!

The stats: Messrs Tudor, Klintworth and Lay were the night's joint best buzzers, with four starters each. On the bonuses, Hertford converted a good 22 out of 33 (with one penalty), while Exeter managed an also fine 15 out of 27 (with two penalties).

Next week's match: the first second round match! Don't know who's playing yet, but will be sure to report any findings on Twitter.

Two UC alumni from last series on tonight's Only Connect, also another high quality contest with some good quizzing, plus some interesting talking points. Review on Wednesday I hope.