tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post1053478349243922563..comments2024-03-12T12:54:32.926-07:00Comments on Life After Mastermind: University Challenge - Quarter Final Sudden Death - Match 1Londiniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871325359167581176noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-13532099642286502862012-02-26T17:24:54.007-08:002012-02-26T17:24:54.007-08:00I wouldn't just call this match absolutely bri...I wouldn't just call this match absolutely brilliant - it was without doubt one of the very best and most exciting matches of the entire Paxman Era, if indeed not THE best and most exciting.<br /><br />And yet that seemed a million miles away when Manchester led 70-(-10) in the opening minutes...<br /><br />But once Daniel Janes got going, things got better and even better still.<br /><br />Both teams were very quick on the buzzers, and the standard they set on the bonuses was almost out of this world.<br /><br />And the lead changed hands no less than six times - four of which came after the second picture round.<br /><br />Thus, when Clare tied it at 250 each with less than a minute left, I was quite literally shaking with excitement. Roger Tilling, of course, was very nearly exploding with it...<br /><br />Then Manchester grabbed the next starter, and ran the clock down more than anything else on the subsequent bonuses - which is what any team with a narrow lead in the dying seconds should do IMHO, even if it's not the most sporting act in the world.<br /><br />But there was still time for that one final starter. And of course, had Clare got that, a tie-break would have been required - which, if anything, would have probably been the fairest way to decide this match...<br /><br />Jack is quite right as regards the bonus conversion rates - which led to a staggering overall conversion rate of 83/106.<br /><br />And the aggregate score of 520 is the third-highest in the Paxman Era, and the highest this century. The only two matches to score higher are the 1994/5 grand final (in which Trinity Cambridge beat New Oxford 390-180) and the second semi-final in 1995/6 (in which Imperial beat Warwick 300-230).<br /><br />It is a very desperate shame to have to lose either of these two great teams - but probably more so for that team to be Clare, given Mr Janes's achievements. Ten starters is surely the best individual effort in a lost match.<br /><br />That said, their shaky start did tell against them in the end...<br /><br />But for Manchester, it's a seventh semi-final appearance in eight series - and you have to go back to 2002/3 for the last time a team of theirs didn't make the last four.<br /><br />And I'd make them THE favourites for the title now...Des Elmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17386363933499184036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-52829064830591127382012-02-25T10:33:13.507-08:002012-02-25T10:33:13.507-08:00Well Dave, this is only a rough guess, but some qu...Well Dave, this is only a rough guess, but some quick calculations show that Clare pulled off 29/36 with three penalties, while Manchester did 28/39 with two penalties.<br /><br />Hopefully, Des will get some more accurate figures later.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06254840979557920582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-3532958660632206652012-02-25T10:09:30.148-08:002012-02-25T10:09:30.148-08:00Hi Jack
Do you know what the bonus conversion rat...Hi Jack<br /><br />Do you know what the bonus conversion rates were like ?Londiniushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07871325359167581176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-24341370282119784222012-02-25T05:31:32.973-08:002012-02-25T05:31:32.973-08:00What's the best way to make up for a disappoin...What's the best way to make up for a disappointing match like last weeks? With an absolutely brilliant one like this!<br /><br />This is the game of the series for me by a long way. Both teams simply played absolutely brilliantly throughout, and it is a big shame that either must go out, especially at this late stage in proceedings,<br /><br />Indeed, Clare's losing score of 250 is the highest losing score of the Paxo era, eclipsing Sheffield's 240 from 2001.<br /><br />Very well done to Manchester though. They must now be serious contenders for the title. Apart from that slip-up against UCL, they have played consistently brilliantly throughout the series. Everyone contributes their bit to the team effort. But then, you never can tell with University Challenge.<br /><br />So, on Monday, UCL play Balliol in the last quarter-final. Week after, Worcester and Manchester fight it out in the first semi-final.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06254840979557920582noreply@blogger.com