Monday 30 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Semi-Final 1: St Peter's vs Magdalen

Evening all. So, we've made it to the semi-finals of this epic (and at times controversial) series of University Challenge. I was pleased to see Paxo point out to those who didn't already realise that there are no women left in the semis. The second of four all-male matches to end the series would see one of these excellent Oxford sides take the first place in the final in two weeks' time.

St Peter's College Oxford came directly through to this stage by beating Sussex, Selwyn College Cambridge, our friends Oxford Brookes and Liverpool respectively, in an impressive run where they upped their score every time. Hoping to do that again tonight and thus make the final were the unchanged foursome of:
John Armitage, from Lancaster, studying Maths
Ed Roberts, from London, studying History
Captain: Gabriel Trueblood, from London, studying Medicine
Spike Smith, from Maidenhead, studying Maths


Magdalen College Oxford defeated Pembroke College Cambridge, Open, Trinity College Cambridge and Bristol to get here, but they also lost to Caius, who are on next week, so no shame in that. Slight underdogs but not by much tonight, they too were the same four as before:
Harry Gillow, from Stone in Staffordshire, studying Classics
Chris Savory, from Burgess Hill in West Sussex, studying Chemistry
Captain: Hugh Binnie, from Cheltenham, studying Chemistry
Cameron J. Quinn, from Los Angeles, studying Philosophy and French


Off we set again then, and Hugh Binnie got this Oxford derby going by identifying a list of people who narrowly avoided death by cancelling their trip on the Titanic; two bonuses followed. Spike Smith got St Peter's going with the next starter, but just one bonus followed. Gabriel Trueblood, by far the best starter answerer of the series so far, missed a chance to break his duck; Magdalen subsequently took a second starter, and a full set of bonuses on comfort food. Both sides narrowly (and rather humourously) missed the first picture starter, and Cameron Quinn was somewhat lucky to have 'Shelley' accepted for 'Mary Shelley' on the next starter; the picture bonuses, on elements and their decades of discovery, gave Magdalen a lead of 60-15.

Mr Quinn took a second starter in a row, before Mr Trueblood finally broke his duck; the side didn't manage of a set of bonuses on centenarians, and Paxo was rather unfair to somewhat rub in a pass on the first bonus, and then laugh at a suggestion Buster Keaton died age 100 in 1996 (he was born in 1895, but died well before he was 100). Chris Savory then became the latest victim of the apparent strictness on fine-cut interruptions that has been prominent throughout this series, but St Peter's couldn't convert. Mr Trueblood did take another starter next though, and the side took all three bonuses on poetry about constellations. Magdalen had another unlucky miss, before St Peter's took another starter, and the gap was down to just 5.

The music starter saw Mr Quinn quickly identify Gounod, as would I had I had more time! The bonuses, on military themed compositions, gave Magdalen more breathing space, with a lead of 95-70. Mr Quinn took the next starter too, and the side took a full set of bonuses on whales. Mr Trueblood knew he had to act quickly, but zigged with Neptune when he should have zagged with Poseidon, losing five; Harry Gillow took the points. Mr Trueblood made up for his slip by taking the next starter, and two bonuses on singing servants in fiction followed. Hugh Binnie took the next starter, and the side took two bonuses on a tough set requiring years to be subtracted (yes, really).

The second picture round, on paintings of saints and their painters, with the added Easter Egg of the painters all sharing names with the Teenage Mutant Ninja/Hero Turtles(!), went to Magdalen, who now led by 185-85. St Peter's needed to get a move on; what they didn't need was a slip-up, which Mr Quinn was unlucky not to pick up. Mr Savory was unlucky to slip-up on the next starter, allowing Mr Trueblood to take the points; the side desperately needed a full bonus set, and promptly took two from a set on languages of South Africa.

Mr Trueblood then took a second starter in a row, and two bonuses followed. If they could get a run of momentum now, they could be in with a shout. Mr Quinn stopped them dead, though, by taking the next starter, but no bonuses followed. But when Mr Quinn took the next starter, that looked like it might suffice to see them home safely. Just to make sure, Mr Binnie took the remaining two starters, and one of the three bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Magdalen won 235-120.

Good match, totally representative of the standard we'd expect at this late stage. Unlucky St Peter's, who just didn't quite have the same buzzer brilliance as before, but, as Paxo said, going out in the semis isn't bad at all; well done to them on a very good series run. Well done to Magdalen, though, and best of luck in the final!

Cameron Quinn was the best buzzer of the night, with seven starters, while Gabriel Trueblood was, as usual, best for St Peter's with five. On the bonuses, St Peter's converted a respectable 12 out of 21, while Magdalen managed a pretty good 23 out of 36, and both sides incurred two penalties.

Next week's match: the second semi-final, a rematch between Caius and Durham. And then, the final!

Only Connect has already had its final, which we saw tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to watch it back and get a review up by Friday. Also, WW have appeared to suggest VCM is pregnant; haven't found any evidence to back this up anywhere else on line, but will definitely report it on here and/or on LAM if I do.

Saturday 28 March 2015

Only Connect: Series 10 Semi-Finals Review

OK people, ahead of the Only Connect final on Monday, here's a quick summary of the semi-finals.

Semi-Final 1: Chessmen vs History Boys
Both sides, both comprised of quizzing regulars, gave the match their all, but it was the Chessmen who emerged on top by 27-18. Both sides handled the difficulty of the semi-final questions well, especially the walls, where the Chessmen solved theirs' carefully and comfortably for a full ten, and the History Boys managed a respectable seven.

Semi-Final 2: Orienteers vs QI Elves
Key factor here was the Orienteers, who are regular quizzers, adapted to the difficulty of the semi-final questions better than the QI Elves, who generally set hard quizzes rather than play them. They recovered somewhat with a half-solve of the wall. VCM seemed amazed by how easy the Orienteers made some of the questions look easy! As Chris Tarrant used to say, it's only easy if you know the answer. The Orienteers won the game 25-10.

So, it's the Orienteers vs the Chessmen in the final on Monday. Six serial quizzers, five of whom have reached at least the semis of OC before; should be a classic match. Here's to a great final.

Wednesday 25 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Semi-Final Preview and Thoughts on Various Issues

Well guys, we've finally made it to the semi-finals of this year's, at-times-controversial, University Challenge. It's been an intriguing series, during which many an issue has been raised regarding to show's future conduct, which I will touch upon later on.

For now, though, here are the four semi-finalist teams:
  • St Peter's College Oxford: John Armitage, Ed Roberts, Gabriel Trueblood, Spike Smith (925 over four matches)
  • Gonville & Caius College Cambridge: Ted Loveday, Michael Taylor, Anthony Martinelli, Jeremy Warner (995 over four matches)
  • Magdalen College Oxford: Harry Gillow, Chris Savory, Hugh Binnie, Cameron J. Quinn (1,165 over five matches)
  • Durham: Daniel Morgan-Thomas, Freddie Lloyd, Fred Harvey, Nikul Boyd-Shah (875 over five matches)
So, how did they get this far?

St Peter's came straight through, beating Sussex, Selwyn College Cambridge, our friends Oxford Brookes and Liverpool. Each time, captain Gabriel Trueblood has been the main driving force through the side's performances, almost single handedly running up their score in the first round and preliminary QF. Their qualifier QF was more of a team effort though. Bonus rates have varied, generally around 50% or a little bit more. Best hope of winning is Trueblood shutting the other team out on the buzzer.

Caius also came straight through, beating St Anne's College Oxford, Manchester (The Team Everyone Wants To Beat), Durham and Magdalen, the latter two of which are also through. They have been pretty comfortable on the buzzer throughout, with all four contributing freely, the only real blip being against Magdalen, where they took time to get going, but went for it when they did. Bonus rates have always hovered around two-thirds, which, combined with excellent buzz skill, means they probably go into the semis as the favourites.

Magdalen beat Pembroke College Cambridge, Open, Trinity College Cambridge and Bristol, but also lost to Caius en route. All four players have generally been contributing starters comfortably, but Messrs Binnie and Quinn have generally contributed more and kept the side afloat. Bonus rates hovered under two thirds early on, then slumped to around 50% in the first two QFs, then picked up again in the play-off. Outside chance of winning, but will have to push hard to do so.

Durham defeated Brasenose College Oxford, York, Trinity College Cambridge and Liverpool to make it here, but lost to Caius as well. All the players have contributed to the side's starter tally, with at least two generally keeping the side afloat. The side's bonus rates have varied quite a lot over the five matches, varying from about just under 50% to just over 50%. Outsiders for the title.

So, two prime contenders, one with an outside chance, and one who will have to work really hard to upset the odds.

The draw, as expected, puts the two Oxford sides together, and that leaves Durham with having to face Caius again. Caius will probably make it two over Durham, but the Oxford derby will be truely fascinating to watch. I cannot call it.

As for the title, my guess is it will largely depend on who wins the Oxford derby. Whoever wins will deserve their title. Here's to a great end to the series!

Now, for some miscellaneous items.

Firstly, you may have noticed from the above, and from my last two write-ups and comment on LAM, that there are no women left in this series. I do not believe this has happened for years. Even in the series in recent years where the final has been all-male, there have at least been women in the semis; we don't even have that this time.

Of course, this will only add to calls for reforms to stop this sort of thing happening again. I have already stated my opposition to a quota; someone, possibly Simon Joyce, mentioned in an earlier post on the subject that that wouldn't solve the 'under-representation' problem, it would merely solve the 'totally unrepresented' problem that we have ended up with here.

The fact that, since the turn of the decade (so since 2010-11), only one out of twenty winning UC contestants has been female (whatever happens this year) says quite a lot.

Of course, as I said before, and as others have said before, most UC contestants appear to be men because men are more prepared to put themselves forward. The fact that all male teams just happen to have prospered more this year, and last year to a lesser extent, is somewhat unfortunate.

I will draw up more thoughts on women on UC after the series is over.

The other quibble concerns the ongoing debate on format reform. I will not go into that in great detail yet, as I've already said a lot about that this series. I will also draw up more thoughts on that post series.

Finally, to keep this blog going over the Spring hiatus, what do yous think to a retro-review series. Maybe of old editions of UC, or the first series of Only Connect?

Hopefully, I'll be able to talk about the semi-finals of the current OC series shortly.

Monday 23 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Play-Off Quarter-Final 2: Liverpool vs Durham

Evening all. No footie and resultant moaning from EastEnders fans tonight, so all the focus can go on tonight's match, the first of four all-male matches we will have to end the series (unless one of the teams pulls out a late substitution). Whoever won tonight's show would take the final place in the semi-finals.

Liverpool defeated Sheffield, Glasgow and Bristol en route through the early rounds, but were overpowered by St Peter's in the qualifiers. Hoping to atone for that tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Ben Mawdsley, from Southport, studying Astrophysics
Jim Davis, from Gullane near Edinburgh, studying Tropical Disease Biology
Captain: Declan Crew, from Liverpool, studying Biochemistry
Hugh Hiscock, from Southampton, studying French

Durham arrived here by beating Brasenose and York in the earlier rounds, but lost to Caius in the preliminaries, before redeeming themselves by taking out Trinity. Hoping to become the first team to reach the semis having failed to break 100 in an earlier match were the also unchanged quartet of:
Daniel Morgan-Thomas, from East London, studying History and Classics
Freddie Lloyd, from Penshurst in Kent, studying Philosophy
Captain: Fred Harvey, from Bridlington in East Yorkshire, studying Physics
Nikul Boyd-Shah, from Bournemouth, studying Law

Off we set again then, and Durham were the first to break free, taking the first starter and all three bonuses on London squares. A second starter and full bonus set followed, and de ja vu feelings of last week's show began to creep in. These stopped when Durham only took one bonus from their third set. Durham then slipped-up, but Liverpool couldn't pick it up; the Merseysiders then slipped up themselves, and Durham shot back in. The first picture round, on awkwardly shaped US congressional boundaries, allowed Liverpool to, eventually, get going; though they took all three bonuses, they trailed 70-15.

The second phase was very short, with Daniel Morgan-Thomas slipping up, and Liverpool failing to collect the points. Mr Morgan-Thomas made up for his error by taking the next starter, and two bonuses followed. Just two starters and one bonus set between the first picture and music rounds; I think that may be a record.

That music round, on Desert Island Discs selections by future presenters of the show, went to Liverpool, who reduced the gap to 90-35. Hugh Hiscock, excellent in the earlier rounds, took his first starter of the night, but a set of bonuses on Chinese provinces yielded just one correct answer. The next starter asked for the completion of a JM Barrie quote: "Some [of my works] peter out, some...?" Daniel Morgan-Thomas was unlucky to offer 'Peter Pan', but Ben Mawdsley put him right with 'pan out'! The gap was now down to just twenty points, but Durham recovered with two correct starters and a Liverpool slip-up upping the gap again.

The second picture round, on the work of British illustrators from the 'Golden Age of Illustration', went to Durham, who now had a lead of 145-65. And when Mr Boyd-Shah took the next starter, and when two bonuses from a complex set on pairs of surnames took their lead to 100, that looked like it would see them safely home. But Liverpool were going to go out fighting, and Ben Mawdsley identified a set of galaxies for the next starter, and two bonuses on film documentaries followed, with their (not unreasonable) wrong answer to the third amusing Paxo!

A second starter went to the Merseysiders, but just one bonus on another complex set requiring the answers to be spelled bought them one bonus to bring them into treple figures, which they certainly deserved to do. Durham took the next starter, but got nothing from yet another complex bonus set, this time on countries with larger populations than all their neighbours. Not that it mattered; at the gong, Durham won 175-100.

Another pretty slow moving match, as has been the theme of many a match this series. Unlucky Liverpool, but a very respectable series of performances and nothing to be ashamed of, so well done yous. Well done to Durham though; as Paxo said, it wasn't the best of offerings, but it's sufficient to get you through to the semis, so well done and best of luck!

Daniel Morgan-Thomas was the best buzzer of the night, with four starters, while Messrs Mawdsley, Crew and Hiscock got two each for Liverpool. On the bonuses, Liverpool managed an OK 11 out of 18 (with three penalties) while Durham finished with 17 out of 30 (with two penalties).

Next week's match: the first semi-final! My guess is St Peter's vs Magdalen first, followed by a Caius-Durham rematch in two weeks' time.

Only Connect had its second semi-final tonight. Sadly, I already knew the result thanks to an indirect spoiler from a TV guide website (not the Radio Times). Hoping for a fine final to end a fine series next week. Hopefully, I'll be able to do a semi-final run-through later this week, and a full review of the final next week.

Monday 16 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Play-Off Quarter-Final 1: Bristol vs Magdalen

Evening all. We're nearly there now; just four more matches after tonight. More football over on BBC1, and more moaning from EastEnders fans, who say the football should go on a special sports channel, or on BBC2. Sorry you lot; with both UC and Only Connect in the serious stages, that is definitely not an option! Whoever won tonight would take the third place in the semi-finals.

Bristol defeated the Courtauld and L.S.H.T.M. in the early rounds, before making up for a preliminary loss to Liverpool by beating our friends Oxford Brookes in the eliminators. Hoping to repeat that success tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Lewis Rendell, from Saffron Walden, studying Maths
Benjamin Moon, from Bath, studying Geology researching Ichthyosaur Systematics and Taxonomy
Captain: Anastasia Reynolds, from Leytonstone in London, studying Czech and Russian
Miles Coleman, from North London, studying Spanish and Portuguese


Magdalen College Oxford defeated Pembroke College Cambridge, the OU and Trinity College Cambridge early on, but fell short of a Cambridge hat-trick after a superb fightback from Caius in the qualifiers. Hoping not to make that mistake again were the also unchanged quarter of:
Harry Gillow, from Stone in Staffordshire, studying Classics
Chris Savory, from Burgess Hill in West Sussex, studying Chemistry
Captain: Hugh Binnie, from Cheltenham, studying Chemistry
Cameron J. Quinn, from Los Angeles, studying Philosophy and French


Off we set again then, and Chris Savory took the first starter of the night, and his side showed they meant business by taking a full set of bonuses on border cities. Another starter from Mr Savory and another full bonus set, and Bristol's already tough task was starting to look impossible. As if to further hammer this home, Mr Quinn took the next starter, and all three bonuses went with that as well. Bristol finally got off the mark on the next starter, but only one bonus followed that. The first picture round, on places in Britain linked by their first three letters, went to Magdalen, eventually, and gave them a lead of 90-15.

Mr Savory struck again on the next starter, and the bonuses allowed the Oxonians to break three figures. The next starter went to Mr Quinn, which gave them a three figure lead, and unlocked a set of bonuses on Harrys, Rons and Hermiones in Shakespeare, which Paxo couldn't keep a straight face at! ("God, this is laboured!") More hilarity followed as the next starter required a spelling, which neither side got the right stick end of, and then Mr Coleman suggested Millwall were against banning shin kicking! Mr Quinn was unlucky to slip up on the next starter, before Mr Binnie broke the drop run, but only one bonus followed.

The music round, on etudes, including Paganini's Theme to the South Bank Show, went to Bristol, but they had some catching up to do, trailing 145-40. The Avonsiders now began to fight back, a second starter and full bonus set in a row. Another starter went to Bristol, and two bonuses followed (the third unluckily being missed), and the lead had dropped significantly. A slip-up from Magdalen, a pick-up from Bristol, two bonuses, and the lead was down to just 35. Mr Gillow had had enough of that, and promptly took the next starter to ease Magdalen's position, and two bonuses followed.

The second picture round, on double Pulitzer prize winners, went to Magdalen, and allowed them to up their lead to 175-105. Both sides had had a great night on the bonuses, with Magdalen's quicker buzzer figure proving the key. Mr Binnie took the next starter, and a full bonus set on fictional Oxbridge colleges brought them up to 200. Bristol broke back in with the next starter, but just one bonus followed.

The next starter asked for a piece of Roman numeral arithmetic; Mr Binnie worked it out, and all three bonuses followed. Magdalen now looked home and dry, and Mr Gillow confirmed this by taking the next starter. Just one bonus followed, but it didn't matter, as Bristol slipped up on the next starter, and Mr Quinn took the final one of the match just in time. At the gong, Magdalen won 250-115.

The result we probably all expected, but very high scoring and high quality from both sides. Unlucky Bristol, but a very gallant effort, and well done on a very respectable series of performances. Well done to Magdalen though, and best of luck to them in the semis. Their win does mean, however, that whoever wins next week, the four semi-finalist teams will all be all male. Oh dear; I know certain media sectors will not be pleased to find that out.

Messrs Binnie and Quinn were joint best buzzers of the night, with four each, while Mr Coleman's three were Bristol's best. On the bonuses, Bristol converted a respectable 12 out of 18 (with one late penalty) and Magdalen a brilliant 26 out of 36 (with two penalties); both great rates, which goes to show what a good quality match this was, even if it wasn't that close.

Next week's match: Liverpool vs Durham, then we're into the home straight!

OC is already into its home straight, and we now know the first semi-finalists. Hopefully, I'll be able to summarise both semis sometime next week.

Monday 9 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Elimination Quarter-Final 2: Durham vs Trinity

Evening all. We're slowly but surely getting there now. Just five more matches after tonight's, and then we're off for the spring. A surprisingly small amount of Twitter comment tonight, but then I guess that's because there's a footie match on BBC1 rather than EastEnders. (Cue EE fans moaning about the footie getting priority over their favourite show!) Whoever lost tonight would be out the door, while the winners would go to the play-offs.

Durham defeated Brasenose College Oxford and York in the first two rounds, but found Caius to be too much in their first quarter-final, and were trounced 275-95. Hoping to make up for that tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Daniel Morgan-Thomas, from East London, studying History and Classics
Freddie Lloyd, from Penshurst in Kent, studying Philosophy
Captain: Fred Harvey, from Bridlington in East Yorkshire, studying Physics
Nikul Boyd-Shah, from Bournemouth, studying Law

Trinity College Cambridge defeated St Andrews and Leicester in the earlier rounds, but were totally overpowered by Magdalen in their preliminary, and were annihilated 315-55. Also hoping for redemption tonight, and still refusing to introduce themselves with their surnames, were the also unchanged quartet of:
Matthew Willetts, from London, studying Physics
Claire Hall, from Greenwich in London, studying Classics
Captain: Hugh Bennett, from London, studying Chemistry
Aled Walker, from Birmingham, studying Maths


Off we set again then, and Durham were first off the mark, picking up the first starter, and giving Paxo an early snear opportunity, when, during the bonuses, he instructed them to 'get that answer out of [their] heads' as it was wrong! Durham took the second starter and two bonuses from the resultant set. Trinity then tried to break into the match, but slipped-up twice, and dropped to (-10), and allowed Durham to pull away into a strong lead. The Cambridge side finally got going with the first picture round, on locations of music festivals, but couldn't go beyond resetting their score; they trailed 65-0.

A superb buzz from Mr Bennett bought Trinity into positive figures, and they managed two bonuses. They managed a second starter in a row, but no bonuses followed this time, and then they incurred another penalty. Durham woke up again courtesy of Mr Lloyd, but they could only manage one bonus. The Wearsiders' early sprint was proving the main difference thus far; neither side was really firing on all fours.

The music round saw Mr Lloyd, eventually, identify the Manic Street Preachers; the bonuses, on songs US politicians got into trouble for using in campaigns, allowed Durham to break three figures and lead 100-25. Mr Harvey made sure all of his side had at least one correct starter to their names by taking the next starter, and the side took all three bonuses to up their lead to 100 points. Trinity responded by taking the next starter and managed a full bonus set of their own. Neither side worked out a complicated question on relative scale, before Mr Willetts pulled Trinity up further, but only one bonus followed.

The second picture round, on depictions of female figures by Rubens, went to Durham, and allowed them to increase their lead to 140-65. Mr Willetts allowed Trinity to cut that gap some more, with Paxo giving him leeway on a slightly mispronounced answer, and the side took two bonuses. If they were going to catch Durham, they were going to have to run the show from now on; but when Mr Morgan-Thomas took the next starter, it looked like they may just have done enough, despite dropping all the bonuses.

With not much time left, Trinity made one final valiant sprint, with Hugh Bennett taking the next starter, and the side took one bonus to just break into triple figures. But then the Cambridge side incurred another penalty, which Durham were unable to pick up. Durham then incurred a penalty of their own, the latest this series where a contestant is penalised for just cutting the question. Trinity took the points, but the gong cut them off during the bonuses. Durham won the match 145-105.

Another rather slow moving match throughout. Unlucky Trinity, who just didn't get the right questions at the right time tonight, but good on them for a respectable series effort. Well done to Durham though, and best of luck to them in their play-off!

Daniel Morgan-Thomas was the best buzzer for Durham, with four starters, while Mr Bennett was Trinity's best, also with four. On the bonuses, Durham converted just 12 out of 27 (with one late penalty) and Trinity just 9 out of 22 (with four penalties); low rates there, which just about sum up the low scoring nature of the night.

Next week's match: the first play-off; I would guess at Bristol vs Magdalen, then Liverpool vs Durham, but I don't know.

Only Connect paused for a Comic Relief special tonight, which treated us to a great shot of VCM with a toy turkey on her head! No doubt the Twittersphere will be all over that now the show's on BBC2! The semi-finals begin next week.

Wednesday 4 March 2015

Only Connect: Series 10 Quarter-Finals Review

OK, time for me to talk about Only Connect properly at last.

How has its first series on BBC2 gone thus far? I think well. I discussed the move to BBC2 with a friend prior to this series, and they were sceptical, claiming it worked well on BBC4, and gave you a reason to watch that channel too. However, it has settled in nicely in its new home, and it also means no more risk of missing the start from University Challenge overrunning.

Anyway, the series began with sixteen teams (two of them returning teams from Series 2 and another two thirds of a third), and, over twenty weeks, they were whittled down to eight via the usual win-two-go-through/lose-two-go-home system. It probably works better for Only Connect than it does for the UC QFs, as it means all teams get at least two outings, and there are no teams that will exit beforehand and miss out as a result.

The eight teams that reached the QFs were, in order of qualification:
History Boys: Rob Hannah, Gareth Kingston, Craig Element
Gallifreyans: John Dorney, Giles Sparrow, Stuart Wildig
Orienteers: Paul Beecher, Sean Blanchflower, Simon Spiro
Nørdiphiles: Will Day, Joanna Murray, James Keeling
Chessmen: Henry Pertinez, Stephen Pearson, Nick Mills
Linguists: Virginia Fassnidge, Tom Fassnidge, Gail la Carbonara
Gamesmasters: Filip Drnovšek Zorko, Frederic Heath-Renn, James Robson
QI Elves: Anne Miller, James Harkin, Andrew Hunter Murray

The first four came through the group phase undefeated, the second four lost a match en route and came through the play-offs. Anyway, onto the matches:

History Boys vs Linguists
A good close match this. The History Boys took the lead early on, and their opponents, while coming close, were never quite able to overturn the deficit. In the end, though, the History Boys only just emerged on top, 19-18.

Orienteers vs Gamesmasters
This was a rematch from the qualification stage of the group phase, where the Orienteers emerged on top. This match was much closer, with our friend Filip and co leading early on, before the Orienteers overtook them in the second round, and never looked back. There was also a minor controversy when VCM disallowed a slightly too specific answer early on, which mercifully had no impact on the final score; the Orienteers won 22-18.

Nørdiphiles vs QI Elves
Another very even match here. The Elves were probably the underdogs going into this, but they took a strong lead from the off, leading 6-1 after the first round. The Nørdiphiles closed the gap slightly in the second round, but just weren't able to quite overtake their opponents. The QI Elves, much to their surprise, won by 23-21.

Chessmen vs Gallifreyans
Again, this was a very close match. The Chessmen led comfortably after the first round, before the Gallifreyans closed the gap in the second, and then took the lead after the Walls after the Chessmen dropped a connection. Again, it all came down to the final round, and after much toing and froing, the Chessmen emerged on top 25-22.
 
A very fine set of matches. Unlucky those who lost, but you all played a great part in a very good series of quizzing. Well done to the four semi-finalists though; I look forward to the final matches of the series.

The first semi-final will be in two weeks' time, as the series is pausing on Monday for the usual Comic Relief special. I'll post a summary of the two semis and a full review of the final once I have got round to watching those matches. I hope.

I'll be back on Monday with my usual UC write-up.

Monday 2 March 2015

University Challenge 2014-15: Qualification Quarter-Final 2: Caius vs Magdalen

Evening all. Well, after last week's match of very little note, I think we were all expecting better things this week given the teams were thought would be involved. Whoever won tonight would probably be considered lukewarm favourites to win the whole series.

Gonville & Caius College Cambridge defeated St Anne's College Oxford, Manchester (The Team Everyone Wants To Beat) and Durham in their three matches so far, looking highly impressive in all three cases. Hoping to live up to their previous form tonight were the unchanged foursome of:
Ted Loveday, from Hammersmith, studying Law
Michael Taylor, from Ballymena in Northern Ireland, studying History
Captain: Anthony Martinelli, from Hertfordshire, studying Medicine
Jeremy Warner, from Southampton, studying Natural Sciences

Magdalen College Oxford's (at times controversial yet) impressive run to this stage saw them defeat Pembroke College Cambridge, Open and Trinity College Cambridge, with bigger scores each time. No doubt hoping to keep that going tonight were the also unchanged quartet of:
Harry Gillow, from Stone in Staffordshire, studying Classics
Chris Savory, from Burgess Hill in West Sussex, studying Chemistry
Captain: Hugh Binnie, from Cheltenham, studying Chemistry
Cameron J. Quinn, from Los Angeles, studying Philosophy and French


Off we set again then, and it was the Oxford side who got off the mark quicker, with Hugh Binnie quickly taking the first starter of the night, on photobombing. (Well, it was only a matter of time...) The side took two bonuses, before Mr Gillow won the hotly fought buzzer race on the next starter, allowing a full bonus set to be converted. Cameron Quinn took the third, and Magdalen looked to be running away with it again. But then Mr Quinn slipped up, and, while Caius didn't directly pick it up, they did subsequently get off the mark. The first picture round, on logos of international organisations that officially speak French, went to Magdalen, who led 70-15.

Now, though, Caius began to fight back, with Mr Martinelli taking two starters in a row, one of which opened up a set of bonuses on terms starting with three consecutive letters of the alphabet (we had that just two weeks ago, didn't we?), the other of which saw Mr Quinn slip up again and lose a second five. The Cambridge side dropped one of the six bonuses, and, as a result, were now well back in the hunt. A slip-up from Ted Loveday went unpicked up, before Mr Quinn made up for his prior mistakes with a very good buzz to earn points that gave his side more room to breath.

The music round saw Ted Loveday identify Mendelssohn almost as soon as I did! The bonuses, on pieces commissioned by the Philharmonic Society, went to Caius, who now trailed by 90-75. A very good buzz from Hugh Binnie allowed Magdalen to pull away again, and break three figures, but they only managed one bonus. Michael Taylor, quiet early on, took his first starter of the night, and a full set of bonuses meant they were breathing down Magdalen's collective necks like Mark Labbett on top Chase form. Cameron Quinn gave them more maneuvering room with another starter, but none of a very tricky bonus set on computing acronyms followed. Mr Binnie took the next starter, to pull his side further away, but Mr Taylor took the next, and Caius took all three bonuses to remain right behind Magdalen. What a match this was becoming!

The second picture round, on portraits of influential figures of the Reformation, went to Magdalen, and allowed them to lead 145-125. But Caius just wouldn't give up the hunt, and pulled right back up behind them with the next starter. And when Mr Loveday took his second starter in a row, Caius took the lead for the first time. The Cambridge side were now in the ascendancy, as Mr Martinelli took the next starter, and they took two bonuses. Throughout the match, they had been getting fewer starters, but generally getting more bonuses, and now they were getting the starters too, this was beginning to prove key.

When Mr Taylor took the next starter, you began to think it was game over; as if to further this, the side took all three bonuses on homophones. Hugh Binnie finally broke Magdalen back into the match, but they could only manage one bonus on currencies. Cameron Quinn bravely tried his luck on the next starter, but only slipped his side back five, handing Caius the points. The gong went before the first bonus could be asked; Caius won a great match 215-155.

Well, whatever the rest of the series holds, it'll take something to beat that; it was the best match for months. Unlucky Magdalen, who led almost throughout and, as Paxo said, got unlucky with the starters late on, but I can't see how they won't make the semis if they keep playing like that; best of luck to them next time. Very well done to Caius though; a fine showing against excellent opposition, and surely they must now be taken seriously in the semis.

Mr Quinn was the night's best buzzer, with five starters, while Messrs Loveday and Martinelli were joint best for Caius with four each. The bonuses proved crucial: Caius converted a good 22 out of 30 (with one penalty), while Magdalen only managed 14 out of 30 (with three penalties); that's where the match was won and lost.

Next week's match: by process of elimination, it must be Durham vs Trinity.

Only Connect reached the end of it's quarter-final stage tonight; I'll try to get a QF summary posted once I've been able to watch tonight's match back. Next week, the regular series pauses for a Comic Relief special, incidentally.