Monday 5 November 2012

University Challenge - Repêchage Match 1

Lincoln College,Oxford vs Lancaster 

With the first round over the next 2 episodes of this years University Challenge will involve two Repechage matches involving the highest scoring runners up. Based on previous form these matches were too close to call and I was expecting a close run match tonight...


University of Lancaster
Alan Webster
Irene Kretzschmar
Ian Dickson
George Pinkerton

vs


Lincoln College, Oxford
Victor Jones
Michael Hopkins
Jackie Thompson
Hugh Reid


Lancaster got the game off to the perfect start with a maximum on lost limbs only for Jackie Thimpson to claw back for Lincoln...a pattern that would continue all night. Indeed this was a very close contest throughout and more proof for anyone who needs it that this Repechage round is a great idea which produces great matches every year.

Indeed as Victor Jones recognised the last lines of 'Paradise Lost' (I did not have clue!) it looked as if it could swing anyway. I always look forward to the picture rounds every week and this week did not let me down. The first being titles of famous works in the original language. Very tough but cracking questions. Pinkerton and Webster were driving Lancaster forward but they just could not pull away. After a great round of pre-war football based questions Lancaster were leading 85-70 but should have been much further ahead.

Yet again, and as I said last week I would love to see a stat on this, the music round starter went unanswered. An Elvis song I had never heard of to be fair but with two older players in the game I was surprised this and all 3 Elvis Bonuses went unanswered. They definitely need to either make the music rounds more gettable next year or remove them as it is becoming a bit of a joke the lack of points being scored on them.

The match stayed tight up until the 100 point mark when a crucial few buzzes from Webster started to take the game away from Lincoln. Indeed, Lincoln never really got going all night and although they scored enough to stay in touch throughout I think it is fair to say the better team won.

Lancaster too the match 165-125 and I don't think there can be too many complaints. Lancaster have a solid line up with Pinkerton and Webster at the spearhead. Past series have shown if you can get such a strong double act you can be hard to beat. Although they need to up their game to win I don't think any team would fancy a match against Lancaster in the next round!


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