Turned Over By The Plough

Apologies to The Plough teams - see footnote

As the long wet summer succumbed to what promises to be a long wet autumn and winter, furtive figures emerged from the shadows of Waters Green and shuffled into the Tavern; hollow-eyed from a summer of swotting up on American capitals, collective nouns for obscure animals and various ologies they sheepishly approached the table stacked high with official looking envelopes. Yes the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League started last night and the question masters were collecting the night's questions.

The Waters Green Phoenix were playing away at The Plough against the Plodders - old friends over many years. Anxiety began to mount as the team assembled as there was no sign of Wendy and frantic phone calls failed to get a response.

Eventually the depleted team set off in Bob's car and drove until the luminous green lights of the Plough cut through the mists and drizzle. The Plough is now blessed with two teams and is a very warm and friendly pub with two real ales on offer and a third in the cellar. Wendy's absence was covered by a dirty beer mat we found on the floor and the game began.

The questions were of a very high standard (set single-handedly by Mark secretary of the Leagues) and were thoroughly enjoyed by all - see link at right). At the end of the Specialist the Taverners trailed by six points that they were never able to make up as they slipped gradually behind.

There were no serious bloopers but lots of laughter and enjoyment. The Plough eventually finished on top and the evening was rounded off with a fine selection of sandwiches. They were worthy winners.

Individual scores were Bob 15/24, Tomo 15/9, Nick 12/12 and the dirty beer mat scored nothing individually. Conferred points (including the beer mat's contribution) were 11/16 and just 2/7 passovers. The Plough picked up 3/7 passovers with a final score of 150 to the Phoenix' 123.

An enjoyable evening but there are challenges ahead for the Phoenix.

When I first wrote this blog, I welcomed the new team at the Plough that had moved from the George & Dragon because of uncertainties for its future; according to the fixtures we played the Plough Plodders but when I looked at the result sheet we had played the Plough Horntails so I removed the reference to the G&D. Then I realised that the Plough Taverners had asked the questions so we hadn't played them!! So to put the record straight, we played the Horntails who were worthy winners; the questions were asked by the Plough Taverners who did the job with good humour. And I'm sorry I cocked up!!!