University Challenge 2019-20: Round 1: Match 13: Imperial vs Brasenose

Evening all. Here we are at the penultimate second round match, and Paxo's intro has spared me from recapping the play-off situation tonight! Suffice to say, I'm a bit hyper tonight after the incredible FA Cup draw this evening that saw non-league Chichester City getting a bye to the second round! And speaking of football, one Twitterer described tonight's UC as an old school match-up, the equivalent of Wanderers vs Royal Engineers! Let's do it then...

Imperial College was founded in 1907 and was part of the University of London until it declared independence 100 years later, and is solely devoted to the sciences; alumni include writer HG Wells, the re-rediscoverer of penicillin Sir Alexander Fleming and the four-minute mile runner Sir Roger Bannister. The college won UC in 1995-96 and 2000-01, but its last appearance was a first round exit two series ago; this year's foursome were:
Richard Brooks, from Stockton-on-Tees, studying Mechanical Engineering
Brandon, from Jamaica, Queens in New York City, studying Computing
Captain: Caleb Rich, from Lewisham, studying Controlled Quantum Dynamics
Connor McMeel, from Dublin, studying Computer Science

Brasenose College Oxford is somewhat older, founded in 1509; it's long list of alumni include the cricketer Sir Colin Cowdrey, the writer Sir John Mortimer, the actor Sir Michael Palin and the former PM Mr David Cameron. It's last UC visit was also a first round defeat, a heavy one, to Durham back in 2014-15; this year's quartet were:
Alan Haugh, from Farmington, Connecticut, studying PPE
Maude Mullan, from North London, studying Classics
Captain: Ollie Hanson, from Wolverhampton, studying Maths
Tucker Drew, from Detroit, studying Philosophy and Linguistics

Off we set again then, and a very quick buzz from Mr Haugh opened the scoring for the night, and the Oxford side took two bonuses on the Levant countries. A penalty then allowed Mr McMeel to open the scoring for Imperial, the giveaway clue being the country England beat in the second round of the World Cup last year. No bonuses went to the Londoners, but Mr Rich then gave them the lead with the next starter, and, in a reversal of fortune, a full set of bonuses, a classic UC set on words spelt the same but pronounced differently, followed. The first picture round, on major cities built on islands, went to Imperial, who took two bonuses, taking their lead to 55-15.

A penalty then knocked five off that lead, but all Brasenose could do in response was provoke a sneer from Paxo! The mononymous Brandon, a regular on quiz shows in America I gather, soon got Imperial going in the right direction again, and a pair of bonuses accompanied it. Mr Rich identified the economist Thomas Pikkety for the next starter, and a set of bonuses on Barbie dolls gave them a full set of bonuses, and, with it, a strong lead. Brandon then took Imperial into triple figures as he took the next starter, and a full set of bonuses meant they suddenly had a 100+ point lead, and things were looking ominous for Brasenose.

The music round, on pieces later adapted for the dancer Martha Graham, went to Imperial; one bonus meant they now led 135-15. A quick buzz from Ms Mullan reawoke Brasenose though, but the just the one bonus on physics followed. A second starter in a row then went to the Oxonians though, and two bonuses on cats in art ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub-50 club. Brandon then put a stop to their recovery however as he took the next starter; one bonus followed, the same one I got.

The second picture round, on works in the Kelvingrove Gallery, went to Brasenose; two bonuses followed, which took the scores to 145-70. They'd have to go for it if they were to stand a chance, but Imperial's lead only went up again when Mr McMeel took the next starter; no bonuses followed however.

But when Brandon took the next starter very quickly, that was game over; a pair of bonuses on the work of Neil Gaiman confirmed this. And their lead and score were only getting bigger, as that man Brandon identified the Irtyh river for the next starter; bonuses on the Nordic games gave them a full house, taking them within sight of 200. Another starter took them over it; just one bonus followed, but by now, it was immaterial. Another starter went to Mr Rich, and another sole bonus; the next went to Brandon, and another single bonus gave them the largest score of the series thus far. There was time for one more starter and bonus, and that was the gong; Imperial won 255-70.

A very strong match indeed, even if a one-sided one. Unlucky Brasenose, a perfectly good team who'd certainly have beaten another team, but a good account of yourselves, thanks for playing. Very well done Imperial though, definitely a team to watch in the next round; very best of luck in it!

The stats: Brandon was the best buzzer of the night, with seven, while Ms Mullan was best for Brasenose with two. On the bonuses, Imperial converted 23 out of 43 (with two penalties), while Brasenose managed 7 out of 12 (with one penalty).

Next week's match: Lady Margaret Hall Oxford vs Downing College Cambridge

Only Connect was also high quality tonight, between the Journeymen, including UC alumni Chris Ducklin and Thomas Grinyer, and the Turophiles, captained by Fifteen-to-One finalist Jascha Elliott. The latter team won 27-24 after a close match, and both teams fully deserve a second match.