University Challenge 2012/2013 - Match 3

University Challenge - 2012/2013 - Round 1 - Match 3

Wadham Oxford vs Bristol

As sad as I am to see the Olympics end, one minor consolation is the return of University Challenge which is still in the early stages of its run. 

Wadham Oxford

Alistair Smount

Jonathan Hall

Jonathan Stanhope

Oliver Forrest

vs

Bristol

James Xiao

Andy Suttie

Will Brady

Madeline Fforde

Wadham were introduced as the youngest team of the series at an average age of 19, compared to their opponents 26, and I had a horrible feeling that may count against them!

The contest between these two universities got into its stride early and the pattern remained. By the time Bristol had a 35-10 lead, powered by Will Brady who used the thinking time to get a good answer early on rather than buzz in with a guess, the pattern was set. Bristol kept this lead and never looked back. The gap remained the same throughout much of the first half of the show with both teams really failing to make full use of bonuses.

The last episode had particularly tough questions and without meaning any disrespect to the players tonight, this weeks was much easier but the teams struggled to cope. A lot of failures to get the initial questions kept the show going at a very slow pace.

Wadham were picking up points put not enough to pressure Bristol and the only real sign of a comeback came late on when Brady buzzed early to loose 5 and Wadham took control of the questions but again a failure to answer the bonuses resulted in a lead that was still 110. By the time Andy Suttie  buzzed in on the last question it was all over with the final score being 120-105.

Wadham had a decent run and credit to the team for putting out a side of "normal" university age. Bristol won but with a rather low score so it will be interesting to see how they come up against better opposition in the next round.

As usual though some great question setting and an entertaining episode!