Thursday 18 July 2013

Only Connect: Series 7: Match 10 (Play-Off Match): Cartophiles vs Fell Walkers

OK, with University Challenge back, I'm going to carry on these Only Connect reviews until this series ends. I probably won't do full reviews for the next series, which I understand begins immediately after this one.

Anyway, Monday's match saw the Cartophiles (Colin Kidd, Mark Cooper and captain Josh Mandel) fight the Fell Walkers (Jim Taylor, Craig Almonds and captain Mike Amberry) for the final place in the semis. Both had lost one match, and won another en route to this point.

The highlight of the first round was a question that went to the Fell Walkers, which was a collection of complex figures, which were identified as relating to Felix Baumgartner's jump last year. They initially did not provide a name, until VCM pushed them! The Fell Walkers had the better of the first round, leading 6-2 going into the second.

The second round was more the Cartophiles' round, as they pulled back lost ground, and had cut the Fell Walkers' lead to just one point, 7-6, afterwards. Onto the Walls, and the Fell Walkers struggled with theirs, getting just one group, but three connections, which gave them four points. The Cartophiles also got just one group (with only a few seconds left!), and they only got two connections, for just three points. But, to be honest, the Walls did look exceptionally hard this week. One of the Cartophiles' connections, for example, were 'anagrams of rodents'! Chalk up another fiendish one for the question setters there!

The Fell Walkers led by 11-9 going into the final round. But the Cartophiles were not going to give up easily, and they made their final push here. In truth, it was a very close call. But, with not much time left, the Fell Walkers buzzed, but couldn't answer, losing a point, and handing the Cartophiles a bonus. As can be so cruel sometimes, the entire match turned on that very question, as the Cartophiles snuck home a victory by 15-13.

So, well done to the Cartophiles, who deservedly go through to the semis. But very hard luck to the Fell Walkers, who led throughout, and only narrowly slipped up at the end. But they have done very well, as VCM said. As have all the teams so far this series. Some quality quizzing.

Onto the semis next week, with the Celts vs the Festivals Fans. Somehow, I think we're in for a tightly fought final three matches.

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