University Challenge 2018-19: Round 2: Match 4: Clare vs St Edmund Hall

Evening all. So, the penultimate regular match of the series tonight; one more next week, and then we break for the usual two weeks of Christmas specials. Plus, I have since learned more about those special Only Connects I mentioned last week, and we shall be having a further two specials, for a total of four overall! How I'm going to review all those in order, I don't know; may have to hold some of them back for a bit I fear. Anyway, let's do this...

Clare College Cambridge won their first match against play-off survivors Hertford of Oxford, trailing for much of it, a well timed late sprint saw them snatch it on the last starter of the game for a 160-150 victory. Hoping for the same, only less close, tonight were the unchanged four of:
Anish Naik, from Enfield in London, studying Astrophysics 
Matt Nixon, from Belfast, studying Astrophysics 
Captain: Andrew Gurr, from Basingstoke, studying Law 
Elijah Granet, from San Diego, California, studying Politics

St Edmund Hall Oxford had it slightly easier in their first match against York, leading throughout and ultimately winning by a comfortable margin of 240-105. Hoping for exactly more of the same tonight were the also unchanged foursome of:
Agastya Pisharody, from India and Basel, studying Material Science
Marceline Bresson, from the Netherlands, studying Economics and Management
Captain: Freddie Leo, from Berlin, studying History
Lizzie Fry, from Worcestershire, studying Geography 

Off we set again then, and the ball set rolling for the night with 'charge' from Mr Nixon; a pair of bonuses went with it to get things going. Ms Bresson opened her side's account for the night, and her's for the series, when she took the next starter, but the Oxonians only took one bonus on the work of John Scott Russell. A penalty dropped Clare back level, but St Edmund Hall failed to pick up; Mr Granet recouped the lost points by taking the next starter, and his side also took just the one bonus. The Oxford side pulled level again thanks to a second starter to Ms Bresson and another solitary bonus. The first picture round, on straits, went to St Edmund Hall, who, again, took just the one bonus, but now had the lead 45-30.

A second starter in a row went to the Oxford skipper, by far their best player in the first round; a nice bonus set asking for the city that hosted the Olympics the year various listed events happened saw another solitary bonus go their way. Mr Pisharody opened the lead up further, and this time two bonuses were the accompaniment. The Oxford side moved into triple figures first as Mr Leo was first in with 'New Orleans', and another pair of bonuses, on early computing, went to them as well. The St Edmund Hall captain seemed to have the bit firmly in his teeth as he was quick in on the next starter; no bonuses followed, but his side had now opened up a healthy lead.

The music starter was dropped by both sides; the bonuses, on classical works commissioned for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, went to St Edmund Hall, who took two of them, giving them a lead of 130-30. And it was just getting bigger as a fourth correct starter in a row went to their captain; bonuses on Jane Fonda provided them with another two bonuses. Mr Leo just wasn't giving in as he promptly took another starter, giving his side on that old UC staple Chinese dynasties, of which, again, they took two. A sixth starter in a row went to the St Edmund Hall captain; just the one bonus followed this time, but his side had surely sewn the match up by now.

The picture round, on US presidents who won elections despite losing the popular vote (this week's OC crossover questions!), saw Clare finally break back into the game; two bonuses reduced their arrears to 185-50. A second starter in a row went to the Cambridge side, but just the one bonus followed this time. Mr Pisharody reawoke his side on the next starter, and the Oxonians broke past 200 with two bonuses from the obligatory set on chemical elements.

Going into the final minutes, it was just a question of how high both teams could get. Ms Fry made sure all four Oxonians had a bonus under their belts by taking the next starter, and, once again, a pair of bonuses went with it. Mr Naik then ensured all eight players had their name on the scoreboard; his side quickly banged out the first full bonus set of the night, on writers with three letter surnames. A second starter in a row deservedly took the Cambridge side into three figures, as did two bonuses on Hindu deities. Mr Granet buzzed next, but no answer came; Ms Bresson picked up the pieces, and bonuses on girls names invented by writers saw them take two (I got the one they didn't get). The last starter saw Clare go out on a high when, asked for a famous caricaturist, Mr Gurr offering an obvious joke guess of 'Deborah Meaden'! The gong came immediately after that, St Edmund Hall won 245-105.

Another high quality match, great showing from both sides, with that mid-game six starter run for Mr Leo winning the match. Unlucky Clare, undone by that run, but a respectable and entertaining effort to go out on, thanks very much indeed for playing! Very well done St Edmund Hall though, another strong victory over decent opposition, and very best of luck in the group stage!

The stats: Mr Leo was, again, by far and away best on the buzzer, ending with EIGHT starters to his name, while Messrs Gurr and Granet were joint best for Clare with two. On the bonuses, Clare converted a respectable 11 out of 18 (with two penalties), while St Edmund Hall managed 21 out of 42, and, as I said before, all eight players had a starter to show for the night.

Next week's game: I am informed it is Glasgow vs Goldsmiths

Only Connect had its last first round match tonight; review of that later in the week, Wednesday hopefully.