University Challenge is back a week on Monday!

I've set up a new thread for the new series, and will not be spoiler tagging my summaries this time, so don't read the thread if you don't want to know the result.

I will try to post a short summary after the show, followed by a more complete review over on Online Writings later on.

Not a spectacular start to the series tonight, but not a terrible one either. York were on fairly level terms with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance for the most part, but pulled away late on to win by 185-105. Trinity Laban are unlikely to return in the repechage, but we will see. As for York, I need to see them play again before I can reach conclusions on how well they are likely to do this year.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-1.html

Well, tonight's match between St George's, London and King's, Cambridge was certainly much better than last week's. The sides were on fairly level terms throughout, but St George's clinched the match right at the end to win by 175-145. King's may well have done enough to return in the repechage; we'll have to wait and see.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... -2-st.html

After a two week break for the Olympics, the show returned tonight, with Wadham College, Oxford playing Bristol. 'Twas far from a classic match; neither side really got into gear, with Bristol emerging narrow winners by 120-105, which I think may be the lowest ever winning score achieved under Jeremy Paxman's rule.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-3.html

Well, tonight's match was a bit of trouncing, with Durham taking the lead over Strathclyde early on, and never losing it. But Strathclyde rallied in the final three minutes, and clawed their way to a respectable score of 70. But Durham had 245, and surely have to be early favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-4.html

Tonight's match, between Queen Mary London and Jesus College Oxford, was not bad, but not terribly good either. The Oxonians did maintain the lead for much of the match, but the Londoners recovered in the closing minutes, though not enough to totally catch up. Jesus College won the match 150-120, but will likely need to play better to progress.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-5.html

Tonight's match between Magdalen College Oxford and Sidney Sussex College Cambridge started out close, but ultimately disappointed. Sidney Sussex led at the start, but Magdalen gained the upper hand in the later stages, and ran away to win 205-125. Doubtful that Sidney Sussex have done enough to return as highest scoring losers, which is a shame, as they were a very good team, who didn't deserve to lose like that at all.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-6.html

Whew, what a great match! Manchester were behind from the off, as Lincoln College Oxford pulled out a strong lead, with Manchester well behind. However, the Mancunians pulled it back, and, with barely seconds to go, leveled the scores at 175 all; one bonus right on the gong saw them scrape a victory by the narrowest of margins. Hard luck to Lincoln, but surely they'll be back in the repechage.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-7.html

Tonight's match between Imperial College London and Jesus College Cambridge was a bit of a trouncing I'm afraid; the Londoners took the lead early on, and ended up winning by 225-80. A team to watch later on, I would think. The Cambridge team were unlucky, as Paxo rightly stated.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-8.html

Tonight's match between St Andrews and Bangor sounds pretty boring from it's final score of 125-105 in Bangor's favor, but it was certainly entertaining, and it's a shame we won't be seeing St Andrews again.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... -9-st.html

Another pretty non-descript match tonight, with Pembroke College Cambridge beating Lancaster 200-140. Lancaster may have done enough to survive to the repechage, which would be fair, as they were a decent enough team.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ch-10.html

Tonight's match between Bath and Liverpool was yet another low scoring affair, but still had plenty of highlights. In the end, Bath won by 125-110, which is fair, as they were probably the stronger team.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ch-11.html

Oh dear. Tonight's match between UCL and Exeter began close, but when UCL took the lead, they never lost it, and pulled away to a huge win of 260-85. UCL's score is the highest of the series so far, and they must be favored to progress to the semis. Exeter could well have beaten a different team, and it's a shame we won't be seeing them again.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ch-12.html

Just like today's deal then - a complete and utter spanking!

Tonight's match saw New College Oxford defeat Homerton College Cambridge 230-145. New College could go a bit further with a good draw. Homerton will be back in the repechage. Next week's runners-up need to equal or better Homerton's score to join them.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ch-13.html

Tonight, the first round ended with UC regulars Warwick beating my local uni of Aberdeen by 175-100. Not a terribly spectacular match, as has been the way with most of the matches so far this series. Maybe things will pick up next week with the first play-off for highest scoring losers.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ch-14.html

The first play-off match tonight, and what must be the first shock of the series, as Lancaster defeated hot favorites Lincoln College Oxford by 165-120.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... y-off.html

A very good close enjoyable match tonight between Homerton College Cambridge and King's College Cambridge, with King's emerging victorious with 205-160. A good performance by both, and a shame neither deserved to go out.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... ff_12.html

The second round kicked off tonight with a bit of trouncing, as Pembroke College Cambridge defeated Bath University by 255-75. Bath were simply unlucky on the buzzers really; Pembroke must be favoured to do well in the quarters.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-1.html

Tonight's match between York and New College Oxford may have ended up a large victory for the Oxonians, but it was much closer than is suggested. York gave a great fight, and it's a shame they're leaving us.

Online Writings review: http://jacksonlinewritings.blogspot.co. ... tch-2.html