Monday 27 October 2014

University Challenge 2014-15: Repechage Play-Off 1: Open vs L.S.E.

Evening all. The play-offs begin tonight, as we start seeing teams again. Before that, though, a quick mention of the 'unfair' penalties levied on Pembroke last week, with Weaver's Week openly blaming them for Pembroke losing so heavily. I'll address that myself later; on with the show.

The Open University lost a great first round match to Leicester 245-190, the highest losing score of the first round. This made them firm favourites whoever they faced in these play-offs. They remained:
Danielle Gibney, from Amsterdam, studying Social Sciences
Stuart Taylor, from Stratford-upon-Avon, studying Development Management
Captain: Lynne Jones, from Bolton, studying Languages and History
Kate Law, from Sutherland in the Highlands, studying Engineering

The London School of Economics lost their first match against the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine by just ten points, 150-140. Exeter also scored 140, but it's L.S.E. who come back; Simon Joyce(?) from the Oxford Brookes team claims this is due to them answering a larger percentage of overall starters. The returning L.S.E. team were also the same as before:
Peter Sims, from Edmonton in Canada, studying Economic History
Jeffrey Mo, from Calgary in Canada, studying Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
Captain: Jimmy Chen, from Colchester, studying Government and History
Pedro Franco de Campos Pinto, from Brazil, studying Economics


Off we set again then, with what Paxo called an interesting competition. Mr Pinto was first to strike for L.S.E., but they took no bonuses. Open bit back, and took two from their first set. The sides remained close together in the first phase; after the first picture round, on international Hay-on-Wye festival branch locations, L.S.E. led 50-40.

Open slipped up on the next starter, but L.S.E. failed to take advantage. This allowed the opposition to tie the scores with the next starter, and then reclaim the lead with another starter and a full set of bonuses. A second starter and full bonus set, and Open had opened up a sizeable lead, and L.S.E. needed to get a move on if they were going to catch up.

The music round, on classical pieces associated with bad weather, went to Open, but just one bonus followed this time; they still led 115-50. L.S.E. were soon back in the game though, and took two starters in a row to eat into the gap, missing just one of the six bonuses. Open fought back with the next starter, but took no bonuses this time.

The second picture round saw Mr Taylor get a telling off from Paxo for pausing after buzzing; the bonuses, on athletes with the highest amount of golds, allowed his side to up their lead to 145-95. Still a closeable gap, but when Open took the next starter, their lead was starting to look match winning. L.S.E. took the next starter, which just about kept things in doubt, and took one bonus as well.

L.S.E. now began something of a late sprint, and took another starter to bring the gap to 35. But when Ms Gibney took the next starter, that looked like it would see her team home safely. L.S.E. managed to tie their score from their heat, but took no bonuses. At the gong, Open won 180-140.

A very pleasant match between two very pleasant teams; kudos to L.S.E. for applauding their opponents at the start, at the gong, and during the credits. Paxo was correct in saying they can hold their heads high after two good showings. Well done to Open though, and best of luck in the second round!

Danielle Gibney was best for Open with four starters, which equals Jimmy Chen's best starter total for L.S.E.. On the bonuses, Open converted a decent 17 out of 30 (with one penalty), while L.S.E. managed a respectable 12 out of 24.

Next week's match: Manchester vs Sussex in the second play-off

Only Connect began eliminating teams tonight; won't say anything, except look out for a slightly dubious allowance in the missing vowels round!

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