OK, well, here we are peeps: the last post on this blog of this decade. Unless you're counting counting 2020 as the last year of the decade, which, given that 2000 is, technically speaking, the last year of the old millennium, rather than the first of the current, is sort of correct. But let's not get bogged down in technicalities now.
It was a strong first week's play on this year's Christmas UC series; ahead of its resumption tonight, let's quickly recap it.
Monday 23rd: Leeds vs Clare Cambridge
Leeds: Jonathan Clements, Henry Gee, Rev. Richard Coles, Tim Allen
Clare Cambridge: Elin Manahan Thomas, Marcel Theroux, Amanda Spielman, Allison Pearson
In which Rev. Coles and Ms Pearson joined the list of people to have been on both Xmas UC and an Only Connect charity special. Leeds took the lead early on, and never lost it, ultimately running out 205-55 winners, and will definitely be coming back later this week.
Tuesday 24th: Birmingham City vs Wadham Oxford
Birmingham City: Bunny Guinness, Carole Boyd, Ian Skelly, Jim Crace
Wadham Oxford: Jonathan Freedland, Tom Solomon, Anne McElvoy, Roger Mosey
Cue jokes on Twitter about why wasn't Trevor Francis on the Birmingham City team! Again, Wadham took the lead early on and never relinquished it, despite a valiant recovery from their opponents. Wadham won 160-75 and, unless both the remaining winning teams today and tomorrow beat it, they'll be back later in the week.
Wednesday 25th: Guildhall vs U.C.L.
Guildhall: Catherine Bott, Bob Barrett, Monica Dolan, Charles Edwards
U.C.L.: Pen Hadow, Poppy Sebag-Montefiore, Maryam Moshiri, Hugh Griffiths
An enjoyable Christmas Day contest between two pleasant sides. It was U.C.L.'s better start that ultimately proved the difference, and though Guildhall valiantly fought back, U.C.L. saw the game out, and won the match 165-120; we'll definitely be seeing them again later in the week.
Thursday 26th: Liverpool vs Hull
Liverpool: Emma Jane Unsworth, Roger Bolton, Anna Maxwell Martin, Beverley Hunt
Hull: Matthew Halsall, Tracy Borman, Lucy Beaumont, Joanna Nadin
It was the bonuses that won this game, with Hull only answering one starter more than their opponents, but faring considerably better on the bonuses, 16 out of 21 to Liverpool's 5 out of 18. Thus, Hull won 150-75; again, should tonight's and tomorrow night's winners not beat that, we'll be seeing them again.
Friday 27th: Royal Holloway vs Sussex
Royal Holloway: Jackie Hunter, Emma Bridgewater, Fern Riddell, Lucy Hughes-Hallett
Sussex: Mark D'Arcy, Zoe Strimpel, Kim Newman, Perdita Barran
Last match of a strong opening week, and another comfortable victory. Royal Holloway took the first starter, but Sussex quickly took the upper hand, and ran out comfortable 130-70 winners, unfortunately not enough for a return.
So, Leeds and U.C.L. are definitely coming back, Wadham have a half decent chance, and Hull are most vulnerable. But it was a fine first week, with all five winning teams getting good scores; we can only hope this week's offerings will continue this strong trend!
Back next week with a review of that; until then, thank you to everyone who has supported me and this blog this year and this decade (/this decade so far), and have a Happy New Year!
Monday, 30 December 2019
Monday, 16 December 2019
University Challenge 2019-20: Round 2: Match 5: Huddersfield vs Manchester
Evening all. Well, here we are: the last (regular) UC of the 2010s; can still remember watching St John's of Oxford beat Girton of Cambridge in the first of the decade back in the big freeze of January 2010. I am still planning my Review of the Decade, but have decided to hold it off until this current series is over, and cover the ten series recorded this decade. For now, though, on with tonight's show, with the winners fighting to be on the top row for the first QF preliminary (if past years are anything to go on).
Huddersfield, appearing on UC for the first time, won a low scoring first round tie against the Open University 145-125 on the last correct starter of the match. They were the same foursome as that time around:
Sean Fisher, from Huddersfield, studying History
Rebecca Wilson, from Leeds, studying Chemistry
Captain: Andy Cook, from Walsall, studying History
Aaron Cahill, from Norwich, studying Drama
Manchester ran out winners by 185-145 in their first match against Jesus of Oxford, a team good enough to survive to the play-offs and go on to reach the QFs. Hoping to join them were the also unchanged quartet of:
Jack Rogers, from Cheshire, studying Maths
Melissa Johnson, from South Africa, studying Economics
Captain: James Green, from the Wirral, studying Modernist Literature
Adam Booth, from Greenford in London, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and Mr Cook picked up where he left off last time around as he identified the derivation of the term 'Cold War' for the first starter; bonuses on breeds of donkey gave the Terriers one correct answer. A penalty dropped Manchester into negative equity, but Huddersfield failed to capitalise, though they were unlucky to, as Mr Cook got all the information right, but not what was asked of him. Mr Green pulled his side back to 5 by identifying Wes Anderson for the next starter, and the Mancunians also managed one correct bonus. Mr Booth then lost another five for buzzing wrongly just as the question was finishing, but, again, Huddersfield, didn't pick up. Another penalty reset Manchester's score to nought; Mr Cook did pick up this time, and his side duly took two bonuses on the work of Rachel Whiteread. The first picture round, on cities that have hosted the main conference of European Maritime Day, went to Manchester; no bonuses followed, which left them trailing 35-10.
Mr Rogers duly got them moving in the right direction again as he took the next starter, and one bonus from a tough set on physics went with it. Ms Johnson then ensured all four Manchester players already had a starter to their names; bonuses on German cities proved more to their liking, a full set, and with it the lead. With the bit now between their collective teeth, Mr Green quickly identified the word 'Kompromat' for the next starter; one bonus followed, as did another starter for Mr Rogers, and two bonuses on astronomy.
Neither side identified Rossini's Barber of Seville for the music starter; the music bonuses, on works completed in a relatively short time, went to Manchester, who took the sole bonus they needed to get into triple figures, now leading 100-35. And on they powered as Mr Green took the next starter, which gave them a classic UC bonus set on words differing in their first letter only, of which they took two. Mr Cook finally reawoke Huddersfield by taking the next starter; one bonus on nuclear physics ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub 50 club. Back came Manchster as Mr Rogers quickly identified Charles Fourier as the coiner of the term feminism; bonuses on suspension bridges gave the Mancunians one correct bonus. A second starter in a row went to Mr Rogers, and two correct bonuses followed this time.
The second picture round, on artworks donated to the New York Museum of Art by Lillie Bliss, went to Manchester; one correct bonus took their lead to 170-50. The game was now all but over as a contest, as confirmed when Mr Green took the next starter, and a full set of bonuses on South American deserts.
Still, Huddersfield went out on a high, as Mr Cook identified the play 'The Ferryman' for the next starter, and a full set of bonuses on anatomy was banged out in short order. The Terriers captain took a second starter in a row, but just the one bonus on the work of dramatist John Webster followed this time. Mr Green took the last starter of the game, identifying Helvetica as the font derived from the native name of Switzerland, but they were gonged before they could answer the first bonus. At the gong, Manchester won 205-90.
A rather slow contest, but an enjoyable one between two pleasant teams, good on them for clapping each other at the end. Unlucky Huddersfield, but, as Paxo said, a respectable performance for a first time entrant institution, thanks very much indeed for giving it to us. Well done Manchester though, and best of luck in the quarter-finals!
The stats: Mr Green was the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Mr Cook was best for Huddersfield with all five of theirs. On the bonuses, Huddersfield converted 8 out of 15, while Manchester managed 18 out of 37 (with three penalties).
And that's it for this year, and indeed this decade! Christmas UC starts next Monday and runs weekdaily for two weeks. The student series will return on the 6th of January.
Only Connect is also now pausing for some festive specials, which start two weeks today; tonight's last regular match of the year, and decade, between the Endeavours and the 007s, ended in a comfortable win for the latter, 26-15.
Huddersfield, appearing on UC for the first time, won a low scoring first round tie against the Open University 145-125 on the last correct starter of the match. They were the same foursome as that time around:
Sean Fisher, from Huddersfield, studying History
Rebecca Wilson, from Leeds, studying Chemistry
Captain: Andy Cook, from Walsall, studying History
Aaron Cahill, from Norwich, studying Drama
Manchester ran out winners by 185-145 in their first match against Jesus of Oxford, a team good enough to survive to the play-offs and go on to reach the QFs. Hoping to join them were the also unchanged quartet of:
Jack Rogers, from Cheshire, studying Maths
Melissa Johnson, from South Africa, studying Economics
Captain: James Green, from the Wirral, studying Modernist Literature
Adam Booth, from Greenford in London, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and Mr Cook picked up where he left off last time around as he identified the derivation of the term 'Cold War' for the first starter; bonuses on breeds of donkey gave the Terriers one correct answer. A penalty dropped Manchester into negative equity, but Huddersfield failed to capitalise, though they were unlucky to, as Mr Cook got all the information right, but not what was asked of him. Mr Green pulled his side back to 5 by identifying Wes Anderson for the next starter, and the Mancunians also managed one correct bonus. Mr Booth then lost another five for buzzing wrongly just as the question was finishing, but, again, Huddersfield, didn't pick up. Another penalty reset Manchester's score to nought; Mr Cook did pick up this time, and his side duly took two bonuses on the work of Rachel Whiteread. The first picture round, on cities that have hosted the main conference of European Maritime Day, went to Manchester; no bonuses followed, which left them trailing 35-10.
Mr Rogers duly got them moving in the right direction again as he took the next starter, and one bonus from a tough set on physics went with it. Ms Johnson then ensured all four Manchester players already had a starter to their names; bonuses on German cities proved more to their liking, a full set, and with it the lead. With the bit now between their collective teeth, Mr Green quickly identified the word 'Kompromat' for the next starter; one bonus followed, as did another starter for Mr Rogers, and two bonuses on astronomy.
Neither side identified Rossini's Barber of Seville for the music starter; the music bonuses, on works completed in a relatively short time, went to Manchester, who took the sole bonus they needed to get into triple figures, now leading 100-35. And on they powered as Mr Green took the next starter, which gave them a classic UC bonus set on words differing in their first letter only, of which they took two. Mr Cook finally reawoke Huddersfield by taking the next starter; one bonus on nuclear physics ensured they wouldn't be joining the Sub 50 club. Back came Manchster as Mr Rogers quickly identified Charles Fourier as the coiner of the term feminism; bonuses on suspension bridges gave the Mancunians one correct bonus. A second starter in a row went to Mr Rogers, and two correct bonuses followed this time.
The second picture round, on artworks donated to the New York Museum of Art by Lillie Bliss, went to Manchester; one correct bonus took their lead to 170-50. The game was now all but over as a contest, as confirmed when Mr Green took the next starter, and a full set of bonuses on South American deserts.
Still, Huddersfield went out on a high, as Mr Cook identified the play 'The Ferryman' for the next starter, and a full set of bonuses on anatomy was banged out in short order. The Terriers captain took a second starter in a row, but just the one bonus on the work of dramatist John Webster followed this time. Mr Green took the last starter of the game, identifying Helvetica as the font derived from the native name of Switzerland, but they were gonged before they could answer the first bonus. At the gong, Manchester won 205-90.
A rather slow contest, but an enjoyable one between two pleasant teams, good on them for clapping each other at the end. Unlucky Huddersfield, but, as Paxo said, a respectable performance for a first time entrant institution, thanks very much indeed for giving it to us. Well done Manchester though, and best of luck in the quarter-finals!
The stats: Mr Green was the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Mr Cook was best for Huddersfield with all five of theirs. On the bonuses, Huddersfield converted 8 out of 15, while Manchester managed 18 out of 37 (with three penalties).
And that's it for this year, and indeed this decade! Christmas UC starts next Monday and runs weekdaily for two weeks. The student series will return on the 6th of January.
Only Connect is also now pausing for some festive specials, which start two weeks today; tonight's last regular match of the year, and decade, between the Endeavours and the 007s, ended in a comfortable win for the latter, 26-15.
Monday, 9 December 2019
University Challenge 2019-20: Round 2: Match 4: Imperial vs St John's
Evening all. Here we are at the penultimate regular UC of the 2010s, and as its nearly 2020, I am planning a UC Review of the Decade. Now whether I do it at the end of the year and cover exactly the 2010s or wait until the end of the current series and look back on the last ten series (2010-11 to 2019-20) I haven't decided yet; opinions welcome. For now, though, on with the usual business.
Imperial College London racked up the highest score of the first round, as they beat Brasenose of Oxford 255-70, dominating almost throughout. They were the same foursome as before:
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
St John's College Oxford also comfortably won their first match, beating Wolfson of Cambridge 115-40 in the lowest scoring UC match of the Paxo era. They were also unchanged from before:
Sam Burns, from Walthamstow in London, studying History
Isabella Morris, from London, studying English Language and Literature
Captain: Asher Leeks, from Beckenham in London, studying Evolutionary Biology
Aaron Soor, from Woodford in London, studying Maths
Off we set again then, and St John's started with a misfire, allowing Mr Rich to pick up where he left off by taking 'Simon Bolivar' for the first starter; a full set of bonuses on the subtitles of books was a strong statement of intent from the Londoners. They then lost five of their own on the next starter though, but St John's failed to pick up. The Oxonians then slipped up again (I think possibly the first time, in the BBC era at least, that the first three starters saw penalties incurred), and Mr Rich swept in for the pickup; two bonuses followed. Mr Soor finally got St John's moving in the right direction again, giving them a bonus set on trios whose names began with A, B and C respectively, of which they took one. Mr Brooks then was first in with Lincolnshire (just after I got it), but just one bonus on scientific terms ending 'grade' followed. The first picture round, on maps illustrating outbreaks of disease, went to St John's; two bonuses followed, which cut their arrears to 55-25.
They duly increased again though as the mononymous Brandon, wearing a jumper with a picture of Alex Trebek on it to show support for him (he had just been diagnosed with cancer when this episode was filmed), identified the artist Mary Cassatt for the next starter; a full house of bonuses on Pulitzer Prizes followed. Mr Leeks broke back in for St John's, which gave them a bonus set on UK dales, of which they took one. Mr Soor didn't quite get the right end of the stick on the next starter, allowing Brandon to take the points; a bonus set on last year's (men's football) World Cup saw both me and them get Iceland and Brazil, but miss Belgium.
The music round, on jazz artists who went solo after coming to fame alongside Miles Davis, went to Imperial; two bonuses took their lead to 120-40. And it was just getting bigger as Mr Rich identified the Ordnance Survey for the next starter; a tough bonus set on powers of ten gave the Londoners five points. Brandon was in quickly for the next starter for knowing that six non-Earth planets were known to exist by 1820, and got told off by Paxo for 'finding the questions insultingly easy'! Two bonuses followed, before Brandon took a second starter in a row, and a full set of bonuses on historic English counties pretty much ended the match as a contest.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on films edited by Dede Allen, went to St John's, who took one bonus, which took the scores to 180-55. Mr McMeel cemented Imperial's win when he took the next starter, giving his side a classic UC bonus set on high scoring words in Scrabble, of which they took two.
So now it was just a question of how much higher both sides could go; Mr Leeks pulled one back for St John's, and a bonus set on the 'stan' countries gave them a full set in short order. Mr Rich pulled Imperial past 200 as he took the next starter, and a bonus set of Tudor rebellions was also dispatched reasonably easily. Mr McMeel was first to work out the next starter; just one bonus on Italian cinema followed, but it mattered not. The next starter was a rerun of a famous bad answer from the show in the 90s: "Pen y Fan is the highest point in which national park?" Neither side said 'Snowdonia' this time; Mr Leeks did get the right answer of the 'Brecon Beacons' though, and another full bonus set deservedly took St John's into triple figures. Mr Brooks took the last starter, and his side answered the one bonus there was time for correctly. At the gong, Imperial won 255-105.
Another good watchable contest, even if it was a rather one sided one. Unlucky St John's, but a valiant performance in the circumstances, thanks very much for playing! Very well done Imperial though, and very best of luck in the QFs; definitely a team to watch!
The stats: Mr Rich was the best buzzer of the night with five, while Messrs Leeks and Soor got three each for St John's. On the bonuses, Imperial converted 26 out of 37 (with one penalty), while St John's managed 11 out of 18 (with two penalties).
Next week's match: the last regular UC of the decade! Again, I don't know who's playing yet, but will be sure to retweet anything I find.
Only Connect was much closer tonight, with the second qualifier, between the Forrests and the Choristers; after a tight contest all the way through, including a welcome mention of Punch and Judy toothpaste (my favoured toothpaste for a while!), the Choristers won it on the last Missing Words of the show, winning 22-21!
Imperial College London racked up the highest score of the first round, as they beat Brasenose of Oxford 255-70, dominating almost throughout. They were the same foursome as before:
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
St John's College Oxford also comfortably won their first match, beating Wolfson of Cambridge 115-40 in the lowest scoring UC match of the Paxo era. They were also unchanged from before:
Sam Burns, from Walthamstow in London, studying History
Isabella Morris, from London, studying English Language and Literature
Captain: Asher Leeks, from Beckenham in London, studying Evolutionary Biology
Aaron Soor, from Woodford in London, studying Maths
Off we set again then, and St John's started with a misfire, allowing Mr Rich to pick up where he left off by taking 'Simon Bolivar' for the first starter; a full set of bonuses on the subtitles of books was a strong statement of intent from the Londoners. They then lost five of their own on the next starter though, but St John's failed to pick up. The Oxonians then slipped up again (I think possibly the first time, in the BBC era at least, that the first three starters saw penalties incurred), and Mr Rich swept in for the pickup; two bonuses followed. Mr Soor finally got St John's moving in the right direction again, giving them a bonus set on trios whose names began with A, B and C respectively, of which they took one. Mr Brooks then was first in with Lincolnshire (just after I got it), but just one bonus on scientific terms ending 'grade' followed. The first picture round, on maps illustrating outbreaks of disease, went to St John's; two bonuses followed, which cut their arrears to 55-25.
They duly increased again though as the mononymous Brandon, wearing a jumper with a picture of Alex Trebek on it to show support for him (he had just been diagnosed with cancer when this episode was filmed), identified the artist Mary Cassatt for the next starter; a full house of bonuses on Pulitzer Prizes followed. Mr Leeks broke back in for St John's, which gave them a bonus set on UK dales, of which they took one. Mr Soor didn't quite get the right end of the stick on the next starter, allowing Brandon to take the points; a bonus set on last year's (men's football) World Cup saw both me and them get Iceland and Brazil, but miss Belgium.
The music round, on jazz artists who went solo after coming to fame alongside Miles Davis, went to Imperial; two bonuses took their lead to 120-40. And it was just getting bigger as Mr Rich identified the Ordnance Survey for the next starter; a tough bonus set on powers of ten gave the Londoners five points. Brandon was in quickly for the next starter for knowing that six non-Earth planets were known to exist by 1820, and got told off by Paxo for 'finding the questions insultingly easy'! Two bonuses followed, before Brandon took a second starter in a row, and a full set of bonuses on historic English counties pretty much ended the match as a contest.
The second picture starter was dropped; the bonuses, on films edited by Dede Allen, went to St John's, who took one bonus, which took the scores to 180-55. Mr McMeel cemented Imperial's win when he took the next starter, giving his side a classic UC bonus set on high scoring words in Scrabble, of which they took two.
So now it was just a question of how much higher both sides could go; Mr Leeks pulled one back for St John's, and a bonus set on the 'stan' countries gave them a full set in short order. Mr Rich pulled Imperial past 200 as he took the next starter, and a bonus set of Tudor rebellions was also dispatched reasonably easily. Mr McMeel was first to work out the next starter; just one bonus on Italian cinema followed, but it mattered not. The next starter was a rerun of a famous bad answer from the show in the 90s: "Pen y Fan is the highest point in which national park?" Neither side said 'Snowdonia' this time; Mr Leeks did get the right answer of the 'Brecon Beacons' though, and another full bonus set deservedly took St John's into triple figures. Mr Brooks took the last starter, and his side answered the one bonus there was time for correctly. At the gong, Imperial won 255-105.
Another good watchable contest, even if it was a rather one sided one. Unlucky St John's, but a valiant performance in the circumstances, thanks very much for playing! Very well done Imperial though, and very best of luck in the QFs; definitely a team to watch!
The stats: Mr Rich was the best buzzer of the night with five, while Messrs Leeks and Soor got three each for St John's. On the bonuses, Imperial converted 26 out of 37 (with one penalty), while St John's managed 11 out of 18 (with two penalties).
Next week's match: the last regular UC of the decade! Again, I don't know who's playing yet, but will be sure to retweet anything I find.
Only Connect was much closer tonight, with the second qualifier, between the Forrests and the Choristers; after a tight contest all the way through, including a welcome mention of Punch and Judy toothpaste (my favoured toothpaste for a while!), the Choristers won it on the last Missing Words of the show, winning 22-21!
Monday, 2 December 2019
University Challenge 2019-20: Round 2: Match 3: Courtauld vs Glasgow
Evening all. So, as was pointed out in a comment on last week's blog, thus far, we've seen the two play-off survivors procede to the second round, the first time that's happened since the 2011-12 series. Two more regular matches after tonight, then we pause for the usual Christmas celebrity fare. On paper, one could be forgiven for thinking tonight's result a foregone conclusion. No such thing as that on UC though...
The Courtauld Institute of Art won a specialist London derby against the LSE in their first outing, taking a low scoring contest 145-90. They were unchanged from that match:
Ash Silver, from North London, studying History of Art
Morgan Haigh, from Cardiff, studying History of Art
Captain: Harry Prance, from Winchcombe in Gloucestershire, studying Middle Byzantine Eucharistic Objects
Nancy Collinge, from Blackpool, studying History of Art
Glasgow won the first match of the series back in July, taking a strong early lead against Lancaster and ultimately seeing it home 230-95, which was the highest score of the round until Imperial bettered it in the penultimate match of it. They were also unchanged from that time:
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-Lyne, studying Education
Off we set again then, and the first starter of the match asked after the term 'millennial'; Ms Collinge was in first to correctly offer it, and the London side took one bonus on seaside towns with multiple words in their names. Neither side took the next starter, Mr Prance very quickly took the next, and his side took full advantage with a full bonus set on directors noted for music videos. The Courtauld captain took a second starter in a row, but their fortunes swung back the other way, no bonuses this time. Mr Whitworth took Glasgow off the mark with 'Afghanistan', giving his side a bonus set on Norwegian literature, of which they took two. The first picture round, on titles of novels in French, went to Courtauld, who took another full set, which gave them a lead of 80-20.
And it increased again as Mr Prance took the next starter, and two bonuses took them already to 100 points. Mr Whitworth came back in for Glasgow with 'woodpecker', and, again, the Scots side took a pair of bonuses. A second starter in a row went to Mr Whitworth, but a set of bonuses on canals proved not to their liking, none taken.
The music round, on concept albums of this decade just finishing (weird to think that!), went to Courtauld, who took two bonuses, one of which provided this week's Only Connect crossover answer in 'Kate Tempest', which gave them a lead of 120-50. It increased when Mr Whitworth gave an answer he realised was wrong just as soon as he interrupted to say it; Mr Prance duly did the pick up, giving his side a bonus set on works in the Brera Gallery in Milan, of which they, again, took two. Mr McRobert brought Glasgow back into the match with 'bone marrow', but, again, his side got nothing from a bonus set on animals of the weasel family. Ms McAllister won the visible race to the buzzer when it became apparent 'needle' was the word being sought by the next starter; one bonus from the obligatory Shakespeare set followed. Back came Courtauld with Mr Prance again doing the honours; bonuses on meteor showers saw the Londoners employ the popular tactic of saying the same answer, in this case 'Perseids', three times and getting it right on the third go! Mr Whitworth quickly shot in on the next starter with 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' though, and two bonuses just about kept them within touching distance.
The second picture starter saw Mr Whitworth beat the art specialists to the buzzer to identify the work of Lucien Freud; the bonuses, on nude self portraits, gave the Scots side two correct bonuses, which took the scores to 155-110. Still just about closable if they could get a run together, but when Mr Prance took the next starter, the job became a lot harder; one bonus followed.
A slip-up from the Courtauld captain gave Glasgow a chance to break back in, but they had to let it pass. The next starter was dropped too, with suggestions that the Caribbean and the Red Sea are in the Pacific only resulting in laughter! A third starter in a row was dropped, but when Mr Haigh took the next, that was game over; one bonus on the life and work of VS Naipaul followed. Glasgow went out with a flourish, as Mr Whitcombe ensured all eight players had contributed a starter, and another pair of bonuses followed. Ms McAllister took the last of the game, and one of the two bonuses there was time for followed. At the gong, Courtauld won 180-145.
A good contest, the result of which I doubt many could have seen coming. Unlucky Glasgow, but a fair performance to go out on nonetheless, thanks for playing! Very well done Courtauld though, and very best of luck in the quarter-finals!
The stats: Mr Prance was the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Mr Whitworth was best for Glasgow with five. On the bonuses, Courtauld converted 17 out of 30, while Glasgow managed 12 out of 26, with both sides incurring one penalty each.
Next week's match: again, don't know, watch my Twitter feed, will retweet as soon as I see anything.
Only Connect began its qualifier matches tonight with the Lexplorers vs the Suits; after a very tough contest, with two especially hard walls, the Lexplorers came from behind in the Missing Vowels to win 13-9.
The Courtauld Institute of Art won a specialist London derby against the LSE in their first outing, taking a low scoring contest 145-90. They were unchanged from that match:
Ash Silver, from North London, studying History of Art
Morgan Haigh, from Cardiff, studying History of Art
Captain: Harry Prance, from Winchcombe in Gloucestershire, studying Middle Byzantine Eucharistic Objects
Nancy Collinge, from Blackpool, studying History of Art
Glasgow won the first match of the series back in July, taking a strong early lead against Lancaster and ultimately seeing it home 230-95, which was the highest score of the round until Imperial bettered it in the penultimate match of it. They were also unchanged from that time:
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-Lyne, studying Education
Off we set again then, and the first starter of the match asked after the term 'millennial'; Ms Collinge was in first to correctly offer it, and the London side took one bonus on seaside towns with multiple words in their names. Neither side took the next starter, Mr Prance very quickly took the next, and his side took full advantage with a full bonus set on directors noted for music videos. The Courtauld captain took a second starter in a row, but their fortunes swung back the other way, no bonuses this time. Mr Whitworth took Glasgow off the mark with 'Afghanistan', giving his side a bonus set on Norwegian literature, of which they took two. The first picture round, on titles of novels in French, went to Courtauld, who took another full set, which gave them a lead of 80-20.
And it increased again as Mr Prance took the next starter, and two bonuses took them already to 100 points. Mr Whitworth came back in for Glasgow with 'woodpecker', and, again, the Scots side took a pair of bonuses. A second starter in a row went to Mr Whitworth, but a set of bonuses on canals proved not to their liking, none taken.
The music round, on concept albums of this decade just finishing (weird to think that!), went to Courtauld, who took two bonuses, one of which provided this week's Only Connect crossover answer in 'Kate Tempest', which gave them a lead of 120-50. It increased when Mr Whitworth gave an answer he realised was wrong just as soon as he interrupted to say it; Mr Prance duly did the pick up, giving his side a bonus set on works in the Brera Gallery in Milan, of which they, again, took two. Mr McRobert brought Glasgow back into the match with 'bone marrow', but, again, his side got nothing from a bonus set on animals of the weasel family. Ms McAllister won the visible race to the buzzer when it became apparent 'needle' was the word being sought by the next starter; one bonus from the obligatory Shakespeare set followed. Back came Courtauld with Mr Prance again doing the honours; bonuses on meteor showers saw the Londoners employ the popular tactic of saying the same answer, in this case 'Perseids', three times and getting it right on the third go! Mr Whitworth quickly shot in on the next starter with 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' though, and two bonuses just about kept them within touching distance.
The second picture starter saw Mr Whitworth beat the art specialists to the buzzer to identify the work of Lucien Freud; the bonuses, on nude self portraits, gave the Scots side two correct bonuses, which took the scores to 155-110. Still just about closable if they could get a run together, but when Mr Prance took the next starter, the job became a lot harder; one bonus followed.
A slip-up from the Courtauld captain gave Glasgow a chance to break back in, but they had to let it pass. The next starter was dropped too, with suggestions that the Caribbean and the Red Sea are in the Pacific only resulting in laughter! A third starter in a row was dropped, but when Mr Haigh took the next, that was game over; one bonus on the life and work of VS Naipaul followed. Glasgow went out with a flourish, as Mr Whitcombe ensured all eight players had contributed a starter, and another pair of bonuses followed. Ms McAllister took the last of the game, and one of the two bonuses there was time for followed. At the gong, Courtauld won 180-145.
A good contest, the result of which I doubt many could have seen coming. Unlucky Glasgow, but a fair performance to go out on nonetheless, thanks for playing! Very well done Courtauld though, and very best of luck in the quarter-finals!
The stats: Mr Prance was the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Mr Whitworth was best for Glasgow with five. On the bonuses, Courtauld converted 17 out of 30, while Glasgow managed 12 out of 26, with both sides incurring one penalty each.
Next week's match: again, don't know, watch my Twitter feed, will retweet as soon as I see anything.
Only Connect began its qualifier matches tonight with the Lexplorers vs the Suits; after a very tough contest, with two especially hard walls, the Lexplorers came from behind in the Missing Vowels to win 13-9.
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