Evening all. So, the last regular match of the year, before we pause for the festive fortnight, and the traditional series of Christmas specials, which start next Monday. Slight complications arising next week when one match is on a day later in Scotland, and the next match two days later as a result, but, if I get my calculations right, I should be able to cover everything reasonably undisrupted. Anyway, let's do this...
Goldsmiths College London won an entertaining if low scoring contest against the University of London's Paris Institute, leading throughout, and ultimately coming home 180-55 winners. Hoping for more of that tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Kesheva Guha, from Bangalore, studying Creative and Life Writing
Ieuan Cox, from Halifax, studying PPE
Captain: Diana Issokson, from New Orleans, studying History
Jamie Robinson, from Belfast, studying History
Glasgow came through a somewhat closer first round contest against Emmanuel of Cambridge, pulling ahead and just holding out in the final minutes for a 200-175 win, though their opponents survived to the play-offs and are already through. Hoping to join them were the also unchanged foursome of:
Lewis Barn, from Airdrie, studying Professional Legal Practice
Freya Whiteford, from Bonybridge near Falkirk, studying Physics with Astrophysics
Captain: James Hampson, from Helsby in Cheshire, studying Medicine
Cameron Herbert, from Burley-in-Wharfedale in West Yorkshire, studying Sociology and Quantatitive Methods
Off we set again then, and Goldsmiths started the match in unfortunate fashion with a penalty; Ms Whiteford picked up for Glasgow and two of the opening bonuses went with it. Mr Hampson very quickly came in on the next starter, but just the one bonus went with it this time, with Ms Whiteford claiming she'd get killed for not getting another of them! A third starter went to the Scots side, and another single bonus went with it. The first picture round, on actors CVs showing their track records at the Academy Awards, went to Glasgow, who, again, took just the one bonus (they'd have got another if they'd simply repeated their opponents' wrong answer to the starter), giving them a lead of 65-(-5).
Another unfortunate penalty dropped Goldsmiths back further, but Glasgow didn't quite get the question either. Mr Hampson resumed his side's buzzer dominance; a single bonus followed again, but, the way they were dominating on the buzzer at this point, this profligacy didn't look like it would matter that much. Mr Herbert's offer of 'the Soviet Union and Japan' furthered their advantage, but nothing came from the resulting bonuses. What looked like an educated guess of 'bluebell' gave the Scots a bonus set on 'literature and substance abuse', of which they, again, took just a single correct answer.
The music round, on music analysed by Susan McClary in her book Feminist Endings, featuring possibly the first ever appearance of Beethoven and Madonna in the same round(!), went to Glasgow, who took another sole correct bonus, giving them a 120-(-10). Yet another slip-up meant Goldsmiths had now equaled the record for lowest score reached on UC under Paxo, matched by New Hall of Cambridge in 1997-98 and Imperial three series ago. Ms Issokson finally got them going in the right direction though when she answered 'moss' to the next starter; two bonuses moved them back into positive scoring. Indeed, the Goldsmiths captain took a second starter in a row, and the London side took another two bonuses with it. The next starter was dropped, the next went to Mr Guha; one bonus followed this time, and when Mr Cox took the next, and the side claimed the first full bonus set of the night, on bears, they suddenly had pulled back to within touching distance.
The second picture round, on works from the Modern Art museum in Venice, went to Glasgow, who took one of the bonuses, increasing their lead to 135-65. Goldsmiths now seemed to have the momentum with them though, as Mr Guha was next to correctly answer a starter, and they pulled a second full house in a row out of the hat, and suddenly you sensed they might just pull this off.
Another penalty set them back though, Messrs Guha and Hampson both unlucky to offer 'gums' and 'the mouth' when 'teeth' was what Paxo was after. It didn't deter Mr Guha though, as he pulled his side closer still on the next starter, two bonuses took them into triple figures. Another started to Mr Guha, another pair of bonuses, and they were just ten behind! Paxo managed to fully ask the next starter, but that was the gong! Glasgow won 135-125!
A most exciting match, I don't think anyone saw that second half coming! Unlucky Goldsmiths, most unfortunate to fall just short, especially after THAT recovery, but no shame in going out on that performance, and another entertaining one as well, thanks very much for playing! Well done Glasgow though, and very best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Messrs Guha, Hampson and Herbert were joint best buzzers of the night, with four each. On the bonuses, Goldsmiths converted a very decent 15 out of 21 (with four damaging penalties), while Glasgow managed just 9 out of 27.
And that's it for regular UC for now; Christmas UC starts Monday, regular series resumes on January the 7th I'd imagine.
OC had its first eliminator match tonight, and its festive specials start tomorrow. Review of tonight on Wednesday I hope.
Monday, 17 December 2018
Thursday, 13 December 2018
Only Connect Series 14: Round 1: Match 8: Dragons vs Westenders
OK, here we go, one day later than I planned, but something happened that needed taking care of more urgently. Gives me a chance to ignore what's happening on EastEnders at least. Honestly don't know why I still watch it, haven't been interested in what's happening in it for some time, not to mention how predictable it's become; I mean, tonight's show was pretty good to be fair, but you could easily see the twist ending coming.
Anyway, playing on Monday were the Dragons, Niall Williams, Ian Welham and captain Lawrence Cook, and the Westenders, Tom Chisholm, Abbas Panjwani and captain Megan Stodel.
Round 1. The Dragons kicked off with Water, and the music set: we heard LCD Soundsystem with 'Get Innoculous', then 'Get Happy', then 'Get Ready' by The Temptations; they saw them to be songs instructing someone to do something, and collected two points. The Westenders opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'A (arrow) M', then 'A (arrow) P', then 'S (arrow P', and finally 'S (arrow) W'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: replacing the arrow with 'to' gives a word. The Dragons chose Two Reeds next: 'Hot rum & Egg-whites (cocktail)', then 'Simon & Garfunkel (former name)', then 'Good & Leadbetter (neighbours)'; they saw them to all be 'Tom and Jerry', and collected another two points. The Westenders chose Lion next: 'Planet Biyo', then 'JD Wetherspoon', then 'Harry Potter's son', and finally 'Lynyrd Skynyrd'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they were all named after teachers. For their own question, the Dragons chose 'Horn-ed' Viper, and got the picture set: we saw some orchids, then some plums, then a fast food packet of mustard, and finally a peacock. Having thought of it after two clues, they suggested 'slang words for testicles'; not correct! Their opponents offered that they are suspects in Cluedo for the bonus, Dr Orchid being the controversial replacement for Mrs White. VCM, incidentally, wrote a good article condemning that change in the Guardian; worth looking up and reading. She also started that, had they offered their 'testicles' answer after the second clue, she's have given them the points. Left with Eye of Horus for their own question, the Westenders saw 'Pulitzer Prize for Newspaper History', then 'Oscar for Best Title Writing', then 'BBC Young Plumber of the Year', and finally 'Olympic Gold medal for cricket'. They didn't quite get close enough for the point, nor did their opponents: they are prizes that were awarded once, and then discontinued. At the end of the first round, the Dragons led 5-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Dragons opened it with Eye of Horus: '4', then '1.5', and then '0.66666666...'. They saw them to be 4/1, 3/2 and 2/3, so '0.25' for 1/4 would be fourth. The Westenders chose Water next: 'het' (closest I can come to reproducing it, but the Russian word pronounced 'Nyet' in England), then 'December 31st', and then 'New York'. They saw them to be 'Nyet', 'NYE' and 'NY', so offered 'Nitrogen' for 'N' for the two points. The Dragons chose Lion next, and got the picture set: we saw Noah's Ark, then Judge Doom from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and then some knights in armour. They saw them to be Indiana Jones films (the knights referring to 'crusade', and suggested a skull for the points. The Westenders chose Twisted Flax next: 'Stamford Bridge', then 'Wembley Stadium', and then 'Millennium Stadium'. They suggested 'Wembley Stadium' again, and were correct for the two points, the sequence being hosts of the FA Cup Final. For their final choice, the Dragons chose Two Reeds: 'Tilden Hayes (1876)', then 'Cleveland Harrison (1888)', and then 'Gore Bush (2000)'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they are US elections where the winner didn't win the popular vote, so 'Clinton Trump (2016)' would be fourth. (Nice scheduling getting that out on the same night as those UC questions!) Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Westenders saw 'Z (Z)', then 'Y (W)', and then 'X (E)'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they're the letters that the letters began with if written out, so 'W (D)' would be fourth. At the end of a high quality second round, the Dragons led 10-6.
On to the Walls. The Westenders went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. They quickly had their first set: 'Ape', 'Clone', 'Mimic' and 'Parrot' are words meaning 'copy', and a second, 'Copy', 'File', 'Stringer' and 'Pool', which are terms in journalism, came in short order. The last clues fell in nicely after that: 'Silent', 'Beat', 'Lost' and 'Greatest' are generations, while 'Mail', 'Gear', 'Ice' and 'Chatter' can all precede 'box'. A well worked full ten that.
The Dragons thus set to work on the Lion wall. It proved a bit hardy to untangle, though they did eventually get two sets in short order: 'Gibson', 'C', 'Blanc' and 'Brooks' are surnames of famous people called Mel, while 'Rose', 'Noir', 'Or' and 'Vert' are French words for colours. They couldn't sort out what was left in their three goes though, so had to collect bonuses: 'Trigger', 'Eyeliner', 'Friendship' and 'Witchcraft' are words that end in boats, which they didn't see, while 'Foundation', 'Mascara', 'Rouge' and 'Powder' are types of make-up. Five points there, which meant they now trailed 16-15 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels would decide the show and who went in which direction. 'Things that can hang over us' went to the Westenders 3-1. 'Hokey-Coker instructions' went to Westenders 3-0. 'People who live(d) in hotels' went to the Westenders 2-1, and that was time. The Westenders won 24-17.
Another good show, decided on the last two rounds, but well played by both sides overall. Unlucky Dragons, well done Westenders, and best of luck when you return for your respective next games.
Next week's (regular) match: the Hotpots vs the Durhamites in the first eliminator. Followed by three Christmas specials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! I need to draw up some kind of schedule for all these reviews I'll be doing over the coming weeks I think.
Anyway, playing on Monday were the Dragons, Niall Williams, Ian Welham and captain Lawrence Cook, and the Westenders, Tom Chisholm, Abbas Panjwani and captain Megan Stodel.
Round 1. The Dragons kicked off with Water, and the music set: we heard LCD Soundsystem with 'Get Innoculous', then 'Get Happy', then 'Get Ready' by The Temptations; they saw them to be songs instructing someone to do something, and collected two points. The Westenders opened their account with Twisted Flax: 'A (arrow) M', then 'A (arrow) P', then 'S (arrow P', and finally 'S (arrow) W'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: replacing the arrow with 'to' gives a word. The Dragons chose Two Reeds next: 'Hot rum & Egg-whites (cocktail)', then 'Simon & Garfunkel (former name)', then 'Good & Leadbetter (neighbours)'; they saw them to all be 'Tom and Jerry', and collected another two points. The Westenders chose Lion next: 'Planet Biyo', then 'JD Wetherspoon', then 'Harry Potter's son', and finally 'Lynyrd Skynyrd'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they were all named after teachers. For their own question, the Dragons chose 'Horn-ed' Viper, and got the picture set: we saw some orchids, then some plums, then a fast food packet of mustard, and finally a peacock. Having thought of it after two clues, they suggested 'slang words for testicles'; not correct! Their opponents offered that they are suspects in Cluedo for the bonus, Dr Orchid being the controversial replacement for Mrs White. VCM, incidentally, wrote a good article condemning that change in the Guardian; worth looking up and reading. She also started that, had they offered their 'testicles' answer after the second clue, she's have given them the points. Left with Eye of Horus for their own question, the Westenders saw 'Pulitzer Prize for Newspaper History', then 'Oscar for Best Title Writing', then 'BBC Young Plumber of the Year', and finally 'Olympic Gold medal for cricket'. They didn't quite get close enough for the point, nor did their opponents: they are prizes that were awarded once, and then discontinued. At the end of the first round, the Dragons led 5-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Dragons opened it with Eye of Horus: '4', then '1.5', and then '0.66666666...'. They saw them to be 4/1, 3/2 and 2/3, so '0.25' for 1/4 would be fourth. The Westenders chose Water next: 'het' (closest I can come to reproducing it, but the Russian word pronounced 'Nyet' in England), then 'December 31st', and then 'New York'. They saw them to be 'Nyet', 'NYE' and 'NY', so offered 'Nitrogen' for 'N' for the two points. The Dragons chose Lion next, and got the picture set: we saw Noah's Ark, then Judge Doom from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and then some knights in armour. They saw them to be Indiana Jones films (the knights referring to 'crusade', and suggested a skull for the points. The Westenders chose Twisted Flax next: 'Stamford Bridge', then 'Wembley Stadium', and then 'Millennium Stadium'. They suggested 'Wembley Stadium' again, and were correct for the two points, the sequence being hosts of the FA Cup Final. For their final choice, the Dragons chose Two Reeds: 'Tilden Hayes (1876)', then 'Cleveland Harrison (1888)', and then 'Gore Bush (2000)'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they are US elections where the winner didn't win the popular vote, so 'Clinton Trump (2016)' would be fourth. (Nice scheduling getting that out on the same night as those UC questions!) Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Westenders saw 'Z (Z)', then 'Y (W)', and then 'X (E)'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they're the letters that the letters began with if written out, so 'W (D)' would be fourth. At the end of a high quality second round, the Dragons led 10-6.
On to the Walls. The Westenders went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. They quickly had their first set: 'Ape', 'Clone', 'Mimic' and 'Parrot' are words meaning 'copy', and a second, 'Copy', 'File', 'Stringer' and 'Pool', which are terms in journalism, came in short order. The last clues fell in nicely after that: 'Silent', 'Beat', 'Lost' and 'Greatest' are generations, while 'Mail', 'Gear', 'Ice' and 'Chatter' can all precede 'box'. A well worked full ten that.
The Dragons thus set to work on the Lion wall. It proved a bit hardy to untangle, though they did eventually get two sets in short order: 'Gibson', 'C', 'Blanc' and 'Brooks' are surnames of famous people called Mel, while 'Rose', 'Noir', 'Or' and 'Vert' are French words for colours. They couldn't sort out what was left in their three goes though, so had to collect bonuses: 'Trigger', 'Eyeliner', 'Friendship' and 'Witchcraft' are words that end in boats, which they didn't see, while 'Foundation', 'Mascara', 'Rouge' and 'Powder' are types of make-up. Five points there, which meant they now trailed 16-15 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels would decide the show and who went in which direction. 'Things that can hang over us' went to the Westenders 3-1. 'Hokey-Coker instructions' went to Westenders 3-0. 'People who live(d) in hotels' went to the Westenders 2-1, and that was time. The Westenders won 24-17.
Another good show, decided on the last two rounds, but well played by both sides overall. Unlucky Dragons, well done Westenders, and best of luck when you return for your respective next games.
Next week's (regular) match: the Hotpots vs the Durhamites in the first eliminator. Followed by three Christmas specials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! I need to draw up some kind of schedule for all these reviews I'll be doing over the coming weeks I think.
Monday, 10 December 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 2: Match 4: Clare vs St Edmund Hall
Evening all. So, the penultimate regular match of the series tonight; one more next week, and then we break for the usual two weeks of Christmas specials. Plus, I have since learned more about those special Only Connects I mentioned last week, and we shall be having a further two specials, for a total of four overall! How I'm going to review all those in order, I don't know; may have to hold some of them back for a bit I fear. Anyway, let's do this...
Clare College Cambridge won their first match against play-off survivors Hertford of Oxford, trailing for much of it, a well timed late sprint saw them snatch it on the last starter of the game for a 160-150 victory. Hoping for the same, only less close, tonight were the unchanged four of:
Anish Naik, from Enfield in London, studying Astrophysics
Matt Nixon, from Belfast, studying Astrophysics
Captain: Andrew Gurr, from Basingstoke, studying Law
Elijah Granet, from San Diego, California, studying Politics
St Edmund Hall Oxford had it slightly easier in their first match against York, leading throughout and ultimately winning by a comfortable margin of 240-105. Hoping for exactly more of the same tonight were the also unchanged foursome of:
Agastya Pisharody, from India and Basel, studying Material Science
Marceline Bresson, from the Netherlands, studying Economics and Management
Captain: Freddie Leo, from Berlin, studying History
Lizzie Fry, from Worcestershire, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and the ball set rolling for the night with 'charge' from Mr Nixon; a pair of bonuses went with it to get things going. Ms Bresson opened her side's account for the night, and her's for the series, when she took the next starter, but the Oxonians only took one bonus on the work of John Scott Russell. A penalty dropped Clare back level, but St Edmund Hall failed to pick up; Mr Granet recouped the lost points by taking the next starter, and his side also took just the one bonus. The Oxford side pulled level again thanks to a second starter to Ms Bresson and another solitary bonus. The first picture round, on straits, went to St Edmund Hall, who, again, took just the one bonus, but now had the lead 45-30.
A second starter in a row went to the Oxford skipper, by far their best player in the first round; a nice bonus set asking for the city that hosted the Olympics the year various listed events happened saw another solitary bonus go their way. Mr Pisharody opened the lead up further, and this time two bonuses were the accompaniment. The Oxford side moved into triple figures first as Mr Leo was first in with 'New Orleans', and another pair of bonuses, on early computing, went to them as well. The St Edmund Hall captain seemed to have the bit firmly in his teeth as he was quick in on the next starter; no bonuses followed, but his side had now opened up a healthy lead.
The music starter was dropped by both sides; the bonuses, on classical works commissioned for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, went to St Edmund Hall, who took two of them, giving them a lead of 130-30. And it was just getting bigger as a fourth correct starter in a row went to their captain; bonuses on Jane Fonda provided them with another two bonuses. Mr Leo just wasn't giving in as he promptly took another starter, giving his side on that old UC staple Chinese dynasties, of which, again, they took two. A sixth starter in a row went to the St Edmund Hall captain; just the one bonus followed this time, but his side had surely sewn the match up by now.
The picture round, on US presidents who won elections despite losing the popular vote (this week's OC crossover questions!), saw Clare finally break back into the game; two bonuses reduced their arrears to 185-50. A second starter in a row went to the Cambridge side, but just the one bonus followed this time. Mr Pisharody reawoke his side on the next starter, and the Oxonians broke past 200 with two bonuses from the obligatory set on chemical elements.
Going into the final minutes, it was just a question of how high both teams could get. Ms Fry made sure all four Oxonians had a bonus under their belts by taking the next starter, and, once again, a pair of bonuses went with it. Mr Naik then ensured all eight players had their name on the scoreboard; his side quickly banged out the first full bonus set of the night, on writers with three letter surnames. A second starter in a row deservedly took the Cambridge side into three figures, as did two bonuses on Hindu deities. Mr Granet buzzed next, but no answer came; Ms Bresson picked up the pieces, and bonuses on girls names invented by writers saw them take two (I got the one they didn't get). The last starter saw Clare go out on a high when, asked for a famous caricaturist, Mr Gurr offering an obvious joke guess of 'Deborah Meaden'! The gong came immediately after that, St Edmund Hall won 245-105.
Another high quality match, great showing from both sides, with that mid-game six starter run for Mr Leo winning the match. Unlucky Clare, undone by that run, but a respectable and entertaining effort to go out on, thanks very much indeed for playing! Very well done St Edmund Hall though, another strong victory over decent opposition, and very best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Leo was, again, by far and away best on the buzzer, ending with EIGHT starters to his name, while Messrs Gurr and Granet were joint best for Clare with two. On the bonuses, Clare converted a respectable 11 out of 18 (with two penalties), while St Edmund Hall managed 21 out of 42, and, as I said before, all eight players had a starter to show for the night.
Next week's game: I am informed it is Glasgow vs Goldsmiths
Only Connect had its last first round match tonight; review of that later in the week, Wednesday hopefully.
Clare College Cambridge won their first match against play-off survivors Hertford of Oxford, trailing for much of it, a well timed late sprint saw them snatch it on the last starter of the game for a 160-150 victory. Hoping for the same, only less close, tonight were the unchanged four of:
Anish Naik, from Enfield in London, studying Astrophysics
Matt Nixon, from Belfast, studying Astrophysics
Captain: Andrew Gurr, from Basingstoke, studying Law
Elijah Granet, from San Diego, California, studying Politics
St Edmund Hall Oxford had it slightly easier in their first match against York, leading throughout and ultimately winning by a comfortable margin of 240-105. Hoping for exactly more of the same tonight were the also unchanged foursome of:
Agastya Pisharody, from India and Basel, studying Material Science
Marceline Bresson, from the Netherlands, studying Economics and Management
Captain: Freddie Leo, from Berlin, studying History
Lizzie Fry, from Worcestershire, studying Geography
Off we set again then, and the ball set rolling for the night with 'charge' from Mr Nixon; a pair of bonuses went with it to get things going. Ms Bresson opened her side's account for the night, and her's for the series, when she took the next starter, but the Oxonians only took one bonus on the work of John Scott Russell. A penalty dropped Clare back level, but St Edmund Hall failed to pick up; Mr Granet recouped the lost points by taking the next starter, and his side also took just the one bonus. The Oxford side pulled level again thanks to a second starter to Ms Bresson and another solitary bonus. The first picture round, on straits, went to St Edmund Hall, who, again, took just the one bonus, but now had the lead 45-30.
A second starter in a row went to the Oxford skipper, by far their best player in the first round; a nice bonus set asking for the city that hosted the Olympics the year various listed events happened saw another solitary bonus go their way. Mr Pisharody opened the lead up further, and this time two bonuses were the accompaniment. The Oxford side moved into triple figures first as Mr Leo was first in with 'New Orleans', and another pair of bonuses, on early computing, went to them as well. The St Edmund Hall captain seemed to have the bit firmly in his teeth as he was quick in on the next starter; no bonuses followed, but his side had now opened up a healthy lead.
The music starter was dropped by both sides; the bonuses, on classical works commissioned for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, went to St Edmund Hall, who took two of them, giving them a lead of 130-30. And it was just getting bigger as a fourth correct starter in a row went to their captain; bonuses on Jane Fonda provided them with another two bonuses. Mr Leo just wasn't giving in as he promptly took another starter, giving his side on that old UC staple Chinese dynasties, of which, again, they took two. A sixth starter in a row went to the St Edmund Hall captain; just the one bonus followed this time, but his side had surely sewn the match up by now.
The picture round, on US presidents who won elections despite losing the popular vote (this week's OC crossover questions!), saw Clare finally break back into the game; two bonuses reduced their arrears to 185-50. A second starter in a row went to the Cambridge side, but just the one bonus followed this time. Mr Pisharody reawoke his side on the next starter, and the Oxonians broke past 200 with two bonuses from the obligatory set on chemical elements.
Going into the final minutes, it was just a question of how high both teams could get. Ms Fry made sure all four Oxonians had a bonus under their belts by taking the next starter, and, once again, a pair of bonuses went with it. Mr Naik then ensured all eight players had their name on the scoreboard; his side quickly banged out the first full bonus set of the night, on writers with three letter surnames. A second starter in a row deservedly took the Cambridge side into three figures, as did two bonuses on Hindu deities. Mr Granet buzzed next, but no answer came; Ms Bresson picked up the pieces, and bonuses on girls names invented by writers saw them take two (I got the one they didn't get). The last starter saw Clare go out on a high when, asked for a famous caricaturist, Mr Gurr offering an obvious joke guess of 'Deborah Meaden'! The gong came immediately after that, St Edmund Hall won 245-105.
Another high quality match, great showing from both sides, with that mid-game six starter run for Mr Leo winning the match. Unlucky Clare, undone by that run, but a respectable and entertaining effort to go out on, thanks very much indeed for playing! Very well done St Edmund Hall though, another strong victory over decent opposition, and very best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Leo was, again, by far and away best on the buzzer, ending with EIGHT starters to his name, while Messrs Gurr and Granet were joint best for Clare with two. On the bonuses, Clare converted a respectable 11 out of 18 (with two penalties), while St Edmund Hall managed 21 out of 42, and, as I said before, all eight players had a starter to show for the night.
Next week's game: I am informed it is Glasgow vs Goldsmiths
Only Connect had its last first round match tonight; review of that later in the week, Wednesday hopefully.
Wednesday, 5 December 2018
Only Connect Series 14: Round 1: Match 7: Ancient Alumni vs Three Peaks
OK, so apparently we're getting some Only Connect Christmas specials this year! Regular matches the next three Mondays, including Christmas Eve, plus a special Sports episode and a Champion of Champions episode, to be shown on the 18th and 19th. Shame they stopped doing those C of Cs every two series, but then the show has grown quite considerably in the last few series. Still, good to have some specials back, been missing the past two years.
Anyway, playing on Monday were the Ancient Alumni, Lindsay McBryan, Ailsa Watson (winner of Fifteen-to-One 2.0), and captain Dave McBryan (ditto), husband of Lindsay, and the Three Peaks, Lauren Probert, Peter Dawson and captain Ross Drayton.
Round 1. The Peaks went first, and kicked the match off with Lion: 'Jacob m. Leah and Rachel', then 'Charles Darwin m. Emma Wedgwood', then 'Albert Einstein m. Elsa Lowenthal nee Einstein'; they saw them to be marriages between first cousins, and collected two points. (I do believe the real life Christopher Robin Milne, son of AA, married his cousin too) The Alumni opened their account with Two Reeds: 'Fleet: circumnavigated world, 1907-09', then 'North: Canada', then 'Hope: James Earl Jones film', and finally 'Shark: Greg Norman'. That gave it to them: they are known as the 'Great White [former]'. The Peaks chose Twisted Flax next, and got the music round: we heard Otis Redding with 'I've Been Loving You Too Long', then 'Try Again' by Aaliyah, then Glenn Miller, and finally Buddy Holly. They were timed out before they could offer anything; their opponents offered that they all died in plane crashes for the bonus. (There is another alternative theory, unlikely I admit, that Glenn Miller actually died in a brothel in Paris!) For their own question, the Alumni chose Water, and got the pictures: we saw Sean Bean, then Galileo; they spotted that their forenames and surnames differ by just one letter, and collected three points. Good spot that! The Peaks chose Eye of Horus next: 'RIGHTO', then 'WINDO', then 'WANSEA', and finally 'ORCESTE'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they are UK cities with the first and last letter removed; precisely, the letters in question are those cities' post codes, but close enough for the first round. Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Alumni saw 'Boxed with the Dalai Lama', then 'Punched a polar bear', then 'Delivered a baby in Richmond Park'; they saw them to be things Brian Blessed has done, or claimed to at least, and collected two points. At the end of the first round, the Alumni led 8-2.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Peaks started it with Twisted Flax, and the picture set: we saw a chicken, then a deck chair. They saw it to be the Chicken song from Spitting Image, but went too far into the song, and offered 'someone speaking Arapaho'. Not right. Their opponents saw a jet plane, and offered 'some clothes being buried' for the bonus. For their own question, the Alumni chose Two Reeds: 'Sun 6', then 'Tue 7'; they saw them to be days of the week with the number of letters increasing, and offered 'Wed 9' for the three points. The Peaks chose Eye of Horus next: 'Governor-General Sir William Deane', then 'President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos', and then 'President Hu Jintao'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are the people who opened the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008, so 'Queen Elizabeth II' for 2012 would come fourth. For their own question, the Alumni chose Lion: 'Kije', then 'Kirk', and then 'Barbara'. They didn't see it in time, and their opponents didn't either: they can follow ranks in the Army (Lieutenant Kije, Captain Kirk and Major Barbara), so something that can follow Colonel, such as 'Mustard' would suffice. For their final choice, the Peaks chose Water: 'Looks like', then 'Walks like', and then 'Quacks like'; they saw it to be the Duck Test (which I mainly know from an episode of Death in Paradise), and offered 'Is a', which was close enough for two much needed points. ('Is' or 'Probably is' would've been more precise) Left with Horned Viper again, the Alumni saw 'Chaos', then 'Elbow', and then 'Emphasis'. Neither side saw this excellent cryptic connection: Chaos said aloud would start with a K, Elbow with an L and Emphasis with an M, so something that sounds like it starts with an N, such as 'Engine' would be right. At the end of the second round, the Alumni led 13-4.
On to the Walls. The Alumni had the chance here to put the game beyond realistic reach, and thus chose the Water wall to try and do so with. They quickly had a first set, 'Boundary', 'Square', 'Pavilion' and 'Crease' are parts of a cricket field, followed quickly by a second: 'Shafted', '3-2-1', 'Tipping Point' and 'Tenable' are ITV game shows. (Shafted, of course, being the one with Robert Kilroy-Silk that HIGNFY shows repeatedly) They then made short work of what was left: 'Sightscreen', 'Catchphrase', 'Knightsbridge' and 'Festschrift' are words with six consecutive consonants, while 'Oeuvre', 'Anthology', 'Compendium' and 'Digest' are collections of writing. A quickly and well solved full ten there.
The Peaks thus set to work on the Lion wall. After a few wrong attempts, they had a set in the bag: 'Grime', 'Jungle', 'Crunk' and 'Dubstep' are genres of music. A second set, 'Ulva', 'Muck', 'Mull' and 'Rum' are islands of the Hebrides. That done, they also had it solved on their first attempt: 'Skye', 'Rubble', 'Marshall' and 'Chase' are characters form the cartoon series 'PAW Patrol', while 'Gunk', Dreck', 'Smut' and 'Crud' are words for dirt. Another well worked out full ten, so as you were, the Alumni led 23-14 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to end the show, with the Peaks needing a shutout to stand a chance. 'Things located in Leicester', such as 'KING POWER STADIUM' and 'DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY' went to the Alumni 4-0. 'Things the presenter of University Challenge might say'(!), such as 'ANOTHER STARTER QUESTION NOW' and 'YOU MAY NOT CONFER', went to the Alumni 2-0, with the Peaks getting one right but one wrong. 'Things that come in batches of eight' went to the Peaks 1-0, and that was time; the Alumni won 29-15.
Another good, if a bit one sided, game; excellent crossover in the final round too! Unlucky Peaks, well done Alumni, definitely a team to watch this series; best of luck both teams in your next matches!
Next week's match: Dragons vs Westenders
Anyway, playing on Monday were the Ancient Alumni, Lindsay McBryan, Ailsa Watson (winner of Fifteen-to-One 2.0), and captain Dave McBryan (ditto), husband of Lindsay, and the Three Peaks, Lauren Probert, Peter Dawson and captain Ross Drayton.
Round 1. The Peaks went first, and kicked the match off with Lion: 'Jacob m. Leah and Rachel', then 'Charles Darwin m. Emma Wedgwood', then 'Albert Einstein m. Elsa Lowenthal nee Einstein'; they saw them to be marriages between first cousins, and collected two points. (I do believe the real life Christopher Robin Milne, son of AA, married his cousin too) The Alumni opened their account with Two Reeds: 'Fleet: circumnavigated world, 1907-09', then 'North: Canada', then 'Hope: James Earl Jones film', and finally 'Shark: Greg Norman'. That gave it to them: they are known as the 'Great White [former]'. The Peaks chose Twisted Flax next, and got the music round: we heard Otis Redding with 'I've Been Loving You Too Long', then 'Try Again' by Aaliyah, then Glenn Miller, and finally Buddy Holly. They were timed out before they could offer anything; their opponents offered that they all died in plane crashes for the bonus. (There is another alternative theory, unlikely I admit, that Glenn Miller actually died in a brothel in Paris!) For their own question, the Alumni chose Water, and got the pictures: we saw Sean Bean, then Galileo; they spotted that their forenames and surnames differ by just one letter, and collected three points. Good spot that! The Peaks chose Eye of Horus next: 'RIGHTO', then 'WINDO', then 'WANSEA', and finally 'ORCESTE'. They didn't see it, their opponents did: they are UK cities with the first and last letter removed; precisely, the letters in question are those cities' post codes, but close enough for the first round. Left with Horned Viper for their own question, the Alumni saw 'Boxed with the Dalai Lama', then 'Punched a polar bear', then 'Delivered a baby in Richmond Park'; they saw them to be things Brian Blessed has done, or claimed to at least, and collected two points. At the end of the first round, the Alumni led 8-2.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Peaks started it with Twisted Flax, and the picture set: we saw a chicken, then a deck chair. They saw it to be the Chicken song from Spitting Image, but went too far into the song, and offered 'someone speaking Arapaho'. Not right. Their opponents saw a jet plane, and offered 'some clothes being buried' for the bonus. For their own question, the Alumni chose Two Reeds: 'Sun 6', then 'Tue 7'; they saw them to be days of the week with the number of letters increasing, and offered 'Wed 9' for the three points. The Peaks chose Eye of Horus next: 'Governor-General Sir William Deane', then 'President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos', and then 'President Hu Jintao'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are the people who opened the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008, so 'Queen Elizabeth II' for 2012 would come fourth. For their own question, the Alumni chose Lion: 'Kije', then 'Kirk', and then 'Barbara'. They didn't see it in time, and their opponents didn't either: they can follow ranks in the Army (Lieutenant Kije, Captain Kirk and Major Barbara), so something that can follow Colonel, such as 'Mustard' would suffice. For their final choice, the Peaks chose Water: 'Looks like', then 'Walks like', and then 'Quacks like'; they saw it to be the Duck Test (which I mainly know from an episode of Death in Paradise), and offered 'Is a', which was close enough for two much needed points. ('Is' or 'Probably is' would've been more precise) Left with Horned Viper again, the Alumni saw 'Chaos', then 'Elbow', and then 'Emphasis'. Neither side saw this excellent cryptic connection: Chaos said aloud would start with a K, Elbow with an L and Emphasis with an M, so something that sounds like it starts with an N, such as 'Engine' would be right. At the end of the second round, the Alumni led 13-4.
On to the Walls. The Alumni had the chance here to put the game beyond realistic reach, and thus chose the Water wall to try and do so with. They quickly had a first set, 'Boundary', 'Square', 'Pavilion' and 'Crease' are parts of a cricket field, followed quickly by a second: 'Shafted', '3-2-1', 'Tipping Point' and 'Tenable' are ITV game shows. (Shafted, of course, being the one with Robert Kilroy-Silk that HIGNFY shows repeatedly) They then made short work of what was left: 'Sightscreen', 'Catchphrase', 'Knightsbridge' and 'Festschrift' are words with six consecutive consonants, while 'Oeuvre', 'Anthology', 'Compendium' and 'Digest' are collections of writing. A quickly and well solved full ten there.
The Peaks thus set to work on the Lion wall. After a few wrong attempts, they had a set in the bag: 'Grime', 'Jungle', 'Crunk' and 'Dubstep' are genres of music. A second set, 'Ulva', 'Muck', 'Mull' and 'Rum' are islands of the Hebrides. That done, they also had it solved on their first attempt: 'Skye', 'Rubble', 'Marshall' and 'Chase' are characters form the cartoon series 'PAW Patrol', while 'Gunk', Dreck', 'Smut' and 'Crud' are words for dirt. Another well worked out full ten, so as you were, the Alumni led 23-14 going into the final round.
So, Missing Vowels to end the show, with the Peaks needing a shutout to stand a chance. 'Things located in Leicester', such as 'KING POWER STADIUM' and 'DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY' went to the Alumni 4-0. 'Things the presenter of University Challenge might say'(!), such as 'ANOTHER STARTER QUESTION NOW' and 'YOU MAY NOT CONFER', went to the Alumni 2-0, with the Peaks getting one right but one wrong. 'Things that come in batches of eight' went to the Peaks 1-0, and that was time; the Alumni won 29-15.
Another good, if a bit one sided, game; excellent crossover in the final round too! Unlucky Peaks, well done Alumni, definitely a team to watch this series; best of luck both teams in your next matches!
Next week's match: Dragons vs Westenders
Monday, 3 December 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 2: Match 3: Edinburgh vs U.C.L.
Evening all. So, a year ago tomorrow, these two institutions played each other in the second round of last year's contest, and it proved a cracking contest, ultimately won by five points on the last starter of the game. 364 days later, they played again in this year's second round. Same situation as before, winners go out, losers unfortunate to go home this early.
Edinburgh comfortably defeated Sidney Sussex of Cambridge in their first round match, despite a rather slow start, they picked up the momentum in the later stages and ultimately won 210-75. Hoping for more of the same tonight were the unchanged four of:
Matt Booth, from Bristol, studying Maths
Marco Malusa, from Italy, studying Economics and Politics
Captain: Max Fitz-James, from Burgundy, studying Cell Biology
Robbie Campbell Hewson, from Edinburgh, studying Maths
U.C.L., appropriately given last night's football fixtures, played a derby against neighbours King's of London in their opener, surviving a late barrage by their opponents to win 180-145; so a lower score, but achieved against a team good enough to survive to the play-offs, a close match looked to come again tonight. They were also the same foursome as before:
George Mitkov, from Warwickshire, studying French and German
Sophia Walker, from Boulder, Colorado, studying Translation
Captain: Robert Johnstone, from Worcester Park in Surrey, studying Medical Imaging
Feiyu Fang, from Leicester, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and U.C.L., who lost this fixture last season, opened their account first with Mr Johnstone identifying 'work' as the thing various authors were describing (I knew it from the Jerome K Jerome quote); one bonus on business terms went with it. Mr Fang took a second in a row, and fruit in poetry proved more to the Londoners' liking, a full set. A third came from Ms Walker, their top player first time around, but a complicated astronomy bonus set didn't add to their score. Mr Fitz-James did the right thing and had an early punt on the next starter, but only managed to drop five; U.C.L. did the honours, and bonuses on the band X-Ray Spex gave them two right answers. The first picture round, on that old UC staple word clouds, of major philosophical works this time, took Edinburgh off the mark; a full set reduced their arrears to 70-20.
A prompt buzz from Mr Johnstone reasserted his side's control though; bonuses on two classic quiz staples, Shakespeare and chemical elements, gave the London side two correct again. The U.C.L. captain then proved he knows his famous Chase questions, knowing the lammergeier to be a vulture; another two bonuses took the side within sight of a three figure lead. Mr Malusa brought Edinburgh back into the game though, taking the next starter, but no bonuses went the Scots side's way.
Mr Fitz-James recognised 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay' for the music starter, making that this week's tie-in question with OC! And the crossing over wasn't done there, as one of the bonuses, on whistling in pop music, was 'Walk Like an Egyptian', which was on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue in Pick Up Song this evening! Edinburgh took a much needed full set of those, cutting the gap to 110-55. Another twenty was taken off it in short order as U.C.L. incurred two penalties in a row, and Mr Fitz-James picked up the second of them; another full set, and his side were suddenly just twenty behind. Mr Fang decided that was enough of that and recouped his side's lost points; one bonus was taken. Another slip-up dropped the lead back again, and a very impressive prompt buzz from the Edinburgh captain, plus yet another full set, cut the gap to just five points. Up it went again though, Mr Johnstone offering 'clarinet', and a full bonus set of their own went with it.
The second picture round, on paintings from the first impressionist exhibition, went to Edinburgh, who took yet another full house, setting the gap back to 135-130 and setting up a grandstand finish. Ms Walker blinked first, and offered 'motif' to move her side ahead again; bonuses on the Joshua Tree provided two correct answers, and no mention of U2 or Pointless either!
Back struck Edinburgh with Mr Malusa identifying regions of Norway; bonuses on biology provided the Scots side with yet another full set, putting the sides on level pegging. Mr Fitz-James' answer of 'proteins' gave his side the lead for the first time of the night, but they failed to hammer home this advantage, only taking a single bonus on ninth symphonies. Back fought U.C.L. with Mr Johnstone doing the honours, but his side were unable to reclaim the lead, missing all the bonuses, leaving them five behind. Next starter would win it surely. Ms Walker buzzed first... but was wrong! Mr Fitz-James swooped... and was right! And that was the gong, Edinburgh won 180-160!
A cracking contest, well played by both sides, most unfortunate that this is a sudden death match. Unlucky U.C.L., who, as Paxo said, just didn't quite make it over the line, but a respectable performance to go out on nonetheless, thanks for playing! Very well done Edinbugh though, an excellent recovery and another strong performance, and very best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Fitz-James was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Johnstone's five. On the bonuses, Edinburgh converted a very good 19 out of 24 (with one penalty), while U.C.L. managed an also respectable 16 out of 30 (with four penalties), so it was on the buzzer, but also largely on the bonuses, that the game was won.
Next week's match: according to a few contestants on Twitter, Clare vs St Edmund Hall
Only Connect continued its high quality of the series so far tonight, review of that on Wednesday I hope.
Edinburgh comfortably defeated Sidney Sussex of Cambridge in their first round match, despite a rather slow start, they picked up the momentum in the later stages and ultimately won 210-75. Hoping for more of the same tonight were the unchanged four of:
Matt Booth, from Bristol, studying Maths
Marco Malusa, from Italy, studying Economics and Politics
Captain: Max Fitz-James, from Burgundy, studying Cell Biology
Robbie Campbell Hewson, from Edinburgh, studying Maths
U.C.L., appropriately given last night's football fixtures, played a derby against neighbours King's of London in their opener, surviving a late barrage by their opponents to win 180-145; so a lower score, but achieved against a team good enough to survive to the play-offs, a close match looked to come again tonight. They were also the same foursome as before:
George Mitkov, from Warwickshire, studying French and German
Sophia Walker, from Boulder, Colorado, studying Translation
Captain: Robert Johnstone, from Worcester Park in Surrey, studying Medical Imaging
Feiyu Fang, from Leicester, studying Physics
Off we set again then, and U.C.L., who lost this fixture last season, opened their account first with Mr Johnstone identifying 'work' as the thing various authors were describing (I knew it from the Jerome K Jerome quote); one bonus on business terms went with it. Mr Fang took a second in a row, and fruit in poetry proved more to the Londoners' liking, a full set. A third came from Ms Walker, their top player first time around, but a complicated astronomy bonus set didn't add to their score. Mr Fitz-James did the right thing and had an early punt on the next starter, but only managed to drop five; U.C.L. did the honours, and bonuses on the band X-Ray Spex gave them two right answers. The first picture round, on that old UC staple word clouds, of major philosophical works this time, took Edinburgh off the mark; a full set reduced their arrears to 70-20.
A prompt buzz from Mr Johnstone reasserted his side's control though; bonuses on two classic quiz staples, Shakespeare and chemical elements, gave the London side two correct again. The U.C.L. captain then proved he knows his famous Chase questions, knowing the lammergeier to be a vulture; another two bonuses took the side within sight of a three figure lead. Mr Malusa brought Edinburgh back into the game though, taking the next starter, but no bonuses went the Scots side's way.
Mr Fitz-James recognised 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay' for the music starter, making that this week's tie-in question with OC! And the crossing over wasn't done there, as one of the bonuses, on whistling in pop music, was 'Walk Like an Egyptian', which was on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue in Pick Up Song this evening! Edinburgh took a much needed full set of those, cutting the gap to 110-55. Another twenty was taken off it in short order as U.C.L. incurred two penalties in a row, and Mr Fitz-James picked up the second of them; another full set, and his side were suddenly just twenty behind. Mr Fang decided that was enough of that and recouped his side's lost points; one bonus was taken. Another slip-up dropped the lead back again, and a very impressive prompt buzz from the Edinburgh captain, plus yet another full set, cut the gap to just five points. Up it went again though, Mr Johnstone offering 'clarinet', and a full bonus set of their own went with it.
The second picture round, on paintings from the first impressionist exhibition, went to Edinburgh, who took yet another full house, setting the gap back to 135-130 and setting up a grandstand finish. Ms Walker blinked first, and offered 'motif' to move her side ahead again; bonuses on the Joshua Tree provided two correct answers, and no mention of U2 or Pointless either!
Back struck Edinburgh with Mr Malusa identifying regions of Norway; bonuses on biology provided the Scots side with yet another full set, putting the sides on level pegging. Mr Fitz-James' answer of 'proteins' gave his side the lead for the first time of the night, but they failed to hammer home this advantage, only taking a single bonus on ninth symphonies. Back fought U.C.L. with Mr Johnstone doing the honours, but his side were unable to reclaim the lead, missing all the bonuses, leaving them five behind. Next starter would win it surely. Ms Walker buzzed first... but was wrong! Mr Fitz-James swooped... and was right! And that was the gong, Edinburgh won 180-160!
A cracking contest, well played by both sides, most unfortunate that this is a sudden death match. Unlucky U.C.L., who, as Paxo said, just didn't quite make it over the line, but a respectable performance to go out on nonetheless, thanks for playing! Very well done Edinbugh though, an excellent recovery and another strong performance, and very best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Fitz-James was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Johnstone's five. On the bonuses, Edinburgh converted a very good 19 out of 24 (with one penalty), while U.C.L. managed an also respectable 16 out of 30 (with four penalties), so it was on the buzzer, but also largely on the bonuses, that the game was won.
Next week's match: according to a few contestants on Twitter, Clare vs St Edmund Hall
Only Connect continued its high quality of the series so far tonight, review of that on Wednesday I hope.
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Only Connect Series 14: Round 1: Match 6: Brews vs Forrests
OK, here's Only Connect. And is it me, or is Victoria's intros becoming more and more similar to those on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue? Another this week that could feasibly have come straight out of Jack Dee's script?
Anyway, playing were the Brews, Andy Christley, James Buchanan and captain Daniel Foskett, and the Forrests, Jenny Forrest, Belinda Weir and captain Oliver Forrest, son of Belinda and brother of Jenny, who may or may not have appeared on UC back in the 2012/13 series.
Round 1. The Forrests kicked the match off with Twisted Flax, and the picture set: we saw musician 'T-Bone' Burnett, then Sir Ian Botham, aka Beefy, then Ram John Holder as Porkpie from Desmond's, and finally the singer Meat Loaf. They spotted the link, and collected a point. The Brews opened their account with Two Reeds: 'Cheap', then '9', then 'Gimme'; they saw them to be words that repeated three times give the name of TV shows, and picked up two there. ('Location' would, naturally, have been the last one) The Forrests chose Horned Viper next: '1958: Broke the record of Chu Chin Chow', then '1974: Moved to St Martin's', then '2002: 50th anniversary', and finally '2012: 25000th performance'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are notable milestones of the play 'The Mousetrap'. For their own question, the Brews chose Eye of Horus, and got the music set: we heard the theme from 'Inspector Wexford', then Status Quo with 'Down Down', then the theme to 'Dr Kildare', and finally Ed Sheeren singing 'Galway Girl'. Neither side spotted the link, they are Irish counties. The Forrests chose Water next: 'Isn't it in French', then 'Won Premier League with Leicester and Chelsea', then 'Seven Seconds singer', and finally 'Capital of Chad'. They only knew the second as 'N'Golo Kanta', and suggested that they all end 'olo'; not right. Their opponents swooped and offered that they all start with 'N'', correct for the bonus. Left with Lion for their own question, the Brews saw 'Obscured preservation process', then 'Cloaked tree'; that was enough for them to gamble, offering that the first words have, hidden within them, a word corresponding to the subsequent definition ('obsCURE', and 'clOAKed', while the remaining clues would've been 'Concealed alcoholic beverage' or 'conceALEd', and 'Hidden division of the psyche' or 'hIDden'), and they received three points for that. At the end of the first round, the Brews led 7-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Forrests began with Twisted Flax, and the picture set again: we saw Mick Jagger, then a sewing gather, and then Dr No. Neither side spotted it: they are 'A Rolling Stone', 'Gathers', and 'No', so, for example, Kate Moss or Moss from The IT Crowd, would complete the set. The Brews chose Horned Viper next: '4th RFV', then '3rd EDC', and then '2nd WSX'. Again, neither side saw what was happening: they are the fourth, third and second letters on the three rows of a typewriter/keyboard, so '1st QAZ' would come fourth. The Forrests chose Lion next: 'Monkeys', then 'Lives', and then 'Degrees of Separation'. They offered 'Blind Mice', reasoning that they could be preceded by multiples of three going down. Close enough for the points, the actual sequence in mind was film titles, so 'Amigos' would've been a more suitable solution. The Brews chose Two Reeds next: 'Tent group', then 'Century', and then 'Cohort'. They saw it to be Roman regiments, and guessed that they were increasing in size, offering 'Legion'; correct for the points. For their final choice, the Forrests chose Water: '(e.g.) Nanny Ogg', then 'A flat disc', and then 'Four elephants'. They saw it to be the structure of the Universe in the Discworld series, so offered 'A turtle' for the two points. Left with Eye of Horus, the Brews saw 'Adriaan Paulen (middle-distance runner)', then 'Primo Nebiolo (long jumper)', and then 'Lamine Diack (long jumper)'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are presidents of the IAAF, so 'Sebastian Coe (middle-distance runner)' would be fourth. At the end of the second round, the Brews led 9-5.
On to the Walls. The Brews took their turn to go first, and chose the Water wall. A tough wall it proved. After numerous wrong guesses, they eventually had a set: 'Catalonia', 'New Mexico', 'Vietnam' and 'Soviet Union' are all bearers of red and yellow/gold flags. That was all they could find though, so bonuses to be had: 'Kon-Tiki', 'Cique du Soleil', 'Sunday' and 'Helium' are all named after the Sun, which they didn't get, 'Inside Job', 'Amy', 'When We Were Kings' and 'Man On Wire' are winners of the Best Documentary Oscar, which they did get, while 'China', 'Goodnight', 'Island' and 'Barbie' can all precede 'Girl' to give song titles. A tough wall, just three points there.
The Forrests thus had a chance to catch up/pull ahead as they set to work on the Lion wall. Their wall proved about as hard, but they did make progress with it. After much studying, they had a set: 'Bing', 'Frank', 'Bigwig' and 'Bugs' are fictional rabbits. A second set eventually came too: 'Wing', 'Whale', 'Guard' and 'Honourable' can all follow 'Right'. With not much time left, they quickly tried to solve, and had it on their final go: 'Goth', 'Vandal', 'Lombard' and 'Angle' are ancient or medieval tribes, while 'Rascal', 'Ferdinand', 'Dynamite' and 'Harvey' are the last words in the names of Mercury Prize winning acts. A very hard but well earned full ten there, which gave them a lead of 15-12 going into the last round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish as usual and decide who went which way in the series. 'Online security questions' went to the Forrests 3-1. 'Things that are sticky', such as 'TREACLE' and '(A) STICK', was another 3-1 to the Forrests. 'Things from the Great British Bake-Off' went to the Brews 3-1. 'Brothers Grimm fairy tales' went to the Forrests 2-(-1), and that was time. The Forrests won 24-16.
Another good game, decided on that very tricky wall round, but well played by both sides nonetheless. Unlucky Brews, well done Forrests, best of luck in your respective next games!
Next week's match: Ancient Alumni vs Three Peaks
Anyway, playing were the Brews, Andy Christley, James Buchanan and captain Daniel Foskett, and the Forrests, Jenny Forrest, Belinda Weir and captain Oliver Forrest, son of Belinda and brother of Jenny, who may or may not have appeared on UC back in the 2012/13 series.
Round 1. The Forrests kicked the match off with Twisted Flax, and the picture set: we saw musician 'T-Bone' Burnett, then Sir Ian Botham, aka Beefy, then Ram John Holder as Porkpie from Desmond's, and finally the singer Meat Loaf. They spotted the link, and collected a point. The Brews opened their account with Two Reeds: 'Cheap', then '9', then 'Gimme'; they saw them to be words that repeated three times give the name of TV shows, and picked up two there. ('Location' would, naturally, have been the last one) The Forrests chose Horned Viper next: '1958: Broke the record of Chu Chin Chow', then '1974: Moved to St Martin's', then '2002: 50th anniversary', and finally '2012: 25000th performance'. They didn't get it, their opponents did: they are notable milestones of the play 'The Mousetrap'. For their own question, the Brews chose Eye of Horus, and got the music set: we heard the theme from 'Inspector Wexford', then Status Quo with 'Down Down', then the theme to 'Dr Kildare', and finally Ed Sheeren singing 'Galway Girl'. Neither side spotted the link, they are Irish counties. The Forrests chose Water next: 'Isn't it in French', then 'Won Premier League with Leicester and Chelsea', then 'Seven Seconds singer', and finally 'Capital of Chad'. They only knew the second as 'N'Golo Kanta', and suggested that they all end 'olo'; not right. Their opponents swooped and offered that they all start with 'N'', correct for the bonus. Left with Lion for their own question, the Brews saw 'Obscured preservation process', then 'Cloaked tree'; that was enough for them to gamble, offering that the first words have, hidden within them, a word corresponding to the subsequent definition ('obsCURE', and 'clOAKed', while the remaining clues would've been 'Concealed alcoholic beverage' or 'conceALEd', and 'Hidden division of the psyche' or 'hIDden'), and they received three points for that. At the end of the first round, the Brews led 7-1.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Forrests began with Twisted Flax, and the picture set again: we saw Mick Jagger, then a sewing gather, and then Dr No. Neither side spotted it: they are 'A Rolling Stone', 'Gathers', and 'No', so, for example, Kate Moss or Moss from The IT Crowd, would complete the set. The Brews chose Horned Viper next: '4th RFV', then '3rd EDC', and then '2nd WSX'. Again, neither side saw what was happening: they are the fourth, third and second letters on the three rows of a typewriter/keyboard, so '1st QAZ' would come fourth. The Forrests chose Lion next: 'Monkeys', then 'Lives', and then 'Degrees of Separation'. They offered 'Blind Mice', reasoning that they could be preceded by multiples of three going down. Close enough for the points, the actual sequence in mind was film titles, so 'Amigos' would've been a more suitable solution. The Brews chose Two Reeds next: 'Tent group', then 'Century', and then 'Cohort'. They saw it to be Roman regiments, and guessed that they were increasing in size, offering 'Legion'; correct for the points. For their final choice, the Forrests chose Water: '(e.g.) Nanny Ogg', then 'A flat disc', and then 'Four elephants'. They saw it to be the structure of the Universe in the Discworld series, so offered 'A turtle' for the two points. Left with Eye of Horus, the Brews saw 'Adriaan Paulen (middle-distance runner)', then 'Primo Nebiolo (long jumper)', and then 'Lamine Diack (long jumper)'. They didn't get it, nor did their opponents: they are presidents of the IAAF, so 'Sebastian Coe (middle-distance runner)' would be fourth. At the end of the second round, the Brews led 9-5.
On to the Walls. The Brews took their turn to go first, and chose the Water wall. A tough wall it proved. After numerous wrong guesses, they eventually had a set: 'Catalonia', 'New Mexico', 'Vietnam' and 'Soviet Union' are all bearers of red and yellow/gold flags. That was all they could find though, so bonuses to be had: 'Kon-Tiki', 'Cique du Soleil', 'Sunday' and 'Helium' are all named after the Sun, which they didn't get, 'Inside Job', 'Amy', 'When We Were Kings' and 'Man On Wire' are winners of the Best Documentary Oscar, which they did get, while 'China', 'Goodnight', 'Island' and 'Barbie' can all precede 'Girl' to give song titles. A tough wall, just three points there.
The Forrests thus had a chance to catch up/pull ahead as they set to work on the Lion wall. Their wall proved about as hard, but they did make progress with it. After much studying, they had a set: 'Bing', 'Frank', 'Bigwig' and 'Bugs' are fictional rabbits. A second set eventually came too: 'Wing', 'Whale', 'Guard' and 'Honourable' can all follow 'Right'. With not much time left, they quickly tried to solve, and had it on their final go: 'Goth', 'Vandal', 'Lombard' and 'Angle' are ancient or medieval tribes, while 'Rascal', 'Ferdinand', 'Dynamite' and 'Harvey' are the last words in the names of Mercury Prize winning acts. A very hard but well earned full ten there, which gave them a lead of 15-12 going into the last round.
So, Missing Vowels to finish as usual and decide who went which way in the series. 'Online security questions' went to the Forrests 3-1. 'Things that are sticky', such as 'TREACLE' and '(A) STICK', was another 3-1 to the Forrests. 'Things from the Great British Bake-Off' went to the Brews 3-1. 'Brothers Grimm fairy tales' went to the Forrests 2-(-1), and that was time. The Forrests won 24-16.
Another good game, decided on that very tricky wall round, but well played by both sides nonetheless. Unlucky Brews, well done Forrests, best of luck in your respective next games!
Next week's match: Ancient Alumni vs Three Peaks
Monday, 26 November 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 2: Match 2: Hertford vs Manchester
Evening all. Thanks to Innis Carson on Twitter for revealing this week's fixture for us on Saturday. Another potentially good match in prospect too, against two teams who, like last week, are unfortunate to be playing each other in the sudden death round, thus ensuring one wouldn't reach the group stage. It really is time the second round draw was properly seeded I think.
Hertford College Oxford, like Emmanuel last week, appearing for the second time in three weeks, were narrowly beaten first time out by Clare of Cambridge, but made up for it with an impressive 215-165 over Exeter in their play-off. Hoping to carry on that momentum and ensure both play-off survivors reached the group stage for the first time since 2011-12 were the unchanged four of:
Stefi Woodgate, from South London, studying Biology
Pat Taylor, from Warwick, studying Physics
Captain: Richard Tudor, from Stourbridge, studying History
Chris Page, from Orpington in London, studying English Literature
Manchester (The Team Everyone Wants to Beat) came straight through after winning a low scoring but enjoyable first round match against East London, where the lead went back and forth before a well time spurt saw the four time champs win 155-135. Hoping to reach the group stage for the first time in five series were the also unchanged foursome of:
Alex Antao, from Chingford in London, studying Mathematical Logic
Georgia Lynott, from Burnley, studying Applied Maths
Captain: James Ross, from Coventry, studying Classics and Ancient History
Joe Hanson, from Gravesend, studying Data Intensive Science
Off we set again then, and Mr Tudor picked up where his side left off last time, offering 'bureau' in such a way that caused Paxo to tell him off for being 'so dismissive'! The Oxonians set their stall firmly out with a full bonus set on unbuilt cities. What looked like an educated guess from Mr Page added to that score, but, in sharp contrast, no bonuses from set no 2 followed. Mr Hanson opened the scoring for Manchester with 'Mexico City', and they too kicked off with a full bonus set, a classic UC set on chemical symbols and US postcodes. Back came Hertford with Mr Page doing the honours again, and two bonuses followed. The first picture round, on maps of the world with the countries sizes altered to denote how prolific a certain fuel source is, went to Manchester, who took a pair of bonuses, cutting their arrears to 55-45.
Mr Page was most unfortunate on the next starter, asking for the name that linked, among others, the actor who played John Book in the film Witness; he offered 'Ford' instead of 'Harrison', then instantly realised his error. Mr Ross took the pickup, and the Mancunians took the lead with a solitary bonus. Two starters in a row were then dropped, before Mr Page reignited proceedings by identifying 'Sandwich' as the Kent town that linked the various clues. One bonus was enough to give the Oxonians the lead back. Manchester promptly reclaimed it with Mr Antao supplying 'B and R' as the only consonants in the names of, amongst others, a soft French cheese (Brie) and a fictional elephant (Babar); a full bonus set was duly taken in what was proving a good back and forth contest.
The music starter was dropped; the bonuses, on pieces by students of Nadia Boulanger, went to Hertford; one correct was enough to tie the game at 80-each. To add to the resulting tension, three starters in a row were dropped; this standoff ended when Mr Antao came in with 'Zoroastrianism', and his side took two bonuses from the obligatory Shakespeare set of the week. Now into triple figures, Manchester had the momentum with them, as Mr Ross very promptly snapped up the next starter; again, two bonuses were followed, including a good piece of captaining from Mr Ross, who overruled a suggestion from a teammate that he thought was wrong, and was right to do so!
The second picture round, on self portraits of the artist at work, went to Manchester, who took a sole bonus this time, but had now opened up a lead of 135-80. Hertford promptly awoke from their slumber with Mr Page doing the honours; two bonuses took them into three figures, and set up a tense final straight.
A second starter in a row went to Mr Page, but Hertford only took a single bonus on British exploration in Africa. Mr Antao then moved Manchester a step closer to victory, but the side failed to add to their score with the bonuses. A second starter in a row went to their left winger though, and one bonus on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, with another unluckily missed, pretty much secured the win. An excellent trick question followed, asking how many cardinal numbers between 2 and 10 were spelt the same in Spanish and Italian; the answer, which neither team got, being none! Manchester's win was confirmed for sure when Mr Antao took the next, and a full bonus set on African capitals just ran up the score and margin. At the gong, Manchester won 185-115.
Another good game, well played by both sides, unfortunate that one must go at this stage. Unlucky Hertford, but nothing to be ashamed of in that performance, thanks very much indeed for playing! Well done to Manchester though, on a good performance and well earned win, and best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Antao was the best buzzer of the night with six, while Mr Page was best for Hertford with five. On the bonuses, Hertford converted 10 out of 21, while Manchester managed 18 out of 30, and both sides incurred one penalty; so both sides more or less equal on the bonuses, it was a game won on the buzzer.
Next week's match: again, I don't know yet, but I shall enquire.
Only Connect continued tonight as well with a match notable for two very tough walls; review of that on Wednesday hopefully.
Hertford College Oxford, like Emmanuel last week, appearing for the second time in three weeks, were narrowly beaten first time out by Clare of Cambridge, but made up for it with an impressive 215-165 over Exeter in their play-off. Hoping to carry on that momentum and ensure both play-off survivors reached the group stage for the first time since 2011-12 were the unchanged four of:
Stefi Woodgate, from South London, studying Biology
Pat Taylor, from Warwick, studying Physics
Captain: Richard Tudor, from Stourbridge, studying History
Chris Page, from Orpington in London, studying English Literature
Manchester (The Team Everyone Wants to Beat) came straight through after winning a low scoring but enjoyable first round match against East London, where the lead went back and forth before a well time spurt saw the four time champs win 155-135. Hoping to reach the group stage for the first time in five series were the also unchanged foursome of:
Alex Antao, from Chingford in London, studying Mathematical Logic
Georgia Lynott, from Burnley, studying Applied Maths
Captain: James Ross, from Coventry, studying Classics and Ancient History
Joe Hanson, from Gravesend, studying Data Intensive Science
Off we set again then, and Mr Tudor picked up where his side left off last time, offering 'bureau' in such a way that caused Paxo to tell him off for being 'so dismissive'! The Oxonians set their stall firmly out with a full bonus set on unbuilt cities. What looked like an educated guess from Mr Page added to that score, but, in sharp contrast, no bonuses from set no 2 followed. Mr Hanson opened the scoring for Manchester with 'Mexico City', and they too kicked off with a full bonus set, a classic UC set on chemical symbols and US postcodes. Back came Hertford with Mr Page doing the honours again, and two bonuses followed. The first picture round, on maps of the world with the countries sizes altered to denote how prolific a certain fuel source is, went to Manchester, who took a pair of bonuses, cutting their arrears to 55-45.
Mr Page was most unfortunate on the next starter, asking for the name that linked, among others, the actor who played John Book in the film Witness; he offered 'Ford' instead of 'Harrison', then instantly realised his error. Mr Ross took the pickup, and the Mancunians took the lead with a solitary bonus. Two starters in a row were then dropped, before Mr Page reignited proceedings by identifying 'Sandwich' as the Kent town that linked the various clues. One bonus was enough to give the Oxonians the lead back. Manchester promptly reclaimed it with Mr Antao supplying 'B and R' as the only consonants in the names of, amongst others, a soft French cheese (Brie) and a fictional elephant (Babar); a full bonus set was duly taken in what was proving a good back and forth contest.
The music starter was dropped; the bonuses, on pieces by students of Nadia Boulanger, went to Hertford; one correct was enough to tie the game at 80-each. To add to the resulting tension, three starters in a row were dropped; this standoff ended when Mr Antao came in with 'Zoroastrianism', and his side took two bonuses from the obligatory Shakespeare set of the week. Now into triple figures, Manchester had the momentum with them, as Mr Ross very promptly snapped up the next starter; again, two bonuses were followed, including a good piece of captaining from Mr Ross, who overruled a suggestion from a teammate that he thought was wrong, and was right to do so!
The second picture round, on self portraits of the artist at work, went to Manchester, who took a sole bonus this time, but had now opened up a lead of 135-80. Hertford promptly awoke from their slumber with Mr Page doing the honours; two bonuses took them into three figures, and set up a tense final straight.
A second starter in a row went to Mr Page, but Hertford only took a single bonus on British exploration in Africa. Mr Antao then moved Manchester a step closer to victory, but the side failed to add to their score with the bonuses. A second starter in a row went to their left winger though, and one bonus on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, with another unluckily missed, pretty much secured the win. An excellent trick question followed, asking how many cardinal numbers between 2 and 10 were spelt the same in Spanish and Italian; the answer, which neither team got, being none! Manchester's win was confirmed for sure when Mr Antao took the next, and a full bonus set on African capitals just ran up the score and margin. At the gong, Manchester won 185-115.
Another good game, well played by both sides, unfortunate that one must go at this stage. Unlucky Hertford, but nothing to be ashamed of in that performance, thanks very much indeed for playing! Well done to Manchester though, on a good performance and well earned win, and best of luck in the group stage!
The stats: Mr Antao was the best buzzer of the night with six, while Mr Page was best for Hertford with five. On the bonuses, Hertford converted 10 out of 21, while Manchester managed 18 out of 30, and both sides incurred one penalty; so both sides more or less equal on the bonuses, it was a game won on the buzzer.
Next week's match: again, I don't know yet, but I shall enquire.
Only Connect continued tonight as well with a match notable for two very tough walls; review of that on Wednesday hopefully.
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