Greetings friends, and welcome back, at last, to JOW! Yes, I'm back from my week off, so we can finally get on with a quick review of Monday's University Challenge final. A sad affair too, the final one of the Jeremy Paxman era. Most fitting, as I and others have said, that we finish his final series with a rematch of the very first game of the series!
Durham were the winners that first time out, and have also beaten Bangor, Southampton, U.C.L. and Royal Holloway, who they also narrowly lost to. Hoping for a third title for their university were:
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
Bristol haven't looked back since that defeat, beating Oriel of Oxford, Queen's of Belfast, Newnham, U.C.L. also and Southampton also for a cleaner run to the final. Hoping for a first ever UC title were:
Sam Kehler, from Wolverhampton, studying Medicine
Jacob McLaughlin, from Gloucester, studying Economics and Maths
Captain: Tess Richardson, from Reading, studying Chemistry
Alejandro Ortega, from Chalfont St Peter, studying Physics and Philosophy
So, off we set for the final time this series, and Mr Scully visibly beat at least two others to the buzzer to answer the first starter of the game; just one bonus followed from the first set though, and, while the Wearsiders did take the next two starters as well, only one of the six resultant bonuses followed. The first picture round, on locations of battles where royals were killed, gave Bristol their first points of the game, and, in contrast, they took a full set, which cut the gap to 40-25. Durham responded with another starter, and a full set of their own, which kept their heads above water as Bristol took a second full 25 of their own. After the music round, on orchestral works featuring prominant parts for an organ, Durham led 90-50.
Another very quick buzz from Mr Scully took Durham into three figures, but the bonuses didn't fall for them again, meaning Bristol were still very much in the game. Indeed, the Avonsiders then took two starters in a row, which, coupled with a Durham penalty, cut the gap to just 15 points. But Durham took the second picture round, on paintings depicting rowers, and two bonuses took their lead to 120-85. Another starter to Mr Scully and two bonuses meant Bristol just had to go for it to stand a chance. And go for it they did, as Mr Kehler took two starters in a row, and two bonuses from each set meant the gap was down to 15 points again. One final starter to decide the contest; Mr Kehler did the right thing and took a punt, but was wrong and lost five for a 'just an' interruption. Mr Scully swooped in, and that was game over. One bonus was taken before the gong; Durham won the game, and the series, 155-120.
Paxo rightly had some words of praise for both teams, before introducing the author Jung Chang, who said a few more words of praise, before Mr Ratcliffe stepped forwards to collect the trophy.
A fine final played well and in great spirit by both teams. Many congratulations to Durham, who are most worthy champions, and to Bristol too, who would've been as well. Well done both, an excellent end to a pretty decent series!
The stats: Mr Scully was the best buzzer of the night with six starters, meaning he ends the series their best buzzer with 34 over seven matches, while Mr Kehler was best for Bristol with four, though Mr McLaughlin was their best, and indeed THE best, of the series as a whole with 40 over seven matches. On the bonuses, Durham managed 12 out of 30 and Bristol 13 out of 18, and both sides incurred one penalty.
And that's it; we're done! But this is no ordinary series finale of course; it's also the final game of the Paxman era. I'll give some thoughts on the series as a whole in my 'series highlights' post next week, and my redundant starter stats post will be coming up tomorrow. But it only seems right that I give the final words to the outgoing host...
"University Challenge returns later in the year, and I look forward to watching it with you. So, it's good night from
me. Good night!"
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