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The Grimsby and District Quiz League

Harry's Page - Match Reports




Report on the Pairs Quiz

Bridge Club, Monday, 2nd February, 2009

On the evening of the day when the country was shivering under the worst snowfall for almost two decades, the hardy quizzers of Grimsby made their way through the persistent rain to the two venues of Bridge Club, Bargate, Grimsby and R.A.F.A. Club, Cleethorpes for the annual joust of the twosomes.

This was the first round with 16 entries having to be whittled down to 8 to contest the semi-final in early Spring and I was in attendance at Bargate, with partner Geoff North, to see if we could repeat our feat of last year, when we progressed in the favoured few to a less than glorious exit in the semis.

I must point out that we enjoyed a start of 18 points - 3 points per player per division - and this should have been a real benefit against two first division players but we were slaughtered, nevertheless, by the brilliant combination of Andrew Hunter of Surplus Rowdies and Alan Bentley of Nemesis.

These stars inevitably qualified at the end of the night but, following victories in our other two encounters, so did we! The pairs to step up from the other league were Denis Brown and Pete Gardner from Nemesis and the holders - the Rasen duo of Ian Welham and his brother-in-law, Dave Shaw.

The very last game of the night was an exciting affair featuring Denis and Pete against those canny team-mates, Peter Sinclair and Andy Alcock of R.A.F.A. Dipsos. The score stood at 27-22 in favour of the Dipsos couple at the close of the penultimate Round 4. The Nemesis men went for broke and invoked the rule that, in Rounds 2 and 5, a team may nominate one player to answer both questions and, should he answer both correctly, then a bonus of 3 points is awarded. Denis Brown was nominated and delivered the goods- and a tie at 31-31!

A very enjoyable event again and I am certain that the non-qualifiers - Mal White and John Wood of Swats, Sue and Rod Mitchell of Imps, Alan Pilcher and Graham Jackson of Time Out and the aforementioned R.A.F.A. Dipsos pairing all had a good time.

Yep! - Ed. 8-)




A Few of the Questions.


1.

What were the names of Hamlet's parents?

2.

Which soccer club became known as the "Lions of Lisbon?"

3.

For the Coronation of which monarch was Zadok the Priest written?

4.

On which mountain is Crowden Head - the highest point of the Peak District?

5.

Which British boxer lost in 5 rounds to Muhammad Ali in Munich in May, 1976?

6.

What trade or profession was followed by an "ackerman?"

7.

Who played Octopussy in the film of the same name?

8.

What type of fruit is a plantain?

<<< The two questions answered for a bonus by Denis Brown >>>

9.

Which politician was described by his opposite number as "a modest little man who has a good deal to be modest about?"

10.

Who shared a house with Errol Flynn called "Cirrhosis by the Sea?"



ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Hamlet and Gertrude
2. Glasgow Celtic
3. George II
4. Kinder Scout
5. Richard Dunn
6. Ploughman
7. Maud Adams
8. A banana
9. Clement Attlee
10. David Niven

Harry Buck





Report on Apostles v Surplus Rowdies

Bridge Club, Monday, 12th January, 2009

This was the first League fixture following the annual Christmas holiday and Brendan’s men, in a creditable third spot, were looking to start the second half of the season with a bang by inflicting a first reverse upon the league leaders and reigning Division 1 champions.

They started well and kept pace in the early rounds but Rowdies gradually pulled away and ended comfortable winners at the close of an enjoyable contest by the slightly flattering margin of 105-83.

They had their top squad on duty with skipper Ian and able lieutenants Andrew, Pete and Nick. Apostles were short of the perennial Mary but paraded Terry Brown, for a rare appearance, together with Keith and Peter Hardisty who was their undoubted star on the night.

He answered 9 out of 10 of his own questions and most of the conferred ones too in a performance which scarcely deserved to be part of a losing effort!




A sample of the teasers.


1.

What is the first line of the poem Casabiancaby Mrs Hemans?

2.

Whose album, Back to Bedlam, was a No 1 best-seller in 2005?*

3.

In which year will the present Queen become the longest-serving British Monarch (assuming she has not died or retired by then)?

4.

Which city was known as Venta Belgarum to the Romans?

5.

In which opera is the aria "Your tiny hand is frozen?"

6.

Floyd Patterson was the first man to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. From whom?

7.

Who played the lead in the film, The Madness of King George?

8.

Who were Chelsea’s opponents when Petr Cech sustained his depressed skull fracture in October 2006?


* The follow-up, All the Lost Souls, is good too. (Okay, I'm a Fan Girl, so sue me! Ed.)



ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. "The boy stood on the burning deck"
2. James Blunt
3. 2015
4. Winchester
5. La Bohème
6. Ingemar Johansson
7. Nigel Hawthorne
8. Reading

Harry Buck





Full Results from The Table Quiz

Bird’s Eye Club, Ladysmith Road, Tuesday, 2nd December, 2008



Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

R.A.F.A. Dipsos

111

Rasen

111

Pondlife

86

Nemesis

100

Two Wits

80

Somnambulists

85.5

Swats

97

Time out

79

Simple Minds

82.5

Minders

87.5

Bux Kwiz

81

Blocks

79.5

Quizlings

71.5





Report on Nemesis v. Swats,

Bridge Club Monday, 8th December, 2008

With Christmas fast approaching, this Division 1 contest was expected to be a real battle between two outstanding teams, but the non-appearance of the redoubtable Geoff Swanney gave his fellow Swats too much to do, although they went down fighting and were only 5 points in arrears as half-time arrived at 41-46.

The talented Nemesis pulled away to a final success of 99-86 to keep Surplus Rowdies within their sights. Every member of the team of the Goddess of Retribution had an important input but Denis Brown shone out with a maximum 10 out of 10.

Their other star, Alan Bentley, was almost as successful, while skipper Peter Gardner and John fully contributed to the high tally. The three musketeers of Swats, captain Malc White, Mike Mahoney and the ever-chatty Steve Denton strove valiantly to make up for the loss of Geoff (how I love yer, how I love yer, my dear old) Swanney but had to accept defeat gracefully.

Steve did say that he would tell Geoff that, even though absent in the flesh, he had still picked some terrible numbers!




The only Questions to stump everyone.


1.

How many gallons in a hectolitre?

2.

In computer, what does the acronym WORM stand for?

3.

Who is currently ranked the best ODI batsman by the ICC?

4.

In which English county is the geographical centre of Britain?

5.

5 In which novel would you find the character Amelia Sedley?



ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. 22
2. Write Once Read Many
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
4. Lancashire (Dunsop Bridge)
5. Vanity Fair

Harry Buck




Report on The Table Quiz

Bird’s Eye Club, Ladysmith Road, Tuesday, 2nd December, 2008

This is the annual junket to which all teams are invited. There are awards for the winners of each Division of the League and the quiz features 8 rounds on various “themes”. There is the opportunity to play a “joker” in just one of the rounds and there is a certain skill in deciding which round is likely to be the best one to choose in order to double the team’s score for that round.

There is a pronounced difference between league quizzes and table quizzes in that all of one’s squad can play and every player is able to fully participate. This year there were also two “potboilers”, including a picture quiz, for players to work on for part of the proceedings. The picture which fooled most was an early snap of Robert Mugabe.

The turnout this year was very pleasing in that 13 teams took part and, allowing for the question setters, Surplus Rowdies, this meant that only 6 teams failed to show- possibly the best attendance ever. Division 1 had 4 out of 7, Division 2 paraded 3 out of 7 but all 6 attended from the basement, Division 3.

The winners were:-

Division I

R.A.F.A. Dipsos

Division 2

Rasen

Division 3

Pond Life

The setting of the questions poses enormous problems in a table quiz, where the players are of unequal standard, but the men of Rowdies, Andrew Hunter, Peter Daniel and Question Master Ian Townsend did a great job and there were very few complaints. All- in- all a very enjoyable prelude to the festive season!





Report on Individual Shield 2008/9

Rounds 1 and 2

Round 1

The First Round saw the present titleholder Ian Welham confirm his credentials with a fairly comfortable victory over old warhorse Bill Mercer. Last years runner-up, Ians brother-in-law, Dave Shaw, wasnt so fortunate, however, going down to a previous champion, Alan Pilcher. Then Alans team-mate, Graham Jackson, himself a previous champ., accounted for Gwen Webster.

Gwens husband Jim then stepped up against the highly-fancied Sue Mitchell, making her debut in the Shield, and preserved the Webster family honour, taking the prized scalp on a set of questions not really to Sues taste.  [ No worries! - Ed. 8-) ]

This close affair was followed by another Shield debutant, Mick Cavanagh, taking on the only person to have held the trophy twice, Sue Fytche and another close contest saw Sue bow out. 

The other scheduled clash between Prue Whincup and Malc Towle did not materialize, Prue having sadly to scratch, so Malc joined Mark Robinson and Rod Mitchell in Round 2- all having received byes.

Round 2

Ian Welham was given something of a scare by the wily old fox that is Jim Webster and only just prevailed 12-10 to enter the Semi-Final. A very close encounter was expected between Alan Pilcher and Mick Cavanagh but the question- set did not appeal to Alan and Mick sailed through by 5 clear points. 

Graham Jackson then ensured representation for Time Out in the Semis by edging out Mark Robinson, who almost came up on the rails after an indifferent start. The last match of the night pitted Chairman Malc Towle against Rod Mitchell of Imps and only one point decided this one with Rod carrying the Mitchell standard into the penultimate Round by 9-8.

So the Semi-Finals, to be played on Thursday, 2nd April 2009, will feature Ian Welham from Rasen, Mick Cavanagh of Pond Life, Graham Jackson of Time Out and Rod Mitchell of Imps.

Results - Individual Knock Out 2008/9

A Sample of Questions unanswered by both contestants.


1   In Courts of Law at what age does one cease to be a juvenile?

2   Which of the 3Tenors was born in Barcelona?

3   What was "a day that will live in infamy?"

4   Which was the first decimal coin to be issued?

5   Who captained the USA to recent Ryder Cup success?

6   Which Mr Cole is married to Cheryl of 'Girls Aloud?'

7   Which famous chef owns 4 restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall?

8   Which comedian, part of a famous double-act, was christened Norbert but used his fathers name professionally?

9   Who played the part of Rose in Upstairs, Downstairs?

10 Which small town in South Lincolnshire is forever associated with BRM Racing Cars?


ANSWERS

1) 18 

2) Jose Carreras 

3) Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 

4) 50p piece 

5) Paul Azinger 

6) Ashley 

7) Rick Stein 

8) Oliver Hardy 

9) Jean Marsh 

10) Bourne

Harry Buck





                                   RASEN v. IMPS

Bridge Club, Monday 3rd. November, 2008

I predicted that these two heavyweights would be vying for the championship of Division 2 this season and they were both unbeaten when they locked horns in the Bridge Club on a dreary and chill November night.

Rasen are comparative newcomers to the League, while their opponents have been around for many moons. Most quizzers know Imps' stalwart Mitchell partners, and Sue and Rod are currently making a brilliant job of running the website. They were accompanied by Carol and Andrew to go head to head with Rasens star and captain, Ian Welham, who had John, Dave and Graham under his command.

They were bidding to break their duck against the Imps, always having had close matches but never quite coming out on top. The contest was tightly fought throughout and half-time saw it 39-38 in favour of Rasen. There were never many points in it and Round 10 arrived with Welhams Warriors clinging by the fingertips at 74-72.

Then the last question to Imps with three results possible with Rasen still ahead at 81-79:

"Which poet wrote novels under the name of Nicholas Blake?"

Had Andrew answered, it was a win for Imps, had the team conferred correctly it was a tie but the answer of "Cecil Day Lewis" eluded them and Ian picked up the bonus to edge his gallants to an 82-79 success!  Hugely enjoyable and they don't come any closer!



Questions that caught everyone napping

1. Which London institution occupies what was the central part of the old hospital known as "Bedlam?"
2. Spell Sarsaparilla
3. Who played the title role and mimed to Mario Lanzas voice in the film The Student Prince?
4. For which film did Burt Lancaster win the Oscar for Best Actor in 1960?
5. Who wrote the novel Forever Amber?
6. What is the motto of the R.N.L.I.?
7. Who was Pope from 1939 to 1958?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. The Imperial War Museum
2. Sarsaparilla
3. Edmund Purdom
4. Elmer Gantry
5. Kathleen Winsor
6. The Sea shall not have them
7. Pius 12th

Harry Buck

11th Commandment: Thou shalt not scan thy report and send it as a jpeg... ;-)




Guest report.
Yes, your webmistress has hijacked Harry's Page again...

Your Starter for Ten?


Andrew Hunter and Rodney Mitchell have been working their socks off again to enhance your quizzing fun. Last night, we gave it a trial run which worked out very successfully - at least it did once the wiring had been de-kinked. ;-)

We now have a working buzzer system - or rather, a Hallelujah Chorus system {BG} - and Andrew had put together a tantalizing collection of questions to put it to the test. The guinea pigs were Andy and Pete from R.A.F.A. Dypsos plus the R.A.F.A. club's own hero, Dave, on the one side, and Ian of Rasen with Rod and myself on the other. Ian gave us the team name, WImps, based on his initial and Imps... (I'm saying nothing.)

We played two matches. The first one used only buzzer questions and the second used the 'University Challenge' format of a starter question followed by three conferred questions.

The WIimps won the first match handsomely, largely thanks to Andy. Being a hotshot on the buzzer, he kept buzzing in before the end of the question. However... Some of the questions had a twist in the tail that could initially mislead you into thinking that the answer was a book title, when the required answer was in fact the author's name. This resulted in points being deducted. So thanks, Andy! 8-)

The R.A.F.A. crew got their revenge in the second match, soundly trouncing the WImps. Sometimes buzzing in early works, especially when it's followed by a crack at another three questions.

This entertaining evening got the thumbs-up all round and, as a result, there are plans afoot to run a similar quiz in the February half-term break next year. The proposed competition will be looking for eight teams to take part in a knock-out tournament on the 'University Challenge' format. Matches will last about twenty minutes, with a longer final.

Grateful thanks to Andrew and Rod for their hard work. Much appreciated! 8-)

Sue Mitchell




PREVIEW OF THE NEW SEASON 2008/2009

The new season is due to begin on Monday, 29th September and the League will still be comprised of three divisions. Recent trends have seen a gradual erosion of participants from about 85 to just 19 last season but, at long last, we have an increase- to 20!

Pond Life have rejoined under the captaincy of the stalwart Mick Cavanagh, who has "moved across the floor of the House" to take up a new challenge away from the top tier with R.A.F.A. Dipsos.

It has become customary for me to stick out the ancient old neck and make some wild shots in the dark as to who may be up for honours:-

Division 1

This is usually the easiest to call, with Surplus Rowdies the undoubted stars, but they only narrowly sneaked home last season, by just 2 points over Swats, who will be itching to go one better this time.

R.A.F.A. Dipsos may struggle to come to terms with the loss of Mick Cavanagh to mount a serious challenge, but Serendipity, with the very able Alan Bentley, must surely give it a much better go than last years effort, which they must hope was just a temporary blip. Nemesis, if Denis Brown and Pete Gardner find their form, could also be in the final frame.

Division 2

The question here is "Will the talented Rasen team, strongly skippered by Ian Welham, finally clinch a place in the top division?" Their only serious rivals would appear to be Imps, who see-saw between the top two divisions with amazing regularity. Magic Robots could also pose a threat.

Division 3

This is difficult to predict but I expect Pond Life and Blocks to be the front runners with Quizlings and Somnambulists possibly making a run on the rails and Simple Minds wrestling with Bux Kwiz for ownership of the Wooden Spoon!

Harry Buck

STOP PRESS

Alan Bentley is to appear for Nemesis in the coming season. I was, of course, not aware of this but it certainly means that Nemesis could put in a really strong challenge to Rowdies' supremacy now!

Harry




« Le Crunch »

SURPLUS ROWDIES v. SWATS

Bridge Club 14th April, 2008

On the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic, Swats went down to a big defeat at the hands of Rowdies - league leaders for the whole of the season in Division 1 and worthy winners, once again, with Ian Townsend at the helm and Pete Daniel, Andrew Hunter and Nick Stanton as his faithful lieutenants. A team of all-stars indeed but, on this night, the man who stood out, even in this high firmament of knowledge, was Nick, who answered correctly to each of his ten questions- a rare feat!

This match was the cruncher to decide the title and it was level-pegging till Round 4 . Rowdies ended this at 43-30 and their gallant foes then found the mountain too difficult to scale, finally succumbing 105-84, after a fine set of questions from Paul Garnett of Simple Minds, assisted by the lovely Liz Snell.

Another good-humoured encounter, given the tenseness of the situation, and Swats stars were captained to good effect by the genial Malc White and his crew of the affable Mike Mahoney, the laughable Steve Denton and that impossible eccentric, Geoff Swanney! All good men and true who admitted that they were delighted to finish as runners-up to such a great side.


Pieces of Pauls Pertinent Posers

1. What was the first name of Bertie Woosters manservant?
2. Who was the first man seen on Channel 4 TV.
3. In which model and make of car was John Kennedy travelling when fatally wounded in Dallas in 1963?
4. How many boxes are there in Deal or No Deal?
5. Whose autobiography is called Take it Like a Man?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Reginald
2. Richard Whiteley
3. Lincoln Continental
4. 22
5. Boy George

Harry Buck





League: End of Season Report

All three divisions of the League have been decided and all in the same week! The most sensational finish came in Division 3. It appeared that Belligerent Fools needed merely to avoid defeat to pip Time Out to the title.

Time Out, having a lead on points difference on "Fools" of 8 points, had lost their final game to Two Wits by 10, so "Fools" then led by a mere 2 going into their finale against Simple Minds - already certain of the Wooden Spoon.

Then the barely credible occurred - Simple Minds triumphed for only the second time this season but by the margin of 1 point. This meant that Belligerent Fools became champions by the most slender margin possible - 1 point on points difference (+53 to +52 for Time Out)!

Has any side ever been denied so unluckily? Graham Jacksons men have all our sympathy. At least they will gain promotion as Runners-up.

Division 2 was decided by Minders' victory over Woodentops, which meant that Apostles could not catch them, but, again, Brendans aces will return to the top flight as Runners-up.

Surplus Rowdies duly clinched the top division crown by defeating Swats in a winner-take-all final shoot-out. (See following report above).

Teams definitely relegated:-

From Division 1: Imps and Magic Robots

From Division 2: Blocks and Somnambulists

Harry Buck





SURPLUS ROWDIES v. R.A.F.A. DIPSOS

RAFA Club, Monday, 7th April

When the fixtures were first drawn up, it was expected that this match near the season's end would provide the usual close result with the winners probably ending as champions. Dipsos have, however, suffered an unusually poor season and came into this encounter having lost half of their ten fixtures.

Their opponents had just the one loss on the record and victory would have provided them with the Division 1 title. But Dipsos, aided by Lady Luck as to the way the questions fell, dispatched their old foes 108 - 88. How often have Rowdies been defeated by 20 points? They trailed by 53 - 47 at the half-time break but lost the second half 55 - 41.

Andy, Pete, Mick and Steve rose to the occasion for Dipsos, while Rowdies went down with all their big guns slightly misfiring for once. Ian, Pete, Andrew and Nick had to take it on the chin and must now avoid defeat by their only other challengers, Swats, in their last match at the Bridge Club next Monday, 14th April. The fixture list could not have worked it out any better!


Questions that stumped everyone

1. Which bird "sings on the orchard bough in England now" - according to Browning's Home Thoughts from Abroad, verse 1?
2. Who was the last male Wimbledon Singles Champion before Federer's five wins on the trot?
3. Ivar Kruger shot himself in 1932 after his business empire collapsed. For which product was he famous?
4. Which famous tenor was an inspiration for all of "The Three Tenors?"
5. What name did Mr. de Winter's second wife call him in Rebecca?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. The chaffinch
2. Lleyton Hewitt
3. Matches (The Match King)
4. Mario Lanza
5. Maxim

Harry Buck





Report on the Individual Semi-Finals

The semi-finals of the Leagues two Individual Competitions took place at the RAFA Club on Thursday, 3rd April. The line-ups:-


Individual Trophy (Open to all)


Ian Townsend (Surplus Rowdies) v. Andrew Hunter (Surplus Rowdies)

...Geoff Swanney (Swats) v. Alan Bentley (Serendipity)

Ian chose to take the hot seat and scored a creditable 8 from a toughish 15 posers set by Malcolm Towle, but he faced the severest test against Mastermind contestant, Andrew, his team mate, and Andrew prevailed with an excellent score of 11.

Geoff stepped up first in the other game but found Sheila Mercers questions not much to his taste and stumbled to just 5 points. This was never going to be enough against the all-round knowledge of Alan, who qualified for the Final with 9.


Individual Shield (Division 2 and 3 players only)


.......... Ian Welham (Rasen) v. Sue Fytche (Quizlings)

Bill Mercer Quizlings) v. Dave Shaw (Rasen)

The first match promised to be a clash of the Titans - Ian with his vast cache of knowledge against Sue, the only person to have won the trophy twice. Ian kicked off and produced the first-ever full house - all 15 correct!

Sue was still capable of matching this but, amazingly, could not remember the answer to the very first question and the match was over with 14 questions still to go! She only failed once more and bowed out valiantly with 13 points.

The other game was closer still with Bill Mercer, often a bridesmaid, never the bride (i.e. never in the Final) setting the standard with 11. Dave then emulated Sue by failing on the first question but came back strongly to pip the gallant Bill by just 1, with 12 points.

So the Final for the Gwyneth Welham Trophy will be contested by her son and her son-in-law. It is also contested between two players from the same team! That has only happened once before when Graham Jackson and Alan Pilcher of Time Out appeared against each other a few years ago.


A Few Questions

1. Who is the current Home Secretary? *
2. Who wrote the poem which begins Oh to be in England, now that Aprils there? *
3. Which is the largest city in Africa?
4. What was invented by Thomas Bolsover?
5. Who is the Patron Saint of housewives?

* These are the only questions not answered correctly by Sue Fytche.


ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Jacquie Smith
2. Robert Browning
3. Cairo
4. Sheffield Plate
5. St. Ann

Harry Buck





TEAM K.O. ROUND 2
Belligerent Fools v Quizlings

This tie, to decide who progressed to the Quarter Finals, was played on the same evening as Grimsby Towns vital Morecambe game, so the thoughts of some were elsewhere.

Quizlings were hardly sanguine as to their chances, having already been defeated by the Fools in both League fixtures. They were also conceding a start of 9 points on handicap and short of the services of Sue Fytche, current holder of the Individual Shield and they played mainly second fiddle until, in Round 5, they outscored their foes by 12 to 2 and half-time arrived with Quizlings just one point adrift at 55-54.

Then they proceeded to rip their opponents apart in the second- half to end with a stunning victory at 107-85, having totted up a superb 53 points in the second phase. They were brilliantly served by Alan, Bill, Dave and Joe while brave in in defeat were Trevor, John, Rob and Dave for the Belligerents.


Questions scoring No points for either side

1. What is the State Capital of Alberta?
2. In which year was New Year's Day made a public holiday in England?
3. Who was Greek goddess of the dawn?
4. In which play is the character, Sir Andrew Aguecheek?
5. Who is the present Director General of the BBC?
6. Who is the present Secretary of State for Scotland?
7. Which tree genus has the Latin name, Fagus?
8. Who achieved the greatest age for a British Prime Minister at 92 years 364 days?
9. What was the first battle of the Wars of the Roses?
10. Which Scottish Premier League side literally play home games on a dung heap?
11. What is an odalisque? *

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Edmonton
2. 1974
3. Eos
4. Twelfth Night
5. Mark Thompson
6. Des Browne
7. Beech
8. James Callaghan
9. St Albans
10. Aberdeen
11. An Eastern female slave or concubine

Harry Buck


* For the artistically minded among you, fresh from the Louvre in Paris, we present:

La Grande Odalisque
by
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Just trying to raise the tone a little - Ed. ;-)





APOSTLES v. MINDERS

The outcome of this match on Monday, 25th February seemed to be crucial as to the destination of the Division 2 Championship, with only 3 fixtures remaining and just a solitary point separating these stalwarts.

I went along to the Bridge Club anticipating a nail-biter and was not disappointed. The League Leaders, Minders, started as favourites. They were missing the services of Geoff Turner and Dick Birtles but had recruited none other than Bill Meek, a man even more ancient than your correspondent and who has played a few Quizzes in his time!

He was engulfed by the charms of Tree, Olive and Chris, and Apostles certainly had an uphill struggle. Half-time saw an advantage of 46-41 to "Billy- new- mates" but the Apostles, led stoically by legal eagle Brendan, leveled the scores at 59-all at the close of Round 7, in which they managed 14 points to Minders' 2.

The 8th Round ended 68-67 to Minders, who then edged away to a final triumph at 90-86.

Apostles had handed out a scare to the leaders and Brendans crew of Keith, Pete and Mary are to be congratulated on their performance, considering the presence of the Titan Meek! Bob Potter of Serendipity set the questions and fully contributed to a good-humoured affair.


A few of Bobs Posers

1. Who composed a musical setting of "Danse Macabre?"
2. Which bone in the human body is the one most often fractured?
3. Who created the character "Bulldog Drummond?"
4. What was once referred to as "Balfours Poodle?"
5. What are the 4 main blood groups?
6. Which recent West End musical show featured the music of "Blondie?"

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Camille Saint-Saens
2. Collarbone
3. "Sapper" (H.C. McNeile)
4. The House of Lords
5. A, B, AB and O
6. Desperately Seeking Susan

Harry Buck





The Pairs Competition 2007-8

The first Round of this popular event took place on Monday, 11th February at two venues - the Bridge Club, where Andrew Hunter was officiating and also taking part, and the R.A.F.A. Club, where Malcolm Towle was in charge and he too was also participating, with Yvonne Lickerish.

I was partnered by my Bux Kwiz team-mate Geoff North at the Bridge Club and there was very stiff opposition at Bargate, including reigning champs Sue and Rod Mitchell, the aforesaid Andrew Hunter, this year playing with the equally formidable Alan Bentley of Serendipity and the tried and tested duo of Andy Alcock and his R.A.F.A. Dipsos colleague, Steve Pycroft.

The other worthy pairings were Alan Pilcher and Graham Jackson of Time Out, Prue Whincup and Jim Webster from Somnambulists and the Belligerent Fools combination of Trevor Church and John, standing in for Dave Ricketts.

At the end of an interesting session, the reigning champs had been dethroned. After the Mitchells had given Geoff and I the "mother and father" of a trouncing, we slaughtered them in the re-match without the need of the handicap and qualified for the Semi-Finals on points.

I should point out here that each player receives 3 points start per Division, so we had 18 to kick-off with (being near-imbeciles from Division 3). Our opening foray, against Andy and Steve, resulted in a win for us by 22-21, having scored a measly 4 points against their 15! The decider was the last question - to Andy - "Which is the only town on the Scilly Isles?" They failed to answer and I got it - Hughtown-only because I had once stayed there!

They "murdered" us in the rematch to join us in the Semis with Andrew and Alan and Alan and Graham. This is an enjoyable format and it may be worth exploring the possibility of introducing a Pairs League - after all, the gradual erosion of teams of four does cause several long breaks between games.


Just a Taste of the Questions

1. Who was the first bowler to take 300 wickets in Test Cricket?
2. Which opera by Pietro Mascagni was his only real success and includes one of the World's most popular tunes?
3. Who planted the bomb in the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler's life in 1944?
4. Whose recording of "Unchained Melody" went to the top of the UK Charts in 1955?
5. Which two planets have no known moons?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Fred Trueman
2. Cavalleria Rusticana
3. Stauffenberg
4. Jimmy Young
5. Mercury and Venus

Harry Buck





SIMPLE MINDS v BUX KWIZ

RAFA Club 4th February 2008

For much of this Division 3 clash, it appeared that Simple Minds might gain their first points of the season and Bux only pulled away in the last two rounds of a highly enjoyable contest which Ian Welham of Rasen conducted with efficiency and good humour.

If Simple Minds were concerned about their strong prospects of securing the wooden spoon then it hardly showed and Paul, their one thorn among the roses, displayed his own notorious blend of sarcasm punctuated by flashes of knowledge.

He was ably assisted by Liz, Denise and long-serving League Treasurer Sheila Mercer, making a rare but very welcome appearance. Sheilas in her 33rd year as the Leagues first and only custodian of the lolly and all players should be grateful to her for the immense contribution she has made to their enjoyment over such a span.

The eventual winners were served by Mike, Tim, Geoff and Harry but the real victor of the night was the good fellowship that comes from two teams intent on passing the time away happily in pleasant company- and to hell with the result!

The biggest laugh came when Question Master Ian posed Which is the only non pee-faying University As someone remarked-Good job he didnt ask about Friar Tuck!


A few of Ians Questions

1. From which Musical comes the songs Anything You can do I can do Better and Theres no Business like Show Business?
2. Who was the first batsman to score 10000 runs in Test Match Cricket?
3. What, in the world of Economics and Finance, do the initials IFS stand for?
4. Which city has an Airport called George Bush Intercontinental?
5. In which city did Harold MacMillan deliver his Wind of Change speech in 1960?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Annie Get Your Gun
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Institute for Fiscal Studies
4. Houston
5. Cape Town

Harry Buck





Report on the First and Quarter Final Rounds
Individual Shield 2007-8

The original draw for this competition, open to all Quiz League players in teams competing in Divisions 2 and 3, had four games in the First Round and, with Jim Webster, Prue Whincup, Graham Jackson and Dave Shaw having the benefit of byes, four in the Quarter Final.

In the event, 3 players had to forfeit, leaving just one tie to be decided in the opening round, Ian Welham of Rasen taking on a previous champion, Alan Pilcher of Time Out and it could not have been closer- Ian edging out his foe 12-11.

Quarter Finals Results

G. Webster ........ 8

J. Webster. ........ 8

B. Mercer .. ....... 14

S. Fytche ............ 12

v

v

v

v

13 ........ Ian Welham

13 ........ D. Shaw

13 ........ Graham Jackson

9 .......... Prue Whincup

No player has ever scored maximum 15 in this competition but evergreen Bill Mercer looked to have that particular record in his pocket until he stumbled over the name of the artist who had a hit with "Little Arrows". He even knew it involved "leaping" but the name Leapy Lee eluded him! His opponent, Graham Jackson, was mightily unfortunate to score 13 out of 15 and still lose!

So the four semi-finalists to emerge involve two players from Quizlings and two from Rasen and it is to be hoped that the draw for the penultimate round, to be played at 9pm on Thursday, 3rd April, 2008, does not pair them together.

Questions that neither player answered correctly:-

1. What nationality was the wife of Lee Harvey Oswald?
2. Who wrote the lyrics for "West Side Story"?
3. Which Canadian city has the largest population?
4. From which Musical comes the song "A Stranger in Paradise"?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. Russian
2. Stephen Sondheim
3. Toronto
4. Kismet

Harry Buck





RASEN v MINDERS

R.A.F.A. Club 12th November, 2007

This Division 2 clash had the potential to be a real "cracker" and I went along to Cleethorpes on a rather cold evening to witness the first-ever confrontation of two excellent teams- the long-established Minders, with many years of experience in the top Division and Rasen, a side only in their third season in the League but already bidding to taste life at the top.

You have to be keen to be prepared to travel over 20 miles for Winter quizzes and Rasen are an inspiration to the rest of the League in this respect.

Minders were without the stalwart Tree Singleton but, nevertheless, made a storming start to lead by 12 after Round 2 and this became 14 when the mid-term break saw the scoreboard reading 41-27 in favour of the League leaders, although skipper Geoff Turner commented that they had lost greater leads than that!

His words almost came back to haunt him as early as Round 6, Rasen scoring 12 to Minders' 4 and, midway through the penultimate Round 9, the scores were level at 60-all and the final Round began with Minders holding a slender lead of 3.

Round 10 proved an anti-climax, however, and Turner's Terrors saw off Welham's Warriors by 72-64, after what had turned out to be the expected close tussle. The winners were well served by Olive, Dick, Chris and Geoff and Rasen's captain Ian Welham was ably assisted by John, Dave and Graham.

Bill Mercer of Quizlings presented a stiff, though fair, set of questions with his customary competence and bonhomie.


A Sample of Bill's teasers

1. Who was known as "The Prime Minister of Mirth"?
2. What is the alternative name for the Japanese Quince, cultivated for its yellowish fruit?
3. Who was the King of Norway, defeated by Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066?
4. Who was the father of Miranda in Shakespeare's "The Tempest"?
5. Where, in the human body, is the deltoid muscle?
6. In which field was Jean Muir well-known?
7. Who was Mayor of New York at the time of the Twin Towers attack?
8. What was the codename for the "Dambusters" raid?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1. George Robey
2. Japonica
3. Harald Hardrada
4. Prospero
5. In the shoulder
6. Fashion
7. Rudolph Giuliani
8. Operation Chastise

Harry Buck





[Guest report]

Brain of Grimsby
( and other places roundabout )
~A New Quiz Venture~

Andrew Hunter has come up with an idea for a new quiz
based on the B.B.C. Radio 4 quiz, Brain of Britain.


This is a quiz Rod and I both enjoy so we were happy to go along and participate in trial run of the new quiz format. Also responding to the call were Ian Welham and Dave Shaw of Rasen, Pete Gardner of Nemesis, Ian Townsend of Surplus Rowdies and ex-Ram Pete Daniel. The format is as follows:

Round 1 of 6

Player 1 is asked a question. He has twenty seconds to come up with the correct answer. This was later changed to ten seconds as most of the questions were answered in that time, and it was felt that ten seconds would improve the pace of the match.

If Player 1 answers correctly, he is asked another question up to a total of five questions. His turn then ends and he scores 5 points plus 1 bonus point for a total of 6 points.

In the radio version, the other three players have a chance to buzz in and answer for 1 bonus point if the first answer is incorrect. We don't have a buzzer system, nor can we afford one, so Andrew came up with a neat alternative:

If Player 1 doesn't provide a correct answer, Player 2 gives his answer without any additional time for thought. If he fails, it goes to Player 3 to try, then Player 4.

Player 1 has then lost one life, but gets further questions until he fails to answer a second question, at which point his turn ends and the questioning goes on to Player 2.

If Player 2 gives a wrong answer, the chance to gain a bonus point goes to Player 3, then Player 4 and finally to Player 1. When all four players have had their chance of answering five questions, the round is concluded and scores read out.

There was an interval between round 3 and 4. After the interval, the questions are asked in reverse direction, Player 4 being asked the first questions followed by Players 3, 2 and 1.

Game 1

Pete of Nemesis, Ian of Rasen, Rod and I took part in the first game. Pete got off to a flying start with 5 correct answers with a bonus for 6 points. He later picked up another 2 bonus points for a total of 8.

Ian of Rasen scored 3 points on his questions allowing Rod and me to gain a bonus point apiece. He later added a bonus to his tally of 4 points. Rod gave one wrong answer, adding 4 to his earlier bonus for 5 points. I cocked up, ending with only one more point to add to the bonus - just 2 points. 8-( That ended Round 1.

Pete galloped further ahead in Round 2 while I slipped further behind. Round 3 saw me joint second with Rod, leaving Ian trailing and lamenting the jinx of the Mitchells. This brought us to half-time, and a change in direction with me getting the first questions of Round 4 and Pete the last ones.

I began well with all five correct plus the bonus, but Pete was still well ahead with 24 points to my 16. Round 5 was not so good for Pete, gaining only one point while I pulled up to 22. Ian had joined Rod on 13 points.

Round 6 and everything to play for! It was not a good round for the Mitchells despite Rod's taking a bonus from Pete. Ian suddenly woke up, answering all five questions, giving him the bonus, and also picked up three bonus points on top for a total of nine points that round. The final scores were:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Pete Gardner
Sue Mitchell
Ian Welham
Rodney Mitchell

26
24
22
17

Game 2

There being only three contestants in this game - Dave Shaw, Pete Daniel and Ian Townsend - Ian Welham offered to make up the four. He hoped to do better away from his jinx, the Mitchells... {G}
It seemed to work in Round 1 at least as he shot into an early lead with 5 points, followed by Rowdie Ian on 4, Dave on 3 and Pete on 2.

Round 2 saw Rasen Ian increase his lead over Rowdie Ian to 4 points, while Pete overtook Dave. By half-time, this lead had increased again with Rasen Ian on 17 popints. Pete, on 12, had overtaken Rowdie Ian on 10, while Dave languished on 5.

Round 4 and Dave had the first questions, but lucked out. Rowdie Ian pulled up to tie with Pete on 15 points but Rasen Ian had surged ahead to 25, getting all five questions right as well as a couple of questions for bonuses.

The Surge stuttered a little in Round 5, netting only 1 point, while Rowdie Ian answered all his questions - 5 points plus the bonus, but in the final round, Rasen Ian showed them all a clean pair of heels. Jinx? I think it's all in the mind, Ian! ;-) The final scores were:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Ian Welham
Ian Townsend
Pete Daniel
Dave Shaw

33
24
18
11

I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event, regardless of the scores, and it was generally felt that the format worked very well. Pete Daniel contended that 100 questions asked exam-style would be fairer in that it would cut out the element of chance. I disagreed that it was fairer on the grounds that sports questions, which tend to be more specialized, skew the results against female players.

Far too many years experience ::rolls eyes:: have taught me that when a question designated as 'Sport' is asked to a woman, the usual response is a groan before the question is even asked. I feel that this has a lot to do with why the number of female players is so low - maybe 1 in 10? Or maybe they just have better things to do? ;-)

And now, what you've all been waiting for - some questions to get your teeth into. Here is one question from each round:

1. Aqua regis is a combination of which two acids?
2. Which is the only American football team not named after a town?
3. Sir Alec Guinness won an Oscar in 1958 for his part in which film?
4. When Richard Ingrams was sued for criminal libel he said that he could reconcile
himself to most of the terrors of jail, except - what?
5. In the Bible, who were Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar?
6. Which was the last steam locomotive built for British Railways in 1960?
7. In mythology, the shirt of Nessus proved fatal to whom?
8. Who was the second man to take all ten wickets in a Test innings?
9. Which sport would you watch at Prestbury Park?
10. Which was the first man-powered 'plane to cross the English Channel?
11. The aspidistra is pollinated by what?
12. Which Spaniard conquered the Inca Empire?

ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1.

Nitric and hydrochloric acids

2.

New England Patriots

3.

The Bridge Over the River Quai

4.

"the prospect of a visit from the Earl of Longford."

5.

Job's comforters

6.

Evening Star

7.

Hercules

8. Anil Kumblé
9.

Horseracing (home of the Cheltenham Gold Cup race)

10.

Gossamer Albatross

11.

Snails ! ! !

12.

Francisco Pizarro

Sue Mitchell





SERENDIPITY v NEMESIS

R.A.F.A. Club, 16th October 2007.

This Division 1 clash featured the strong Serendipity side, under the ebullient Bob Potter, against a Nemesis crew, now sadly without the late Roy Collins, their ex-skipper and friend.

New captain Pete Gardner has recruited another Peter plus a former Swats man, John, but their first game, unfortunately against champions Surplus Rowdies, had resulted in a dispiriting 90-60 reverse, so they must have been less than sanguine at the prospect of facing the side which finished last season in third place.

Their chances looked slim indeed after the first round, at the end of which they were 3-11 down but they gradually hauled themselves back into the fray and, with Pete Gardner and Denis Brown outstanding for Nemesis and going head-to-head with Serendipitys star, Alan Bentley, the scores remained extremely close to an exciting climax which saw Nemesis creep home by the narrow margin of 85-81.

Serendipity paraded Bob, Martin, Alan and Phil while the winners were served by Pete, Peter, Denis and John. Roy would have been so proud!


Questions unanswered by anyone

1. Which famous explorer sailed in the Erebus?

2. What was the first name of the Jazz Great known as Hawk?

3. In which city was Gordon Brown born in 1951?

4. Which monarch founded the Order of the Bath?

5. What is another name for a Papaya fruit?

6. What is the opening line of Psalm 121?

7. Saying I shant be sorry instead of I shall be glad is an example of which figure of speech?

8. What type of bird is a yellowhammer?

9. Which property, on a London monopoly board, lies between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square?


ANSWERS

[ Run the mouse cursor over the space beside each number to reveal the answer. ]

1) Franklin

3) Glasgow

5) Pawpaw

7) Litotes

9) Fenchurch Street Station.

2) Coleman (Hawkins)

4) George 1st

6) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help

8) Bunting



Potentially the most difficult question of the match:-

What is the Worlds largest carnivorous marsupial - was answered correctly by Martin of Serendipity

Answer > The Tasmanian Devil.

Harry Buck





SEASON 2007/2008 PREVIEW

After a largely forgettable Summer, it is time, once again, to get out the stopwatches and the scoreboards and harness the massive cache of knowledge lurking in the brains of the myriad characters who regularly sidle into the Bridge and R.A.F.A. Clubs hoping to remember who the new Education Secretary is or what the Capital City of Burkina Faso happens to be or if anyone particularly cares!

Only 19 teams, comprising 3 Divisions, will be on duty this season - one less than last time, since the demise of Tea Seas. We seem to be almost down to a hardcore of anoraks a few moons ago, over 80 teams preceded the, now widespread, Pub Quizzes! I know that question-setting can be a thankless task sometimes but theres still much to enjoy if played in the right spirit of a pleasant pastime rather than an over-obsessive will to win. My past predictions have had their many goofs but here goes again!

Division 1

I should love to see a real outsider come through to take the top crown but the shakedown is likely to figure champs Surplus Rowdies and the newly-named R.A.F.A. Dipsos with Serendipity and Swats waiting to exploit any slip-ups by the two giants.

Nemesis have been dealt a blow with the sad news of the passing of veteran leaguer Roy Collins and we all send our condolences to his grieving family.

Division 2

The relegated Apostles and Minders could both bounce back up as champions here but they will face the stiffest possible challenge from the excellent Rasen team, last seasons beaten finalists in the
Team Knock-Out.

Division 3

Time Out and Quizlings, both down from Division 2, look to have the strongest chances but Belligerent Fools can never be ignored, with both Two Wits and Bux Kwiz always being capable of springing a surprise on their day, despite fielding some of the more decrepit campaigners!

Harry Buck







Fixtures for Division 1 Results for Division 1 League Table for Division 1 Fixtures for Division 2 Results for Division 2 League Table for Division 2 Fixtures for Division 3 Results for Division 3 League Table for Division 3 Contents Page Harry's Page - Match Reports Puzzles and Quizzles Wot it sez