Prodigals lost to History Men

Over the years the History Men have upset a few applecarts...

As Ivor reports women are just history...

Tonight was the first time for some time that the Historymen were indeed all men.  I realise that might be regarded as an inflammatory statement in this era of wokery especially on the day that marks the political expiry of Nicola Sturgeon - an expiry partly due to her strange definition of womanhood that includes double rapists with an intact membrum virile (I revert to Latin anatomical descriptions in case the word 'penis' frightens the horses).

However we were definitely missing Anne and Vanessa who by all definitions are ladies not laddies.  Even Keir Starmer might recognise them as women.  Anne was topping up her vitamin D levels in Ibiza.  How times change; in the past folk of Derbyshire mining stock just ate more margarine in the winter.  Vanessa was on half term and hopefully resting from the daily grind of educating 30 under-tens.  Ray and Rupert were very worthy stand-ins: extra knowledge, no blurting and focussed to the end (neither of them drink vodka).  We even managed to win the last three rounds to gain an unexpected victory and do the double over our worthy opponents, probably for the first time ever.  It should make the race for the title very exciting with the 1/3/23 Prodigals-KFD match the key battle. 

Anne-Marie was in the QM seat and she will probably have something to say about proof-reading and the lack of the Oxford comma.  Anything less than 12 point type might also have challenged some readers.  The quiz itself was pretty difficulty as our combined score of 69 proved.  Only 16 twos (8-8) and 11 unanswereds (6-5).  Our win was due to us getting 4 steals to the Prodigals 3.  Despite Anne-Marie chivvying us along it was a long evening and when the test starts to feel like an exam that one is unprepared for, it can diminish the enjoyment even when one is winning. 

However as I sit here having to prepare and edit next week’s quiz paper feast from some very thin gruel, there were some highlights.  We cracked the three consecutive letters by question four which got us 'Tuvalu', but I'm afraid 'dabchick' defeated us all.  The 'Punny Old World' made a welcome return and raised our spirits.  Hats off to the setter (who presumably set the first 'Punny' round last November) and we look forward to future attempts as balancing a suitably difficult question with a suitably cryptic and amusing pun takes some skill.

(R4/Q8)

Michael comments on a long and disappointing evening...

For us this was an exercise in abject horror.  After two rounds, we were drawing 7-7.  The drinks break didn’t come until 10 o’clock, and we didn’t finish until ten to eleven. 

Fair play to the History Men, who knew slightly more of the answers than we did, and were convivial company as ever, but I'm afraid we really didn't enjoy this one.

The league's yo-yo team have a rising week

Deputising for absent skipper Howell, Mike celebrates...

A very close game between two teams that are well-matched stretched a long evening to nigh on closing time.  The Opsimaths led early doors - but it looked as if the Bards might nick it at the end but for the last pair of film questions which clinched it for the visitors.

Bards Tony, Jim, Robin and John were on good form as were Nick, Brian, Hilary and myself tackling a paper that probably suited the older demographic (as elderly citizens are portentously dubbed these days).  Music questions were largely of a classical bent (thanks, Roddy and James) and knowledge of political geography was at a premium for those wanting to succeed on this week's paper.  My own experience of late (via University Challenge contestants for one) is that those under  (say) 30 simply don't know where places are.  SatNav is to blame I guess.  But I've ranted about this too often - I'll move on.

Best moment for me was watching Brian shift uneasily in his seat as he tackled the 'punny' question referring to genital discomfort.  He got the right piece of equipment but only managed to 'roach' it rather than 'chafe' it.  The Bards were cock-a-hoop of course.

Many thanks to James who helped out by QMing and (as is his wont) adding some interesting titbits of knowledge along the way.  Finally my apologies to John and Robin whose names I keep getting confused.  Both of them plug important areas of knowledge for a formidable Bards line up.  The Opsimaths were flattered to come out on top.

(R2/Q6)