University Challenge 2023-24: Second Round Review and Quarter-Final Preview

OK, so, we've arrived at the first UC quarter-finals of the Amol Rajan era! I was hoping that the new era might mean a switch away from the inconsistant format, but it appears they've decided to carry on with this format for now at least. Maybe, once AR has had a couple more series to settle in, they'll have a rethink. Anyway, lets see if I can do this without making any stupid mistakes this time...

Out eight quarter-finalists, listed in order of qualification and with their overall and average scores, are:

• Trinity College Cambridge (625 over three matches, 208.33)
• Open (675 over three matches, 225)
• Christ Church Oxford (335 over two matches, 167.5)
• U.C.L. (415 over two matches, 207.5)
• Manchester (390 over two matches, 195)
• Birkbeck (375 over two matches, 187.5)
• Sheffield (420 over two matches, 210)
• Imperial (535 over two matches, 267.5)

So, those are the raw stats, as ever; now to read between the lines and determine the most likely quarter-finalists.

Well, lets start with Imperial, who, as the highest scoring unbeaten team and having beaten two very decent teams very competent opponents en route, will surely begin as huge favourites to progress.

Then we have the two repechage survivors, Trinity and Open. The former only lost the first round on a tie-breaker, but comfortably won their play-off and then narrowly won an utter stormer of a second round match. Open, meanwhile, were well beaten in the first round, but then won both their games since very easily indeed. I'd say both have a very solid chance of progression.

Manchester themselves, after that afore-mentioned first round win, soundly defeated Edinburgh, one of the second round favourites. So, two wins over two most impressive teams; that surely gives them a solid chance as well.

Sheffield looked very impressive with a high score in their first round match, but were much lower scoring in the second. If they can recapture the first round form, however, they definitely shouldn't be written off.

U.C.L. have won both their games well enough thus far without being spectacular in doing so (though they did beat the impressive Hertford team who beat Open in the first round). Birkbeck have won both their games very narrowly, but against good teams both teams. Both have a chance in the right circumstances, but are probably outsiders.

And, finally, Christ Church, the lowest scoring team left, albeit they defeated two good teams to get here. You'd probably say they're the least likely semi-finalists, but we said the same of Royal Holloway last series and look what happened there.

As usual, it'll probably be a question of who plays who when.

The BBC website reveals the first two preliminaries to be Manchester vs Birkbeck and Sheffield vs Imperial. Those both sounds like good matches, provided both teams play to their full potential in both fixtures; I'd probably go for Manchester and Imperial to win, but nothing should be taken for granted.

As for the teams involved, we have an Oxford team in the round for the first team since three series ago, albeit just the one. Cambridge has just the one two. London, meanwhile, has three, albeit only two are part of the federal university.

 

So, in short, I'd go, at a push, for Imperial, Manchester and the two repechage teams to go through, but nothing would surprise me. These are, as ever, all excellent teams, all of whom would be worthy semi-finalists. Best of luck to all of them; hopefully the round will continue the excellent form of the series so far!

Back on Monday with my usual write-up; so, see you then I guess.

University Challenge 2023-24: Round 2: Match 8: Lincoln vs Imperial

Good evening again friends, and welcome back to Quizzy Mondays! We've arrived at the end of the second round of the contest, always the most brutal round, but especially so this year where so many strong teams have unluckily fallen early. And, whoever won, tonight's game would be no exception, as two teams who both won comfortably in their first match met for the last place in the QFs, which start next week...

 

Lincoln College Oxford beat King's College London easily in their first match, racing into the lead and only allowing their opponents back in once the game was won; the final winning score 225-65. They were the same foursome as before:

Ella Warde, from Cambridge, studying Maths and Statistics

Mehmet Tatoglu, from Umraniye, Istanbul, studying History

Captain: Alexander Baker, from Goring-by-Sea in West Sussex, studying Physics  

Anna Drummond Young, from Edinburgh, studying Physical Chemistry

 

Imperial were similarly easy winners over Balliol of Oxford in their first contest, dominating on the buzzer and generally getting the bonuses as well; their final winning total 285-145. They were also the same quartet as before:

Justin Lee, from Hong Kong and Canada, studying Chemistry

Adam Jones, from Hong Kong, studying Computer Science

Captain: Suraiya Haddad, from Manchester, studying Medicine

Sourajit Debnath, from Calcutta, studying Applied Computational Science and Engineering

 

So, off we set once again then, and a penalty from Lincoln allowed Imperial to immediately take the lead; they took one bonus on county towns and were unlucky not to get another. The London side proceded to race away with the next three starters as well, before Lincoln finally got going properly with the first picture round, on flags of no-longer-existant states; a full bonus set cut the gap to 70-20. A penalty to Imperial, which Lincoln picked up along with two bonuses, suggested the Oxonians could recover. But a very good anticipatory buzz from Mr Jones put pay to that as Imperial moved into three figures, before another starter to Mr Jones was met with a full set of bonuses on swords. Lincoln did take another starter and pair of bonuses to show they could recover with if they could get a run together; but after the music round, on operas that premiered in the 1930s, Imperial's lead now stood at 140-60.

And another very quick buzz by the impressive Mr Jones only increased that lead; Imperial didn't seem to be doing quite as well on the bonuses this time, but their buzzer performance meant it didn't really matter. A starter to Mr Lee took the Londoners to 200, and the game was already as good as won. Especially when Lincoln finally got another starter, but the bonuses didn't fall for them. After the second picture round, on paintings of harbours or ports, Imperial led 225-60. Lincoln did finally get a run on the buzzer in the final minutes, and a pair of bonuses on clouds saw them deservedly get to three figures. A very good quick buzz from Ms Warde gave them a third in a row, and they took the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Imperial won 250-120.

Another excellent contest, despite its one-sidedness. Very well done to Imperial, a second impressive showing against strong opposition, means they'll certainly go into the quarter-finals among the favourites; best of luck to them there! Hard lines to Lincoln, but they went out on a good performance they can be pleased with; thanks for playing!

The stats: Mr Jones was by some distance the best buzzer of the night with NINE(!) starters, while Ms Warde and Mr Tatoglu got three each for Lincoln. On the bonuses, Lincoln managed a good 13 out of 20 (with three forgivable penalties) and Imperial 23 out of 42 (with one penalty).

Next week's match: Manchester vs Birkbeck. A fuller preview coming up later this week, if I remember...

Only Connect arrived at its first semi-final, with the Thrifters and the Suncatchers meeting for a second time. The latter led 3-0 after the first round, and 9-2 after the second. A better wall allowed the Thrifters to cut the gap to 16-12 going into Missing Vowels, and they edged that too to force a 20-each tie-breaker! Mr Haywood got that first to complete the comeback and send the Thrifters through to the final! The Suncatchers go to the third place play-off.

 

Mastermind was another very close run contest, with Sharon Reading and Carol Kermode both finishing with 19 points, but the former edging it with no passes to the latter’s one. Trevor Abrahams and Rob Price also competed, finishing with 18 and 15 respectively.

 

Also, quick mention of this afternoon’s Counterpoint, on which David Stainer (OC, Brain of Britain, UC et al) was a contestant; didn’t win, but aced the final buzzer round to finish second.

University Challenge 2023-24: Round 2: Match 7: Sheffield vs Aberdeen

Good evening again my friends, and welcome to a new year of Quizzy Mondays! Hope you all saw in the New Year safely last night! Anyway, new year, but same old quizzes, all back to normal now after the Christmas recess (though Mastermind still has a few celeb editions to get through). We begin the year as far as UC is concerned with two teams who both had comfortable enough first victories, one very easy, the other closer until the end...

Sheffield beat Loughborough back in mid-September, dominating the first three phases of the contest most easily before their opponents rallied, 290-115 the final score. They were the same foursome as before:

Safiyyah Rujak, from Plymouth, studying History

Joe McGough, from Coventry, studying History and Spanish

Captain: Cameron Colclough, from Sheffield, studying Biophysics

Matthew Nail, from Blyth, studying Philosophy

Aberdeen defeated Birmingham in the second match of the series back in July, a match infamous for an error by the scorers; 190-125 the official final score, 195-125 the correct one! They were also the same quartet as before:

Archie Broomfield, from Edinburgh, studying Politics and International Relations

Zachary Eisler, from South Queensferry, studying History

Captain: Emily Osborne, from Bristol, studying Economics

Callum McClements, from County Fermanagh, studying Medicine

So, off we set once again then, for the first time this year, and we began the new year with... a penalty, AR being a lot stricter on a pause before answering than Paxo ever was. Mr Eisler eventually took the first correct starter of the year; one bonus went the Scots side's way, as did a second starter to Mr Eisler, but no bonuses came this time. Sheffield came back into positive figures with a starter to Mr McGough and a sole bonus. The first picture round, on set-ups for chemistry methods or techniques, went to Aberdeen; one bonus took the scores to 35-10. Another starter to Aberdeen yielded no bonuses, while one to Sheffield only gave them one. Another bonus set went begging completely, from Sheffield, before the Steelers finally got one to their liking, on director Mike Flanagan, a full set there. The music round, on classical pieces written as gifts, went to Aberdeen; another blanked bonus set meant they now trailed 60-50.

Aberdeen retook the lead with a starter and a single bonus, only for Sheffield to immediately take it back; they also took just one bonus. Back came Aberdeen, but, again the bonuses proved not to their liking, none taken on origins of music genres. The second picture round, on paintings of Danae, went to Sheffield; another sole bonus took their lead to 95-75. Still either team's game, and Aberdeen came back with the next starter, and finally got a bonus set they liked, on astronomy, two taken to pull level. But Sheffild responded in kind to reach three figures first. Aberdeen followed them in, but, once again, they drew a blank on the bonuses, on syphillis, leaving them ten adrift. Mr Nail took the next starter for Sheffield, and that was game over; they took one of the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Sheffield won 130-105.

A pretty tough game to start the new year, with both teams rather struggling with the bonuses (though not for want of trying, with numerous unlucky near misses); both did pretty well all things considered. Well done Sheffield, and best of luck in the quarter-finals! Hard lines to Aberdeen, but you didn't disgrace yourselves and were a pleasant team to watch; thanks for playing!

The stats: Mr Eisler was the best buzzer of the night with six starters, while Ms Rujak and Mr Nail were joint best for Sheffield with three each. On the bonuses, Sheffield managed 11 out of 24 (with one penalty) and Aberdeen just 6 out of 27 (with three penalties), so Sheffield did slightly better on them and that's what won them the game.

Next week's match: Lincoln vs Imperial in the final second round match

Only Connect returned to normality too, and completed its quarter-finals with the Isotopes vs the Mercians. The former led 3-2 after the first round, but the latter took the lead 8-3 after the second. Two seven point walls meant it was as you were, 15-10 going into Missing Vowels, and the Mercians increased their lead in that to win 22-13.

 

Mastermind was won fairly comfortably by Tom Adlam, whose 22 points was five clear of second placed Oliver Wilderspin with 17; Hayley Rowley and Akin Yilmaz also competed, finishing with 14 and 7 respectively.

Christmas University Challenge 2023: Matches 6-9 (Tuesday 26th - Friday 29th)

Greetings friends! So, the second week of Christmas University Challenge 2023. Only four shows to cover of course; we all know why and need not mention it again. So, just two more teams to meet this week, and then straight into the semis and the final. So, for the last time this year, lets do this...

Tuesday 26th: Middlesex vs Leeds

Middlesex: Heather Phillipson, Lola Young, Dan Renton Skinner, David Hepworth

Leeds: Kenton Cool, Kunle Barker, Claire Cashmore, Mike Begon

A close and low scoring contest at first that either team could've won, until a late run from Middlesex saw them not only run into the lead, but also run up easily a good enough score to come back in the semis. Leeds did deservedly reach three figures too though. Middlesex won the game 175-115, bringing them back.

Wednesday 27th: Royal Holloway vs Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi raced into an early lead, but Royal Holloway recovered very well and, heading into the final minutes, it was either team's game. It was ultimately decided when Mr Chingonyi unluckily buzzed early and offered Salt Lake City instead of the state of Utah; Corpus Christi made no mistake and that proved the difference. Corpus Christi won 180-160, while Royal Holloway exited with their heads held high.

Thursday 28th: Bangor vs Middlesex

Mr Skinner was unable to return, so Ms Phillipson took over as captain and David Heathcote joined the team. And he proved the difference, answering six starters as his took an early lead and never lost it. Bangor did rally to respectability, but the result was never in doubt. Middlesex won 195-85.

Friday 29th: Corpus Christi vs Middlesex

Again, Middlesex raced into a strong lead in the first half and didn't look like losing it. Again, Corpus Christi rallied in the final minutes to a decent score, but the game and the series had already been decided by then. Middlesex won the game and the series 175-80.

Very well done to them indeed, most worthy winners, and thanks to all the teams who took part for another most enjoyable mini series. And well done to AR as well, who did a fine job in his first festive series in charge. There were also signs of Paxo-esque snappiness in him as well that we haven't seen in the student series so far; whether we'll be seeing them there eventually remains to be seen. But I stand by what I've said before: he's doing a good job so far, and hopefully will continue to do so!

Anyway, back to business as usual tomorrow night, with Sheffield vs Aberdeen in the penultimate second round match. And OC and Mastermind return to normality as well. Back with my usual write-up tomorrow night, so, until then, sayonara...

Christmas University Challenge 2023: Matches 1-5 (Monday 18th-Friday 22nd)

Greetings friends! So, the first Christmas UC series of the Amol Rajan era, one that was already noteworthy for all the wrong reasons before it had even begun for reasons you're probably already familiar with, so we won't discuss that more here. I will say that, once again, AR has risen to the occasion just like Paxo did in the Xmas specials with the more sardonic attitude towards the alumni teams. On with the shows themselves, the first week of them...

Monday 18th: King's vs City

King's: Chibundu Onuzo, Lucy Powell, Ayshah Tull, Ali Ansari

City: Zing Tsjeng, Martha Spurrier, Joe Crowley, Sebastian Payne

The series kicked off with a fine contest between two pretty decent teams; shame they had to face each other in the first round really. King's won the contest 155-120, two starters more than their opponents proving key and, unless Tuesday's winners beat their score, they'll be back in the QFs.

Tuesday 19th: Royal Holloway vs UEA

Royal Holloway: Tahmima Anam, Jody Talbot, Liz Sayce, Kayo Chingonyi

UEA: Karen Duff, James Scudamore, Bendor Grosvenor, Mohammed Hanif

Again, both teams gave a pretty fair account of themselves, but Royal Holloway were the better team in the end, pulling away into a strong lead and ultimately winning comfortably. 170-95 the final score, and they'll definitely be back next week.

Wednesday 20th: Dundee vs Bangor

Dundee: Susan Philipsz, Saleyha Ahsan, Holly Hamilton, Keith Harris

Bangor: Andy Clements, Juno Dawson, David Neal, Hywel Williams

Pretty comfortable win for Bangor this one, leading from the off and, though Dundee, again, didn't disgrace themselves, they were easily second best. The final score, 185-75, and Bangor will also definitely be back next week.

Thursday 21st: Corpus Christi Oxford vs Edinburgh

Corpus Christi: Francesca Happe, Michael Cockerell, Alex Bellos, Steve Waters

Edinburgh: Malcolm Fraser, Olly Smith, Ruth Davidson, Freddy McConnell

Very impressive performance from Corpus Christi, Mr Waters especially with a very good eight starters. Edinburgh were a perfectly decent team, as AR rightly said, and would've done better against another team probably. Corpus Christi's final winning score was 265-80, easily enough for a return.

Friday 22nd: Imperial vs Liverpool

Imperial: Mark Silcox, Helen Arney, Anjana Ahuja, Susannah Maidment

Liverpool: Jim Woodcock, Joyce Tyldesley, Ian Ritchie, Ann Limb

A low scoring contest to end the week, with both teams rather struggling with the bonuses, though, again, neither disgraced themselves. Imperial won 110-80, but the score won't be enough to bring them back.

So, Corpus Christi, Bangor and Royal Holloway are definitely coming back next week and, as I said, King's will do so too unless Tuesday's winners beat their score. It's been a good series so far, in spite of the controversy, and hopefully the second week will continue in the same vein.

Back next week, Hogmanay, with my write-up of the second week. Until then, have a safe and Happy Christmas, and sayonara...

Quizzy Mondays update 18/12/23

Greetings friends! So, we're into the final fortnight of the year, which means its time for Christmas UC! Shorter series than usual of course due to the now well-established controversy over one of next week's games. Tonight's first episode was a pretty good first start to the series; I'll be covering it and the rest of the week's games at the weekend.

 

For the rest of the Quizzy Mondays line-up, though, it was business as usual tonight...

 

Only Connect’s final regular show of the year saw the Also Rans and the Video Nasties meet in the penultimate QF. The former led 3-2 after the first round, and 10-7 after the second. A better wall for the Nasties meant it was now 17-all going into Missing Vowels, but the Also Rans just about snuck back ahead in a very close round to win the show 23-22!

 

Mastermind ended in yet another tie-breaker, with Thomas Roebuck and Helen Lippell (OC alumnus) both finishing with 21 points, with Jonathan Phillipson Brown just behind on 20 and Sian Bladon completing the line-up with 15. Helen won the tie-break questions 4-1 to go through.

 

And that's it for the regular series of them this year; both resume alongside regular UC on New Year's Day. OC will be continuing daily for the next fortnight (except Christmas Day itself), with new specials tomorrow (the 19th), Wednesday (the 20th), Boxing Day and next Thursday (the 28th). Mastermind, of course, has its usual celebrity specials scattered across the holiday season over on BBC1.

 

I'll be back on Christmas Eve, hopefully, with a review of the first week of Xmas UC. See you then I guess.