Evening all. Well, it's been a hot week here, and it still hasn't totally cooled down; even though it's a lot better outside, my flat is still very warm from all the built up heat. On with the show then, and a rerun of the 2010-11 final, except with the teams sitting on opposite desks. A place in the second round for the winners, a possible place in the play-offs for the runners-up.
Magdalen College Oxford was founded in 1458, and its alumni include Oscar Wilde and John Betjeman, and more recently John Sergeant and Ian Hislop. It''s UC record in the Paxo era is pretty solid, with a record four grand final victories (wording deliberate) and one grand final defeat, plus an Xmas series win. Hoping to carry on that success were this year's foursome of:
Dominic Brind, from London, studying History
Josie Dallas, from London, studying PPE
Captain: Alex Hardwick, from Wimbledon, studying Ancient Greek Crowd Psychology
Harry Strattan, from Sydney, studying Law
The University of York is a plate glass university, founded in 1962, although James I/VI had the idea for it many years earlier; its alumni include writers Helen Dunmore and Graeme Swift, politician Harriet Harman and comedian Harry Enfield. It has regularly sent teams to UC this century, last year's team were unlucky to draw eventual runners-up St Edmund Hall in the first round. This year's quartet were:
Mickey Conn, from Godalming, studying Social Policy
Sophie Williams, from Telford, studying Medieval Studies
Captain: Sam McEwan, from Sevenoaks, studying History and Philosophy
David Eastham, from Lancaster, studying Archaeology
Off we set again then, and York set off the mark first with Ms Williams doing the honours, and two correct answers set things going for the night. Mr Hardwick started Magdalen's campaign by remembering the utter stalemate in last year's Chess World Championship final; the Oxonians took the lead with a full house of bonuses, but then surrendered that lead to a penalty. Mr Conn took the points for York, and they too took a full set on bonuses, on video games released 25 years ago this year (something tells me we'll get quite a few 1994 questions this series). Mr Conn took a second starter in a row, but the Yorkers managed just one correct bonus this time. The first picture round, on blackout poetry, went to Magdalen, who took two correct bonuses, which cut their arrears to 60-40.
Those arrears reincreased when Mr Bring became the first player this series to buzz wrongly literally just as the question was finishing and lose five; York couldn't capitalise. Mr Hardwick recouped those losses on the next starter however, and a classic UC bonus set on pairs of words differing only by adding a J at the start gave the Oxonians a full set. They then took the lead on the next starter, and a second successive full set went with it. Back came York though, with Mr Eastham correctly offering 'Dodo', and they too took a full set of bonuses, leveling the scores again. Good high quality contest so far.
The music round, on classical works played on the synthesizer, went to Magdalen, who took two correct answers, which gave them a lead of 105-85. And up it went as Ms Dallas took the next starter and one bonus on dwarf planets followed. Mr Brind then made sure all four Oxonians had a starter correctly answered, and this time two correct bonuses on Roman roads followed. A good starter asked for the probability of landing on a station on the first move in Monopoly; Mr Eastham was first in with the correct answer, and two bonuses took the Yorkers into triple figures.
The second picture round, on stills from anthology TV series, went to York, who took a full house, which reduced their gap to 140-125. Unless someone ran away from here on in, we were in for a close finish. A dropped starter wasn't a great starter, but Mr Eastham took the next starter, and bonuses on women born the same year as Queen Victoria followed, of which they took just the one bonus, leveling the scores.
So, a straight shootout to the death; Mr Hardwick blinked first and took the next starter, and bonuses on reptiles followed, of which Magdalen took just the one correct. But when Mr Stratton took the next starter, even though, again, just one bonus followed, you suspected that might just have won it for them. So it proved; though Mr Eastham took the final starter, there was no time for bonuses. At the gong, Magdalen won 170-150.
A good contest between two solid and evenly matched teams, well done both of them and good on them clapping each other at the end. Unlucky York, but a fine performance, and 150 I would imagine will be enough for the play-offs (it hasn't not been enough for a while now IIRC), so hopefully we'll see you again. Well done Magdalen though, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Hardwick was, just the best buzzer of the night, with five starters to Mr Eastham's four. On the bonuses, Magdalen converted 18 out of 27 (with two penalties), while York managed 14 out of 21.
Next week's match: Birmingham vs Bristol
Monday, 29 July 2019
Monday, 22 July 2019
University Challenge 2019-20: Round 1: Match 2: Corpus Christi vs Merton
Evening all. So last night, I decided on a whim to look on YouTube for an old quiz show I used to like called 'Beg, Borrow or Steal' (used to be on BBC2 after The Weakest Link); unexpectedly, I found one, and who was on it, but Only Connect stalwart Katie Bramall-Stainer! Won't give any spoilers in case you decide to look it up yourself, and I'd recommend you do; it was a good quiz that deserved better than to be cancelled after one series. Anyway, on with tonight's UC, and the first Oxbridge match of the series...
Corpus Christi College Cambridge was founded in 1352 to train new clergymen to replace those who killed in the Black Death; alumni include the playwright Marlowe, the writer Christopher Isherwood and the actor Hugh Bonneville. It last sent a team to UC two series ago, who were unlucky to draw eventual winners St John's in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Alexander Russell, from Bristol, studying Japanese Studies
Will Stewart, from Peterborough, studying History of Art
Captain: Ian Wang, from Trafford in Greater Manchester, studying English
Alex Gunasekera, from from Witney, studying Chemistry
Merton College Oxford is one of the universtiy's oldest, founded 1264; its alumni include the writers TS Eliot and JRR Tolkein, the library founded Thomas Bodley and the politician and cheese fanatic Liz Truss. It also last appeared two series ago, and were also beaten by St John's, though they made it as far as the final before running into them. This year's quartet were:
James Kempton, from Orpington, studying the attack strategies of birds of prey, with applications to designing defensive drone technology
Rowan Wilson, from London, studying English
Captain: Nick Ridpath, from Golders Green, studying Economics
Jacob Robertson, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and Mr Robertson opened the game with 'Mercury', but just the one bonus was taken from the opening set. Corpus Christi didn't exactly get off to a great start, a penalty, but they soon recouped the lost points, and tied the score with two bonuses on director Ava DuVernay. Mr Wang (brother of Dennis Wang of the 16-17 Worcester Oxford team) gave his side the lead with 'Taiwan', and a full house of bonuses gave them a steady early advantage. The first picture round, on the titles of Beatles songs written in Old English, went to Corpus Christi, who took two correct answers, which increased their lead to 60-15.
Mr Ridpath decided that was enough of that for now, and buzzed in to identify Anya Shrubsole as the first woman to be on the cover of Wisden. A full bonus set put them well back into the game. Another penalty from Corpus Christi, a pickup from Merton, another full house, and suddenly the Oxford side had the lead. And they weren't holding up, Mr Robertson giving them a third in a row, and a bonus set on video games given a perfect rating by Famitsu magazine provided another two correct answers. Back came Corpus Christi, with Mr Wang identifying James Comey as the FBI director hired by Mr Obama and fired by Mr Trump (though Paxo didn't get that far before he was interrupted); one bonus followed.
The music round, on jazz standards, went to Corpus Christi, who took two correct bonuses; their mistaking of Ian Hislop lookalike Jimmy Somerville for Sade did not go uncommented on on Twitter! (Mr Somerville's old mate Rev Richard Coles was among those laughing at it!) The Cambridge side now led 90-85, and that lead increased when Mr Gunasekera took the next starter; the subsequent bonuses saw them acquire a further five points. Back came Merton with Mr Kempton doing the honours, and one bonus put them five behind. Mr Robertson then gave them the lead back with 'John Betjeman', and the weekly Shakespeare bonuses gave them a full set.
The second picture round, on selections of stills from film adaptations of novels by the same author, went to Corpus Christi, who took a full bonus set and the lead back, 130-125. Neither side knew Grace Kelly for the next starter (I guessed correctly), Mr Wang took the next, and the side quickly hurried through the resulting bonuses, taking all three and giving them the advantage heading into the home straight.
A Merton penalty put the Cambridge side within sight of victory, but they couldn't pick up. The Oxonians duly pulled one back, and took a full set of their own to keep themselves in the game. But another penalty handed Corpus Christi the advantage again, though they, again, couldn't capitalise. But Mr Stewart then took the next starter; just the one bonus followed, but when Mr Gunasekera took the next, that was game over. A sole bonus was taken again, as was one final starter before the gong; Corpus Christi won 195-140.
A good solid contest, well played both teams. Unlucky Merton, but a good effort, and hopefully 140 will be enough for a play-off place, we'll wait and see. Well played Corpus Christi though, a fine first effort against good opponents, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Messrs Wang, Gunasekera and Robertson were joint best buzzers of the night, with four each for their respective teams. On the bonuses, Corpus Christi converted 19 out of 30, while Merton managed 16 out of 21 (with both sides incurring two penalties).
Next week's match: Magdalen College Oxford vs York
Corpus Christi College Cambridge was founded in 1352 to train new clergymen to replace those who killed in the Black Death; alumni include the playwright Marlowe, the writer Christopher Isherwood and the actor Hugh Bonneville. It last sent a team to UC two series ago, who were unlucky to draw eventual winners St John's in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Alexander Russell, from Bristol, studying Japanese Studies
Will Stewart, from Peterborough, studying History of Art
Captain: Ian Wang, from Trafford in Greater Manchester, studying English
Alex Gunasekera, from from Witney, studying Chemistry
Merton College Oxford is one of the universtiy's oldest, founded 1264; its alumni include the writers TS Eliot and JRR Tolkein, the library founded Thomas Bodley and the politician and cheese fanatic Liz Truss. It also last appeared two series ago, and were also beaten by St John's, though they made it as far as the final before running into them. This year's quartet were:
James Kempton, from Orpington, studying the attack strategies of birds of prey, with applications to designing defensive drone technology
Rowan Wilson, from London, studying English
Captain: Nick Ridpath, from Golders Green, studying Economics
Jacob Robertson, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and Mr Robertson opened the game with 'Mercury', but just the one bonus was taken from the opening set. Corpus Christi didn't exactly get off to a great start, a penalty, but they soon recouped the lost points, and tied the score with two bonuses on director Ava DuVernay. Mr Wang (brother of Dennis Wang of the 16-17 Worcester Oxford team) gave his side the lead with 'Taiwan', and a full house of bonuses gave them a steady early advantage. The first picture round, on the titles of Beatles songs written in Old English, went to Corpus Christi, who took two correct answers, which increased their lead to 60-15.
Mr Ridpath decided that was enough of that for now, and buzzed in to identify Anya Shrubsole as the first woman to be on the cover of Wisden. A full bonus set put them well back into the game. Another penalty from Corpus Christi, a pickup from Merton, another full house, and suddenly the Oxford side had the lead. And they weren't holding up, Mr Robertson giving them a third in a row, and a bonus set on video games given a perfect rating by Famitsu magazine provided another two correct answers. Back came Corpus Christi, with Mr Wang identifying James Comey as the FBI director hired by Mr Obama and fired by Mr Trump (though Paxo didn't get that far before he was interrupted); one bonus followed.
The music round, on jazz standards, went to Corpus Christi, who took two correct bonuses; their mistaking of Ian Hislop lookalike Jimmy Somerville for Sade did not go uncommented on on Twitter! (Mr Somerville's old mate Rev Richard Coles was among those laughing at it!) The Cambridge side now led 90-85, and that lead increased when Mr Gunasekera took the next starter; the subsequent bonuses saw them acquire a further five points. Back came Merton with Mr Kempton doing the honours, and one bonus put them five behind. Mr Robertson then gave them the lead back with 'John Betjeman', and the weekly Shakespeare bonuses gave them a full set.
The second picture round, on selections of stills from film adaptations of novels by the same author, went to Corpus Christi, who took a full bonus set and the lead back, 130-125. Neither side knew Grace Kelly for the next starter (I guessed correctly), Mr Wang took the next, and the side quickly hurried through the resulting bonuses, taking all three and giving them the advantage heading into the home straight.
A Merton penalty put the Cambridge side within sight of victory, but they couldn't pick up. The Oxonians duly pulled one back, and took a full set of their own to keep themselves in the game. But another penalty handed Corpus Christi the advantage again, though they, again, couldn't capitalise. But Mr Stewart then took the next starter; just the one bonus followed, but when Mr Gunasekera took the next, that was game over. A sole bonus was taken again, as was one final starter before the gong; Corpus Christi won 195-140.
A good solid contest, well played both teams. Unlucky Merton, but a good effort, and hopefully 140 will be enough for a play-off place, we'll wait and see. Well played Corpus Christi though, a fine first effort against good opponents, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Messrs Wang, Gunasekera and Robertson were joint best buzzers of the night, with four each for their respective teams. On the bonuses, Corpus Christi converted 19 out of 30, while Merton managed 16 out of 21 (with both sides incurring two penalties).
Next week's match: Magdalen College Oxford vs York
Monday, 15 July 2019
University Challenge 2019-20: Round 1: Match 1: Lancaster vs Glasgow
Evening all. We're back! What's happened since I posted here last? Well, Mastermind was won by Judith Lewis, Andy Tucker became the latest Only Connect runner-up to win Fifteen-to-One 2.0, I've switched to a new laptop, and, just this afternoon, David Stainer won Brain of Britain, meaning all three of the Crossworders have won that show now! Most bizarrely of all, though, I went to watch Peterhead play at home and they won! (Hadn't happened in four prior visits!) Football talk on my other blog resumes shortly. In the meantime, on with the first heat of the EIGHTH(!) series I've covered on here...
Lancaster University is a plate glass uni founded in 1964, and its alumni include actor Andy Serkis, cyclist Jason Queally, TV presenter Ranvir Singh and motorhead James May. It last appeared on UC, back in the first series I covered on here, losing in the second round to St George's of London. This year's foursome were:
Stephen Ford, from Durham, studying Maths
Daniel Green, from Nottingham, studying Philosophy
Captain: Holly Lawton, studying French and German
Matt Roscoe, from Chester, studying Volcanology
Glasgow University is considerably older, the second oldest university in Scotland in fact, founded in 1451; its alumni include economist Adam Smith, TV pioneer John Logie Baird, Europhiles Nicola Sturgeon and Vince Cable, and, apparently, The Doctor (not 'Doctor Who', Paxo!). Last year, it reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to Manchester. This year's quartet were:
Ben Whitcombe, from Northwich, studying History and Film & TV studies
Cat McAllister, from Glasgow, studying Physics Education
Captain: Finlay McRobert, from Aberdeen, studying Maths
Ben Whitworth, from Ashton-under-Lyme, studying Education
Off we set again then, and Mr Whitcombe provided the first starter of the series; as soon as 'creator of Family Guy' was mentioned, both he and myself jumped in with 'Seth'. Two bonuses from the first set of the series were taken. Mr McRobert took the second starter for his side, with the resulting bonuses providing Paxo's first exclamation of the series! One bonus was taken. Another starter to Glasgow, another two bonuses, and already they were looking a solid team; as if to further this, they took a fourth and a full house of bonuses on Wilfred Owen (I knew 'Dolce et Decorum est', having studied it in school, and watched a documentary about Owen by Paxo!) The first picture round, on places named after chemical elements, went to Glasgow, who took two bonuses, and already led 100-0.
Lancaster finally opened their account on the next starter, with Mr Ford correctly offering 'surd'; alas, nothing come from their first bonus set. Mr Whitworth resumed normal service for Glasgow, with a starter and a pair of bonuses adding to their score. A second starter in a row went to Mr Whitworth, but the Scots side got nothing from a bonus set on the Louvre.
The music round, on classical pieces associated with flowing water, went to Lancaster, who took two correct bonuses, which reduced their arrears to 130-30. A second starter in a row went to Lancaster, and a bonus set on geometry provided them with a much needed full house. Back to Glasgow, with Ms McAllister ensuring all four of the team had a starter to their name; one bonus followed. The next starter was a classic pub quiz one: which animal indicates a zoo on a map (reminds me of one of my favourite wrong answers on The Weakest Link!); Mr Whitcombe and myself both knew it to be an elephant, but Glasgow got nothing from the bonuses. Mr Ford came back in for Lancaster with 'Kansas City' (nice crossover with Brain of Britain that), and a bonus set on volcanoes fell right into the lap to volcanologist Mr Roscoe, another full set.
The second picture round, on stills from films on the BFI's list of films one must be before you're 14, went to Glasgow, who took a full house of their own, which took the scores to 180-80. Still time for either team to mount a late run, and Lancaster showed they weren't out of contention for, at least, a play-off place yet as Mr Ford took his latest starter of the game; two bonuses deservedly took them into triple figures.
Mr Whitworth identified Ezra Pound's critique of Walt Whitman for the next starter, though, and two bonuses took Glasgow past 200; that was game over, and it was now a question of whether Lancaster could muster a late play-off charge. Two starters in a row were dropped, before Mr Ford incurred the first penalty of the series; Mr Whitworth took the points, and bonuses on Brazilian state capitals provided Glasgow with two correct answers. There was just time for one more starter to Glasgow before the gong went; Glasgow won 230-95.
An OK match to start the series, albeit surprisingly one-sided; usually they start the series with a close one. Unlucky Lancaster, who seemed a good team and I suspect would've beaten another team, but a fair effort, thanks for playing! Very well done Glasgow though, an excellent opening performance, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Whitworth was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Ford's five. On the bonuses, Lancaster converted 10 out of 15 (with the night's one penalty), while Glasgow managed 20 out of 36.
Next week's match: Corpus Christi College Cambridge vs Merton College Oxford
Lancaster University is a plate glass uni founded in 1964, and its alumni include actor Andy Serkis, cyclist Jason Queally, TV presenter Ranvir Singh and motorhead James May. It last appeared on UC, back in the first series I covered on here, losing in the second round to St George's of London. This year's foursome were:
Stephen Ford, from Durham, studying Maths
Daniel Green, from Nottingham, studying Philosophy
Captain: Holly Lawton, studying French and German
Matt Roscoe, from Chester, studying Volcanology
Glasgow University is considerably older, the second oldest university in Scotland in fact, founded in 1451; its alumni include economist Adam Smith, TV pioneer John Logie Baird, Europhiles Nicola Sturgeon and Vince Cable, and, apparently, The Doctor (not 'Doctor Who', Paxo!). Last year, it reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to Manchester. This year's quartet were:
Ben Whitcombe, from Northwich, studying History and Film & TV studies
Cat McAllister, from Glasgow, studying Physics Education
Captain: Finlay McRobert, from Aberdeen, studying Maths
Ben Whitworth, from Ashton-under-Lyme, studying Education
Off we set again then, and Mr Whitcombe provided the first starter of the series; as soon as 'creator of Family Guy' was mentioned, both he and myself jumped in with 'Seth'. Two bonuses from the first set of the series were taken. Mr McRobert took the second starter for his side, with the resulting bonuses providing Paxo's first exclamation of the series! One bonus was taken. Another starter to Glasgow, another two bonuses, and already they were looking a solid team; as if to further this, they took a fourth and a full house of bonuses on Wilfred Owen (I knew 'Dolce et Decorum est', having studied it in school, and watched a documentary about Owen by Paxo!) The first picture round, on places named after chemical elements, went to Glasgow, who took two bonuses, and already led 100-0.
Lancaster finally opened their account on the next starter, with Mr Ford correctly offering 'surd'; alas, nothing come from their first bonus set. Mr Whitworth resumed normal service for Glasgow, with a starter and a pair of bonuses adding to their score. A second starter in a row went to Mr Whitworth, but the Scots side got nothing from a bonus set on the Louvre.
The music round, on classical pieces associated with flowing water, went to Lancaster, who took two correct bonuses, which reduced their arrears to 130-30. A second starter in a row went to Lancaster, and a bonus set on geometry provided them with a much needed full house. Back to Glasgow, with Ms McAllister ensuring all four of the team had a starter to their name; one bonus followed. The next starter was a classic pub quiz one: which animal indicates a zoo on a map (reminds me of one of my favourite wrong answers on The Weakest Link!); Mr Whitcombe and myself both knew it to be an elephant, but Glasgow got nothing from the bonuses. Mr Ford came back in for Lancaster with 'Kansas City' (nice crossover with Brain of Britain that), and a bonus set on volcanoes fell right into the lap to volcanologist Mr Roscoe, another full set.
The second picture round, on stills from films on the BFI's list of films one must be before you're 14, went to Glasgow, who took a full house of their own, which took the scores to 180-80. Still time for either team to mount a late run, and Lancaster showed they weren't out of contention for, at least, a play-off place yet as Mr Ford took his latest starter of the game; two bonuses deservedly took them into triple figures.
Mr Whitworth identified Ezra Pound's critique of Walt Whitman for the next starter, though, and two bonuses took Glasgow past 200; that was game over, and it was now a question of whether Lancaster could muster a late play-off charge. Two starters in a row were dropped, before Mr Ford incurred the first penalty of the series; Mr Whitworth took the points, and bonuses on Brazilian state capitals provided Glasgow with two correct answers. There was just time for one more starter to Glasgow before the gong went; Glasgow won 230-95.
An OK match to start the series, albeit surprisingly one-sided; usually they start the series with a close one. Unlucky Lancaster, who seemed a good team and I suspect would've beaten another team, but a fair effort, thanks for playing! Very well done Glasgow though, an excellent opening performance, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Whitworth was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Ford's five. On the bonuses, Lancaster converted 10 out of 15 (with the night's one penalty), while Glasgow managed 20 out of 36.
Next week's match: Corpus Christi College Cambridge vs Merton College Oxford
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