Back To Basics

Do you ever have a yearning to go back to quiz basics? I did last weekend. Don’t worry, I’ll explain. Since 2021 when I started going back to the Aberavon Rugby Club for the Thursday night quiz I’ve tried to compile the quiz and act as QM whenever I’ve been asked to do so. It hasn’t been on anything like as regular a basis as I used to, but that has been fine by me. Well, last time I did the quiz was about 4 weeks ago, and I’ve been asked to do it again.

Since 2021 every time I’ve compiled a quiz for the club I’ve used connections in the quiz. Is it because I think it makes for a better quiz? Well, one always hopes that it will, but that’s not the real reason. Selfishly I’ve done it since it’s been a way of keeping myself interested in the quiz while I’m compiling it.

Then last weekend, when I got round to sitting down to write it, it occurred to me – why not, for old time’s sake, do what I used to call a ‘bog-standard ordinary quiz’ with no gimmicks or connections, and compile it in the same way (or a similar way) to the way I used to do it in 1995 when I started. Not quite the same way since I did not have the internet in 1995 and I did it all with books. I’m sorry, but although I did use some books when compiling this quiz, the idea of not using the internet at all smacks of cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.

So basically, this meant finding a question for each round on several different categories, and two on popular entertainment. I have to be honest, I quite enjoyed it. You know , if you made me swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth I would admit it’s not the old quiz custom I would most like to see come back at the club. Up until Covid the question master and/or glamorous assistant would have the papers collected at the end of each round and mark them. Covid put a stop to that, understandably. But I’d just really like it to happen once or twice now. It doesn’t reflect very well on me but I will explain my reasons. Each team marks their own. I cannot help being highly suspicious that one particular team are being very economical with the truth about their scores. Let me admit that I have not lost a quiz at the rugby club since Covid. But the team in question nearly always come second. Okay. Now the suspicious thing about this is : - prior to Covid they were the worst team in the quiz. Also, when my teammates compile a quiz, they will (quite rightly) ask the odd question about up to date pop culture. And the team in question, all of whom are in the senior citizens age bracket, invariably gets a full house on these rounds! I long to go up and ask – which one of you is the (insert band/singer/video game) fan then? – I’m not proud of myself. Mind you, my suspicions were further heightened just a few weeks ago when they tried to award themselves 15 on a 14 point round! Could have been a genuine mistake. Just like my auntie could have had you know whats and secretly been my uncle.