Evening all. Here we go again then, with two more teams vying for either a place in the second round, or, failing that, a place among the four highest scoring runners-up. Already we're into double figures for the series so, after the next show in a fortnight, we'll start knowing the line-up for those play-offs. On with tonight's show...
Goldsmiths is a constituent of the University of London, established 1904 and a full college since 1987. Alumni include artists Lucien Freud and Bridget Riley, Hairy Biker Dave Myers and former Mastermind champ and fellow blogger Dave Clark. Making its third appearance on the Paxo era tonight; its second, last series, saw them exit in the second round. This year's foursome were:
Alex Wilkins, from Brighton, studying Digital Journalism
Catherine Coldstream, from North London, studying Creative Writing
Captain: Henry Coburn, from Cambridge, studying English
Greg Sibley, from Oakville, Ontario, studying Political Communications
Southampton University is a bit more recent, having received its charter in 1952. Its alumni include Father Brian Eno from the last episode of Father Ted, the news presenter Jon Sopel and the late great Jeremy Hardy. It has regularly sent teams to UC this century, most notably reaching the QFs in 2013-14 with our old friend Richard 'CromartyIV' Evans; its last team, two series ago, also went out in the second round. This year's quartet were:
Josh Holland, from Worcester, studying Theoretical Computer Science
Rory Fleminger, from Oxford, studying Civil Engineering
Captain: Steve Barnes, from Hyde in Hampshire, studying Chemical Education
James Carrigy, from Knaphill in Surrey, studying History
Off we set again then, and Mr Sibley, who, as Paxo made sure to point out, hails from the same town as the great Eric Monkman, opened the scoring for the night; Goldsmiths set their marker down with a full set on the Black Sea. The Londoners' right winger took a second starter in a row, but, in a reversal of fortune, none of the resulting bonuses followed. Mr Wilkins gave Goldsmiths a third in a row, and fortune swung back the other way again, with a full set on 16th century art. The first picture round, on twinned towns and cities, went to Goldsmiths, who, in another twist of fate, failed to add to their score, including a confusion of Southampton with Portsmouth! They still led 70-0 though.
Yet another of those 'just an' interruptions knocked five off that lead, and Mr Barnes duly pounced to open Southampton's account; two bonuses on the Lake District followed. The Saints captain then took a second starter in a row, unlocking a bonus set on writers born 1946, in which both they and I managed just the one correct answer of Michael Rosen.
The music round, on 'I want' songs from musicals, went to Southampton, who took a pair of the bonuses, which reduced the gap to 65-55. Up it went again though, as Mr Sibley awoke his side from their slumbers with 'Rachel Carson'; bonuses on birds gave them just the one correct answer. Mr Coburn took a second in a row for the Londoners by knowing Tess of the d'Urbervilles to have been arrested at Stonehenge; two bonuses took them into triple figures. Came came Southampton thanks to Mr Barnes, and bonuses on playing cards brought them back into within one starter and full house.
The second picture round, on illustrations from the Newgate Calendar, went to Southampton, who took two bonuses to cut the gap to just 100-95. And when Mr Barnes worked out a nice cryptic starter next, they had the lead for the first time; bonuses on chemical elements in Haiku form (sounds like something out of Pointless) gave them two correct answers.
Still anyone's game heading into the final minutes; a penalty didn't help Goldsmiths' cause, but Southampton failed to capitalise. Mr Fleminger took the next starter though, and the side duly took a full set of bonuses, with Mr Carrigy realising in the nick of time that one of the answers related to where he studied! And when he himself correctly answered 'Nora' to the next starter, that was game over; two bonuses followed. There was time for Mr Holland to ensure all four Saints players had a starter to their names; the gong came just as they incorrectly answered the third bonus. Southampton won 175-95.
Another low scoring match, but one made watchable by two pleasant teams. Unlucky Goldsmiths, who started well by faded somewhat later on, but a respectable performance, thanks for playing. Well done Southampton though, and best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Barnes was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Sibley was best for Goldsmiths with three. On the bonuses, Goldsmiths converted 9 out of 18 (with two penalties), while Southampton managed 17 out of 27.
No match next week due to LIVE athletics; hopefully we're back in two weeks.
Only Connect is off next week too; tonight's match saw the Forrests return after withdrawing from last series, and mark their return by beating newcomers the Electrophiles 22-18.
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