Good evening friends, and welcome back, a day later than usual, to JOW! Yes, UC was on later than usual yesterday, but at least it was worth it for the exciting Mastermind final; quick summary of that coming up later, or head over to LAM for a more thorough review. This is going to be a streamlined review tonight; shame, as it was a very good contest between two great teams. Winners would go through to the semi-finals, runners-up could count themselves unlucky to be going out now.
Durham began the QFs as big favourites after beating Bristol, now in the semis, in the first round and thumping Bangor in the second, but maybe not so much now after a closer win over Southampton in their first QF and a low scoring loss to Royal Holloway in their second. They were unchanged from those four previous games:
Harry Scully, from Welwyn Garden City, studying Physics and Chemistry
Chloe Margaux, from Haringey in London, studying Sociology
Captain: Alex Radcliffe, from Edinburgh, studying Maths
Bea Bennett, from Icomb in Gloucestershire, studying English
U.C.L. were also many's favourites to reach the semis after close but impressive wins over Sheffield and Newcastle and a comfortable win over Jesus in their first QF, but, again, maybe not so much after a loss to Bristol in their second. They were also the same four as before:
Rachel Collier, from West London, studying the History of Ancient Greek
Michael Fleetwood-Walker, from the West Midlands, studying Urban Studies
Captain: James Salmon, from Bristol, studying Planetary Science
Louis Collier, from London, studying Maths and Physics
So, off we set once again, and it was Mr Collier who took the first starter of the night for U.C.L., and Mr Scully who took the second for Durham; both sides took one bonus from their opening sets. U.C.L. then pushed ahead with two successive starters and pairs of bonuses, including the first picture round, on areas where the dominant language has no official status, after which they led 55-15. A second starter to Durham yielded just one correct bonus; in contrast, another to U.C.L. gave them two correct, which opened their lead further. Durham did take the music round, on operas based on literary works, but another sole bonus meant they still trailed 95-45.
Another starter to Durham, another sole bonus, and it looked like it just wasn't going to be their night, especially when U.C.L. took a starter and full house to increase their lead to 70 points. Durham did take the second picture round, on paintings of previously unnamed black models; again, just one bonus follow, leaving them trailing 130-75. A penalty to U.C.L. gave Durham a chance, which they took, but another sole bonus, followed by another starter to U.C.L., looked like it had won it for them. But Durham took two starters in a row and, though the bonuses agin weren't to their liking, just one out of six, they weren't far behind. And when Mr Fleetwood-Walker was unluckily beaten by a swerve, Mr Radcliffe lept in, and the bonuses finally fell for Durham, a full set giving them the lead. And when Mr Scully took the next starter, and two bonuses went with it, that was game over. Mr Salmon did take the last for U.C.L., but, despite their attempts to rush through the bonuses, there wouldn't have been time to catch up. At the gong, Durham won a dramatic match 160-145.
A fine contest between two excellent teams, shame one of them had to lose now. Well done to Durham, worthy semi-finalists; best of luck to them there! Hard lines to U.C.L., who were just pipped at the post and would've been worthy winners too; thanks very much for playing!
The stats: Mr Scully was the best buzzer of the night with five, while Mr Salmon was best for U.C.L. with four, finishing the series their best buzzer with 21 over five matches. On the bonuses, Durham managed 12 out of 30 and U.C.L. 13 out of 26 (with two penalties).
No match next week due to snooker coverage. We, hopefully, resume in two weeks' time with Southampton vs Newnham. Advanced warning: unless we get any double bills in the coming weeks, the final will be on May the 29th, which means I'll be away that week and so my review will be delayed again. I'll try and keep you posted.
The Mastermind final was a great, very close affair. Michael McPartland was probably the ante-post favourite, but ended up joint last after the SS round alongside James Davidson with 9 each, with Ben Spicer on 10, Stephen Finn on 12, James Beeby on 14 and Stuart Field just ahead on 15.
Michael went first on GK, and put in a great round to his credit which upped his score to 24, which James D., Ben and Stephen were unable to surpass on their rounds, finishing with 22, 22 and 20 respectively.
James B. managed to just better Michael's score by just a point, leaving Stuart a target of 25 to beat. And beat it he did; 28 his final score, and he is the new Mastermind champion! Very well done him, and well done everyone else for an enjoyable final!
And thanks to Clive M. and TPTB for another enjoyable series, though I do agree with Dave C. that a tweak to the rules to allow the highest scoring runners-up places in the semis again should at least be considered for the next series.
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