Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 7: University Challenge R1M7, Only Connect R1M6, Mastermind Heat 6

Good evening again my friends, and welcome to another Quizzy Monday! Before we get on to tonight's festivities, a quick follow-up to last week and my mistaken belief that Ms Jackson-Orland from last week's OC had already been on the show before. Both she and regular commenter Paul Gilbert suggest I may have been confusing her with Charlotte Jackson who was on the show for the Time Ladies in 2018; I can't say for sure whether this was the case, but it certainly sounds possible. Whatever the case, thanks to both for commenting! Anyway, on with tonight, beginning with UC...

 

Trinity College Cambridge is appearing on a fourteenth series of the BBC era tonight; it won the very first BBC series in 1994-95, and then did so again in this blog's early years in 2013-14, and had previously done so in the 70s; its last team were semi-finalists two series ago. Playing for this this series were:

Piers Marchant, from Sunbury-on-Thames, studying History

Alessandro D'Attanasio, from London, studying Physics

Captain: Yusuf Khand, from Liverpool, studying Physics

Lily Kearney, from Backwell near Bristol, studying Systems Biology  

 

Linacre College Oxford has appeared in two previous BBC series, in 2006-07 and 2020-21, but they haven't yet won a match in that time, going out in the play-offs the second time around and only just missing out on them the first time. This year's team consisted of:

Owen Finlay, from Toronto, studying English

Louise Vincent, from Rio de Janeiro, studying Education

Captain: Charlie Hamilton, from Wakefield, studying Infectious Disease Modelling

Sean Telford, from Chester, studying Materials  

 

Trinity got off to the stronger start, taking the first three starters and a solid haul of bonuses, while their opponents were restricted to a penalty. After the first picture round, Trinity led 90-(-5). Another penalty to Linacre, another starter to Trinity and they already had a three figure lead, and AR gave Linacre a 'plenty of time'. It seemed to work as they did finally get a couple of starters right to get back into positive equity. But Mr Marchant very quickly took the next two starters, including the music starter, and, after the music round, which included those old UC favourites Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Trinity led 150-20.

 

Another starter pushed Trinity further ahead, but Linacre then managed to get a run together and pulled out of the Sub 50 Club; they also took the second picture round, after which they'd cut the gap to 160-75. Another starter to Linacre and suddenly they weren't that far behind. Trinity now reawoke though and confirmed their win with two starters and one full set of bonuses. Another starter took Linacre into three figures, and a full set of bonuses of their own took them onto the repechage board. But a forgivable penalty pushed them back onto its sidelines on level pegging with Cardiff; Trinity picked it up and thus reached 200. At the gong, Trinity won 210-115.

 

A good high quality contest that, with Trinity easy winners, but Linacre giving a very good account of themselves. Well done Trinity, a fine first performance; best of luck in the next round! Hard lines to Linacre, but they fought back valiantly to reach a respectable score and came across well in doing so; thanks very much for playing!

 

The stats: Mr Marchant was, easily, the best buzzer of the night with seven starters, while Messrs Finlay and Telford and Ms Vincent all got two each for Linacre. On the bonuses, Trinity managed 22 out of 33 (with two penalties) and Linacre 12 out of 21 (with three penalties) and, for the second week in a row, all eight players got at least one starter right.

 

Next week's match: Lincoln (my cousin's current place of study making its UC debut!) vs Lancaster

 

Only Connect’s sixth first round heat saw us meet the Pitchers, Alexia Jarvis (Mastermind alumnus), Jonathan Gibson (UC alumnus and, of course, the youngest ever Mastermind champion) and captain Paddy Pamment (another Mastermind alumnus), and the Benchwarmers, Hannah Fitton, Sam Morris and captain Kai Laddiman.

 

I think I just about got the first question about manipulating water at the same point as the Pitchers, while my Dad claims the same point as them on the ‘Whatever happened to’ question and on the picture question; they led 6-5 at the end of a high quality first round. We both claims three points on the Off question in the second round, and my Dad just about worked out the Pavlov question at the same time the Pitchers did; they led 13-12 after that.

 

The Benchwarmers went first on the Walls, and took their time, but worked everything out in the end for a full ten. The Pitchers also took it slowly and carefully, but worked out all the groups and the connections; another full ten, so as you were, they led 23-22 going into Missing Vowels. “This is either going to be very close or very one sided” I remarked at the start of the round! In the end, it wasn’t quite either, but the Pitchers fared better and won the show 30-24. Excellent game, well done both teams, and very best of luck in your next matches!

 

Next week’s match: Jive Bunnies vs Sorcerers

 

Mastermind was narrowly won by Max Bougeard, whose 19 points saw him just win out over Susannah Croft and Jonathan Wilkins, who both scored 17, while Courtney Campbell, who I think I’ve seen on TV before but I’m not sure where, wasn’t far behind either with 16.

 

And that's it, we're done for another week! Thanks as ever for reading. Next week, as I said before, my cousin's current university makes its UC debut; as far as I know, she won't be appearing, but you never know! Plus, we'll meet our penultimate two OC teams, meaning my favourite round will soon be over. Anyway, I'll be back with that and more same time same place next week, so, see yous then...

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 6: University Challenge R1M6, Only Connect R1M5, Mastermind Heat 5

Good evening again my friends, and welcome back to another Quizzy Monday! And, for the first time in a few weeks, we have no extreme weather here tonight; it is postitively average instead! Anyway, on with tonight's quizzing; coming up, another heat of Mastermind, and an edition of Only Connect that I appear to have foreseen four years ago! But firstly, on with UC, and something of a derby between two institutions who were with us last series...

 

Cardiff were knocked out in the second round last series; this series is its tenth of the BBC era, of which its best two performances were quarter-final appearances in 1997-98 and 2013-14. Representing them this series, and partly introducing themselves in Welsh pleasingly, were:

Harri Slaughter, from Wrexham, studying Medicine

Aeron Wheel, from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, studying Maths and Stats

Captain: Carenza Danko, from Didcot, studying Biochemistry

Freddie Lancett, from the Forest of Dean, studying Social Sciences  

 

Bristol is appearing in a 20th BBC series, and, as the chairman indirectly pointed out, its eleventh in the last twelve; its last two teams have reached the semis of the last series and been runners-up of the final Paxo-era series three years ago. This year's quartet consisted of:

Lewis Jenkins, from Swansea, studying Maths

Lois Connolly, from Brighton, studying Liberal Arts

Captain: Hugo Goodwill, from Surrey, studing Aerospace Engineering

Nathaniel Joyce, from Southampton, studying Biology  

 

Cardiff got off the marks first with a starter and two bonuses, but Bristol took the next two and all but one of the resulting six bonuses, to give them an early lead. They also took the first picture round, and another full house meant they led 70-20. Cardiff responded well by taking two starters of their own, and half the resulting bonuses; but Bristol bounced back with a double of their own, including the music round, after which they had reached three figures, leading 105-55.

 

The game continued in the same vein, with Bristol maintaining their lead, but Cardiff keeping themselves in touching distance. A starter and a full set of bonuses on cheese production gave Bristol more room to breath, but Cardiff took the second picture round, which allowed them to cut the gap to 140-90. Both sides incurred a penalty each, before Cardiff rebounded and reached three figures, reducing the gap to 35 with just a few minutes to go. That would be as close as they got though, as Bristol made a late rally with two starters and all but one of the resulting bonuses to win the game. Cardiff did take the final starter, ensuring they at least make it onto the repechage board for at least one week. At the gong, Bristol won 180-115.

 

A good contest, solid play from both teams, but Bristol had the better of both the buzzers and the bonuses and were worthy winners in the end. Well done them, and best of luck next time! Hard lines to Cardiff, who probably won't be back in the repechage, but gave a fair account of themselves; thanks to them for playing!

 

The stats: Mr Jenkins was the best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Lancett was best for Cardiff with four. On the bonuses, Cardiff managed 10 out of 21 (with one penalty) and Bristol a pretty good 20 out of 27 (with two penalties) and, for the third time this series, all eight players got at least one starter right.

 

Next week's match: Trinity Cambridge vs Linacre Oxford

 

Only Connect’s fifth first round heat was contested by the Scanners, Julie-Ann Moreland, Neelaksh Sadhoo and captain Steve Ash, whose name sounds familiar but I’m not sure where from (WWTBAM maybe?), and the Worker Bees, Cath Foster, Peter Flynn and captain Charlotte Jackson-Orland, who I appeared to think had already done OC when she was on Brain of Britain a few years ago; well, she has now!

 

My parents claim two points on the ‘synonyms for drunk’ question in the first round, and I was about to get the ‘stripy tops’ question when the Scanners did; the Bees led 4-1 at the end of that round. I half-claim the World Cup question in the second round as I worked it out but didn’t know what a proper answer would be; I definitely claim two points on the first female holders of the Great Offices of State. The Scanners had turned it around to lead 9-6 at the end of that.

 

The Scanners went first on the Walls, and correctly worked out two groups, but failed to get the other two in their three tries; they did get three connections though, so five points. Highlight of the Bees’ wall was ‘Dave Clark’ being a clue! Of course, the LAM webmaster had nothing to do with it, though it did give us this week's crossover with UC! They took their time and worked out all the groups, but also only got three connections; seven points meant they now trailed 14-13 going into Missing Vowels. The Bees had the better of that though to turn the game around again, and then ended up winning 21-18. Well done both teams, another excellent contest, and best of luck in your next games!

 

Next week’s match: Pitchers vs Benchwarmers

 

Mastermind was won by Robert Cohen, whose total of 20 points saw him easily win over Katie Stoyle with 15, Maxim Sinclair with 13 and Liz Bain with 9.

 

And that's it, we're done for another week! Thanks very much as ever for reading, and here's hoping the calm conditions outside can be maintained for as many more weeks as possible this season! Back next Monday, same time same place as usual, so, see yous then I guess...

Quizzy Mondays 2025-26 Week 5: University Challenge R1M5, Only Connect R1M4, Mastermind Heat 4

Hello again my friends, and welcome back to JOW for another Quizzy Monday! Much better than last week as well, due to a lack of strong winds, though the heat in my flat is almost as strong this evening(!), and the presence of Mastermind in the line-up! Even if I don't review it as thoroughly this time. Coming up, that plus our first UC alumni of the series (that I know of) on OC, which reminds me I need to finally update that list of mine once the first round of UC is done. Speaking of which...

 

Manchester is appearing in a 23rd BBC series; it had something of a Golden Age on the show between 2004-05 and 13-14, reaching at least the semis in every series it appeared in, winning three and being retroactively awarded a fourth. The bubble burst after that though, though they have reached the QFs twice and the SFs of AR's first series; last year, they went out in the first round. Playing for them this year were:

Ray Power, from Bangkok, studying English Literature and Film

Kirsty Dickson, from Morley Green in Cheshire, studying Medicine

Captain: Kai Madgwick, from Fowey in Cornwall, studying AI in Astrophysics

Rob Faulkner, from Norwich, studying Physics with Astrophysics  

 

New College Oxford, in contrast, is only appearing in its fourth BBC series. Its first, the very first BBC series, saw its team finish runners-up to the Trinity Cambridge team of Meesrs Blanchflower and Kwarteng. Its second was a first round exit, while its third, in 2012-13, one of Manchester's four wins, saw them reach the semis. It also won the second ever series of UC way back in 1965. They were represented by:

Benji Stimpson, from North Norfolk, studying Conservation Biology

Paige Crawley, from Toronto, studying Lingustics

Captain: Jonah Poulard, from North West London, studying Russian and Linguistics

Daan Timmers, from Utrecht, studying Theoretical Physics  

 

The two sides shared the first two starters of the match, but neither took any of the resulting bonuses. Manchester took the next two starters though and, after the first picture round, they led 55-10. Both sides then lost five points, but it was Manchester who picked up their opponents' drop and two bonuses followed. New College broke back, and took two bonuses on the 1954 World Cup final, and were unfortunate not to get the third due to not knowing Jack Charlton's first name! The sides continued to swap starters and, after the music round, Manchester led 90-35.

 

New College took another starter and sole bonus to reach 50, but Manchester's captain Mr Madgwick, who'd been doing all the heavy lifting so far, took another two starters and a solid haul of bonuses. And, when Ms Dickson took Manchester's third in a row and all three bonuses followed, they had a potentially match winning lead. New College did take the second picture round, after which they'd cut the gapt to 160-65. The Oxonians got a bit of a late run on the buzzer to reach three figures, but surely it was too late? Or maybe not; Manchester lost ten points on two successive starters, New College picked up one of them, and suddenly were only five behind! And then the next starter gave them the lead! Only for Manchester to finally reawake and immediately take it back! Next starter would win it; Mr Poulard buzzed first, but was wrong! That man Mr Madgwick obliged, and that was game over. At the gong, Manchester won 170-150.

 

A very exciting match indeed; well played both teams! Well done Manchester, and best of luck in the second round! Hard lines to New College, who did very well indeed to recover that much ground in so little time, and who'll hopefully be back in the repechage; thanks for playing for now though, superb effort!

 

The stats: Mr Madgwick was, by far and away, the best buzzer of the night with NINE(!) starters, while Ms Crawley was best for New College with four. On the bonuses, Manchester managed 18 out of 27 (with four penalties) and New College 12 out of 30 (with two penalties), so it was the bonuses that won it for Manchester.

 

Next week's match: Cardiff vs Bristol

 

Only Connect’s fourth first round heat was contested by the 5ks, Fiona Titcombe, Thomas Carey and captain James Haughton (UC alumnus who had the misfortune to be part of one of the Manchester teams from just after their afore-mentioned Golden Age ended), and the Showstoppers, Lowri Williams, Rhys Davies and captain Tom Parry-Jones (also formerly of UC).

 

I claim the same point as the 5ks on the changed their name to George question in the first round; the Showstoppers led 6-1 at the end of that. I also claim the same two points as the 5ks on the presidents of South Africa question in the second round, and the same two points as the Showstoppers on the compass points and Baby Shark questions (I apologise for that!); the latter led 10-5 after that.

 

The 5ks went first on the Walls, and methodically worked out all the groups, but only got three connections, so seven points. The Showstoppers only worked out one group, but did get all the connections, so five points, which meant their lead had been cut to 15-12 going into Missing Vowels. They maintained and increased their lead in that though, and ran out winners 22-16. Well played both teams, another enjoyable contest; best of luck in your next games.

 

Next week's match: Scanners vs Worker Bees 

 

Mastermind’s fourth heat was won by Miles Searle, who was fourth after the SS round, but turned the game on its head with the best GK round to win with 22 points, two ahead of Devon Krohn in second with 20. Hannah Mimiec and Basab Majumdar also competed, scoring 19 and 15 respectively.

 

And that's another week in the bag! Thanks as ever for reading, and here's hoping next week will be as thrilling as this was! Back same time same place as usual next Monday with my usual write-up, so, see yous then...