University Challenge 2021-22: Round 2: Match 2: Emmanuel vs St Catharine's

Greetings friends! And welcome back for the second second round match of this year's UC! Last week, we saw a play-off winner play one of the lower scoring winning teams of the first round, and, tonight, we got that again. The winners of tonight's match would take the second place in the second round, with the runners-up, under the rather inconsistant, some might say unfair, yet best we've got if we're gonna elaborate, rules, going out...

Emmanuel College Cambridge were beaten narrowly by St Andrews in their first round match, but recovered two weeks ago with a comfortable enough play-off win over RNCM. They were unchanged from those previous games: 

Nicole Pullinger, from Hong Kong, studying English

Nicholas Thatte, from Oxford (originally Greece), studying Physics

Captain: Kara Malcolm, from Guildford (originally Capetown), studying Engineering

James Wrathall, from Mistley in Essex, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

 

St Catharine's College Cambridge came straight through to this round, beating University College Oxford in their first match on the final starter of the game to win 130-120. Looking very snazzy in their matching jumpers, they were also the same four as before: 

Jenny Hay, from South Lanarkshire, studying Theology, Religion and the Philosophy of Religion

Emma Dinnage, from London, studying Natural Sciences

Captain: Nick Scott, from London, studying Maths

Lydia Michaelides, from Saffron Walden, studying Veterinary Medicine

 

So off we set again, and the first starter was a tad confusing perhaps, but Ms Michaelides worked it out to open the scoring; her side, though, failed to add to their score with their first bonuses. Mr Wrathall was quickly set Emmanuel off as well, and they took two bonuses on their first set, before St Catharine's lost five on the next starter; their opponents didn't pick up, but Mr Thatte answered 'phobos' for the next starter and they took a full set on names ending 'lia'. The first picture round, on lists of awards won by EGOT winners, went to St Catharine's; one correct bonus left them trailing 45-20.

Mr Thatte looked like he was taking an educated guess on the next starter, but he was correct, and his side took two bonuses on scientific equipment. Mr Scott returned the favour as he took the next starter, but his side's struggles with the bonuses continued as they took just one. Emmanuel, in contrast, we making steady progress with their bonuses, taking two from their next set on the work of scientist Elizabeth Blackburn. Neither side identified Public Enemy for the music starter (I recognised the song from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, but didn't know the artist I'm afraid!); the bonuses, on rap songs that sample political speeches, went to St Catharine's, but they drew a blank on the bonuses, leaving them trailing 85-45.

Mr Wrathall increased Emmanuel's lead with the next starter, and another pair of bonuses took them into three figures first. And when Mr Thatte identified 'radon' for the next starter, and this solid form continued with another pair on place names, their lead was looking solid, but not insurmountable, if St Catharine's could finally get some luck with the bonuses. And that they did, as Ms Hay took the next starter and two bonuses on constellations were taken. They also took the second picture round, on paintings depicting the then-newly opened Eiffel Tower in the background, but they got nothing from the bonuses, again, leaving them trailing 125-75.

St Catharine's could still do it if the questions fell for them; Emmanuel obliged them with a penalty, but they couldn't pick it up. Ms Dinnage took the next starter though, and a full house on accents above an A put them right back in the game. Mr Wrathall gave Emmanuel more room to breathe with the next starter though, but it was their turn to draw a blank on the bonuses, none on red birds. Another starter would surely win it for them, but they lost another five instead; St Catharine's did pick up this time, and two bonuses put them within five points! But that was the gong! Emmanuel won 125-120.

Another low scoring game, but a close and exciting one at that, well played both teams there! Well done to Emmanuel and best of luck in the QFs! Hard lines to St Catharine's, who nearly pulled off a good fightback, and would've won it had the earlier bonuses fallen for them, but they gave two respectable accounts of themselves, thanks very much to them for playing!

The stats: Messrs Thatte and Wrathall and Ms Michaelides were the best buzzers of the night with three each for their respective teams. On the bonuses, Emmanuel managed 13 out of 21 (with two penalties) and St Catharine's 9 out of 24 (with one penalty).

Next week's match: no idea yet, keep an eye on my Twitter feed for any retweets I spot

Only Connect reached its second play-off match, and a second avoidable rematch in a row, with the Scrubs and the Librarians meeting again (why couldn’t one of these teams have played one of last week’s and vice versa?). They were level on 2-each after the first round, before the Scrubs eked out a 7-6 lead after the second. A dead heat on the Walls left them ahead 12-11 going into Missing Vowels, and they just about maintained it with another identically scoring final round to win 17-16!

 

Mastermind was won very narrowly by Will Vince, whose finished level on 23 points each with Joe Pugh and snuck the win courtesy of no passes to Mr Pugh’s two. Claire Filer and Lyn Anslow also took part, and finished with 20 and 15 respectively.

 

Brain of Britain reached it’s final, which quickly turned into a two horse race between Dave McBryan and Karl Whelan, both of whom scored six in the first round, with Alan Hodgson and Phil Small both scoring two, and they would match each other in all subsequent rounds, except the second, where Mr Whelan scored four to Mr McBryan’s two. This proved the difference in the end, with Mr Whelan winning the game, and the series, on 12, with Mr McBryan on 10 and Messrs Hodgson and Small on eight each. Congratulations to Mr Whelan, and thanks to all who took part for an enjoyable series!

University Challenge 2021-22: Round 2: Match 1: St John's vs Queen Mary

Good evening friends, and welcome back to JOW for the start of the second round of this year's University Challenge! This round is, of course, sudden death, with the winners being rewarded with a breather in the preliminary round of the QFs; it's not exactly a popular format, but, as has been posited many times before, its the fairest possible without dragging the series on interminably. Whoever won tonight would take the first place in the QFs...

St John's College Cambridge came through the play-offs, losing their first match to Imperial, before winning a very good play-off against U.C.L., eking out a big lead and surviving a scare as their opponents fought back ton win 175-170. They were the same four as before: 

Thomas Clark, from the USA and Japan, studying Linguistics  

Louie George, from Lyme Regis, studying Human Social and Political Sciences 

Captain: Jonathan Chan, from Cambridge, studying Veterinary Medicine

Kyanna Ouyang, from New Jersey, studying Natural Sciences

 

Queen Mary London came straight through to the second round after winning a low scoring match against Oxford Brookes, which they led throughout and ultimately triumphed 115-90, and ending that institution's record of always winning their first match. They were also unchanged from before: 

Ab Uthayakumar, from Chessington in London, studying Economics

Marcus Deal, from Hertfordshire, studying Medicine

Captain: Alex McGill, from Driffield in East Yorkshire, studying the Maths of General Relativity

Catherine Dominic, from Hull, studying Medicine

 

So, off we set for the first time this round, and Mr Chan, easily his side's MVP in the previous matches, started as he meant to go on by taking the first starter; the Cambridge side got off to a flyer with a full bonus set on fictional monsters. The St John's captain would also take the second starter of the game, and the third, with two bonuses following from both resulting bonus sets. Queen Mary got off the mark with the first picture round, on host cities of African Union summits; no bonuses followed though, leaving them trailing 65-10.

Mr McGill duly took a second starter in a row for the Londoners though, and fared better with their second bonus set, taking two. Mr Chan then reawoke though, taking a classic UC starter that required the word 'nacho' to be spelled using chemical formulae; the Cambridge side took one bonus on Indian cities. Queen Mary then unluckily lost five for a 'just an' interruption; St John's didn't pick it up, but Mr Clark took the next starter, and the one after too, and three bonuses from six took them into three figures. The music round, on waltzes from ballets, went to St John's, but nothing came from the bonuses; nonetheless, they led 125-25.

Queen Mary duly broke back into the game with Mr Deal doing the honours, giving them a bonus set on dogs in art, which they took one of. Mr Deal then took a second starter in a row, which lifted his side above 50, but bonuses on political treaties didn't add to their score. Back came St John's thanks to Ms Ouyang, but they too drew a blank on bonuses on early World Cups, unluckily swerving away from Chile at the last moment. The second picture starter was dropped, with Queen Mary then very harshly losing five for a 'literally only just an' interruption; the picture bonuses, on stills from films set in real time, which they took two of to increase their lead to 155-45.

The match looked as good as over, and Mr Chan seemed to confirm this by taking the next starter and his side took two bonuses on musicals, again, unluckily missing the third due to a last minute change of answer. Mr Clark took the next starter, though only one bonus followed this time, but it didn't really matter now. Mr Uthayakumar did the right thing and had a guess on the next starter, but zigged with 'cello', allowing Mr Chan to zag with 'violin' and move his side past 200. Two bonuses followed, and there was time for Mr Clark to take one more starter before the gong; St John's won 220-45.

A rather one-sided game it must be said, but still a watchable one between two pleasant times. Well done to St John's, another solid performance and another deserved win, best of luck in the QFs! Hard lines to Queen Mary, who were simply outplayed, but thanks very much indeed for taking part!

The stats: Mr Chan was, again, his side's best buzzer with seven, taking his series total thus far to 22, while Mr Deal was best for Queen Mary with three. On the bonuses, St John's managed 18 out of 36 and Queen Mary 3 out of 12 (with two very pedantic penalties).

Next week: St Catharine's return; I do know their opponents, but won't reveal them yet out of respect for my source...

Only Connect began its play-off matches with one of its classic avoidable rematches, with the Apollos and the Jukeboxers fighting it out again. The former led 3-1 after the first round, and 8-5 after the second (I got the Death in Paradise question, natch). A dropped connection each on the walls made it as you were, the Apollos led 15-12 going into Missing Vowels, and, unlike last time, they maintained their lead and won 17-14.

 

Mastermind was won by Gary McKenzie, whose 22 points and winning margin of four was off the back of a strong GK round after a close specialist round. Krittika Bhattacharya led after the specialists, but fell to second on 18 after GK; Alison Jay and former UC winner Julian Sutcliffe also competed, finishing with 16 and 17 respectively.

 

Brain of Britain’s fourth and final semi-final was won by Dave McBryan, who started slowly, then hit his stride in the later rounds to win with 15 points, five clear of Rachel Pagan in second, and will probably begin next week’s final as the tentative favourite. Derek Hayes and Liz Walliker also competed, finishing with 8 and 6 respectively, while the Beat the Brains questions were set by none other than Bobby Seagull!

University Challenge 2021-22: Repechage Play-Off 2: Emmanuel vs RNCM

Good evening friends, and welcome back! Last week's UC was the best in a long time and we were all no doubt hoping that this newfound momentum would carry on into this week after the rather low scoring first round. Whoever won tonight would take the final place in the second round, which starts next week, as does the Fantasy UC tournament on Twitter; best of luck to all those taking part in that this year! On we go with the game...

Emmanuel College Cambridge lost to St Andrews by just five points in their first match, leading for most of it, but being overtaken on the final round of questions of the game to lose 140-135. They were unchanged from that previous game: 

Nicole Pullinger, from Hong Kong, studying English

Nicholas Thatte, from Oxford (originally Greece), studying Physics

Captain: Kara Malcolm, from Guildford (originally Capetown), studying Engineering

James Wrathall, from Mistley in Essex, studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

 

The Royal Northern College of Music also scored 135 in their first match and were also narrowly beaten, by Dundee; trailing at first, they rallied back impressively, but were just pipped 145-135. They were also the same foursome as before: 

Keelan Carew, from Medway in Kent, studying Classical Piano

Dominic Wills, from Cambridgeshire, studying Composition

Captain: Leela Chrisp, from London, studying Vocal Studies and Opera

Alex Robarts, from Great Hormead in Hertfordshire, studying Vocal Studies and Opera

 

Off we set once again then, and it was Mr Carew who opened the scoring for the night identifying 'rogue' as the word linking the various given clues (sadly, 'precedes Spear in the name of a Tom Clancy video game' was not one of them!); bonuses on Roman emperors gave RNCM two correct bonuses. Emmanuel were quickly out of the blocks too thanks to Mr Wrathall, giving them a bonus set on place names ending in 'ham', which they took one of. A second in a row gave the Cambridge side the lead, as did two bonuses, before RNCM took the first picture round, on works of authors translated in different languages; a full set of bonuses took them into a 45-35.

An unfortunate penalty though allowed Emmanuel to quickly overtake them, and they took one bonus on kinetic art. Mr Thatte then took two starters in a row, but, in both cases, just one bonus was taken. The Cambridge side were winning on the buzzers, but profligacy on the bonuses meant they couldn't pull away, as demonstrated when they only took one from a fourth successive set (one of which, Paxo claimed Mr Carew was trying to restrain himself from shouting it out to them!). The music round, on piano pieces played by Dame Nitsuko Uchida, went to RNCM (natch), and they, in contrast, took a full set (natch) (Paxo: "Is that ridiculously easy?!" Mr Carew: "For me!"), which cut the gap to 95-65.

Emmanuel recovered with a starter to take them into three figures, and the bonuses finally fell for them, a full set on Indian festivals. A second starter and full bonus set to the Cambridge side and suddenly things looked a lot more comfortable for them. RNCM pulled one back though as Mr Robarts remembered that old chestnut about the tug of war being an event in early Olympic Games, and they took two bonuses to just about keep themselves in it. The second picture round, on winners of the  Women's Prize for Fiction, went to Emmanuel, who took one bonus to take their lead to 160-80.

As we saw last week, that's not insurmountable, as Ms Chrisp proved with a quick buzz of 'Les Miserables' on the next starter; bonuses on physics weren't to RNCM's liking, none taken, but a second starter in a row gave them bonuses on Franz Liszt, which they very much preferred, a full set. That was as close as they could get though, as Mr Thatte took the next starter and two bonuses pretty much confirmed the Cambridge side's victory. Two penalties in a row cut ten off their lead, but it didn't really matter now, and they recouped those points with the final starter; at the gong, Emmanuel won 180-115.

A good match I thought, played well by two pleasant and watchable teams, well played both! Well done to Emmanuel and best of luck in the second round! Hard lines to RNCM, but they gave a good account of themselves over their two games, thanks very much to them for playing!

The stats: Mr Thatte and Ms Malcolm were joint best buzzers of the night with four each, while Mr Carew and Ms Chrisp both took two each for RNCM. On the bonuses, Emmanuel managed 16 out of 30 and RNCM 13 out of 18, with both sides incurring two penalties.

Next week's match: the first second round match! Don't know who's playing, but hopefully we will midweek when the BBC updates their images on the website, and I'll tweet/retweet anything definite.

Only Connect completed its qualifying round with the Ramblers vs the Data Wizards. The Wizards led 4-1 after the first round, and that’s how the scores remained after an exceptionally tough second round where, for the first time in OC history, neither team scored any points at all! (I got the Beatles question) Two perfect walls soon made up for that, the Wizards led 14-11 going into Missing Vowels, which they fared better on to win 22-15.

 

Mastermind was won narrowly by Eleanor Ayres, a noted winner on WWTBAM not that long ago, whose 21 points saw her just pip second placed Mark Eaden, who led after the specialists, but didn’t fare as well on GK. Nigel Booth and Gill Woon also competed and finished with 17 and 18 respectively.

 

Brain of Britain’s third semi-final was the highest scoring one so far; Karl Whelan won with 15 points to take the penultimate place in the final; Alan Burns and John Payne finished joint second with 11 each and Toby Cox completed the line-up with six points.