University Challenge 2018-19: Round 2: Match 7: Downing vs Darwin

Evening all. The penultimate second round match tonight, and thus far, the group stage line-up is pretty unusual in that, after six games, there are only two Oxbridge teams in it: Emmanuel and St Edmund Hall. One more would join them though, as two Cambridge teams played tonight, both comfortable and impressive winners in their first matches, and most unfortunate to be playing each other at this stage of the contest.

Downing College Cambridge were easy winners over Pembroke of Oxford back in July, pulling ahead after an evenly matched started to ultimately triumph 230-75. Hoping for more of the same were the unchanged foursome of: 
Fergus O'Dowd, from Winchester, studying Linguistics 
Jane O'Connor, from Dublin, studying Human, Social and Political Sciences 
Captain: Yanbo Yin, from Beijing, studying Physics 
Felix Prutton, from Wootton in Norfolk, studying Natural Sciences

Darwin College Cambridge were similarly dominant against the London School of Oriental and African Studies two weeks later, leading almost from the off and ultimately romping home by 260-90. Also hoping for similar tonight were the also unchanged quartet of: 
Stuart MacPherson, from Bothwell in South Lanarkshire, studying Physics
Christopher Davis, from London (originally California), studying Plant Sciences
Captain: Jason Golfinos, from New York City, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, in particular Arabic Studies
Guy Mulley, from Loughton in Essex, studying Law

Off we set again then, and Mr Golfinos, answerer of all but one of his side's correct starters in the first round, quickly took his side off the mark with 'Angkor Wat'; they quickly set out their intent with a full set of bonuses. A penalty allowed Downing to quickly set off in pursuit though, but they took just one bonus from their opening set. Back came Darwin with their captain doing the honours again, but Irish counties only provided one correct bonus for them too. 'Controversial opera' proved more to their liking on their next set, a full house there. The first picture round, on topological surfaces, went to Darwin, who took two of their bonuses, taking their lead to 80-15.

Mr Yin, another captain who had a virtuoso first outing, moved his side further along by taking the next starter, and Downing took two of their bonuses on birds. A rare slip-up by the Darwin captain gave his opposite number a second starter in a row, and they moved closer still with a second bonus set requiring the names of French departments to be spelled. Mr Golfinos thought that was enough of that as he bit his side back into the game, but they got nothing from a bonus set on actress Myrna Loy. Another starter went the Darwin captain's way, and metallurgy proved a tad more favourable to them, one correct answer.

The music round, on rap songs and the original songs they sample (both were played), went to Darwin, and saw a minor tiff between Messrs Golfinos and Davis, after which Paxo encouraged them to have a fight! One bonus was taken, giving them a lead of 115-60. And they weren't stopping there, as Mr Golfinos beat his opposite number to the buzzer to answer 'Peter' to the next starter, and a full bonus set on law terms went with it. A classic UC question requiring arithmetic between chemical numbers was then taken by Mr MacPherson, and two bonuses on Dutch artists gave Darwin a 100 point lead. Back came Downing, as Mr O'Dowd was first in with 'Leningrad', but just the one bonus went with it.

The second picture round, on stills from films featuring disastrous social gatherings, went to Downing; nothing came from the bonuses, meaning they trailed 160-85 going into the final straight. Mr Yin gave them a third starter in a row, though, thanks to a nice bit of anticipation about where the starter was about to swerve; a much needed full bonus set on European borders took them into three figures, and meant they were just about still in it.

Mr Golfinos thought otherwise though as he took 'Lakme' for the next starter, and a pair of bonuses put them within sight of victory. And when Mr Yin lost five on the next starter, and Mr MacPherson picked up the drop, that was game over. One bonus on oil painting went with it. Mr Yin gave his side one more starter, and one bonus on the Lake District accompanied it. There was time for Mr Golfinos to break his side past 200, but the gong went during the bonuses. Darwin won 205-120.

A good high quality contest, well played by both sides there, most unfortunate this is a knockout game. Unlucky Downing, a fine team who gave another good account of themselves, would've certainly beaten another team on that form, thanks very much indeed for taking part! Very well done Darwin though, a second strong performance against good opponents, and very best of luck in the group stage!

The stats: the two captains were, again, their side's best buzzers, with Mr Yin taking five for Downing and Mr Golfinos, again, the best of the night with nine for Darwin. On the bonuses, Downing converted 11 out of 21 (with one penalty), while Darwin managed 19 out of 36 (with two penalties).

Next week's match: the last second round match, Warwick vs Bristol

Only Connect began its qualifier quarter-finals tonight, also with a high quality contest; review coming up on Wednesday at the earliest.