The Final Countdown – and a new Record

 

“This is the sorrowful story Told as the twilight fails

And the monkeys walk together Holding their neighbours’ tails”

The final game of the season and the Lemmings were facing their sister team the Waters Green Rams who were already guaranteed promotion. With Bob struck down by flu the Lemmings were unlikely to strike out and defeat the Rams but time would tell.

The questions had been set by the Weaver and we thought they were very good, well balanced and most were answered (even if it was by just one of the teams!). There was laughter, banter and generally good humour throughout the game that was a most enjoyable evening.

Sunil covered for Bob and once again scored more than his dad, individual scores being Sunil 9/12, Wendy 6/15, Nick 6/6 and Tomo 12/9 with conferred points 13/8 and pass-overs 0/8; the Rams collected 7/21 pass-overs. Perhaps all that can be said is that it’s a pity we weren’t playing pontoon as all scores except Nick’s were 21!!! Maybe we should start a new League.

But to put all this into perspective at the end of the Specialist the Lemmings were lagging with 46 to 63 and the General Knowledge score of 58 to 116 did nothing to recover the deficit. Final score the Rams won with 179 to 104 – a difference of 75 points that we think is the heaviest defeat ever inflicted on the Lemmings in their various guises since the Rising Sun days.

Brian and Stephen then provided an excellent chicken curry with naan and rice that was very good indeed – a sort of celebratory feast for the Rams and a consolation for the Lemmings – thank you Brian and Stephen, to the Rams for an enjoyable evening and to the question master who showed fairness and quiet humour.

March 14th Home tothe Park Taverners

 

The lengthening days and shadows herald the dawn of spring but also the twilight of winter – and the season for the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League. Just two more games - tonight’s against old friends the Park Taverners.

Wendy was playing again and as Bob had family responsibilities Sunil stepped in as reserve; the questions did not match with the Lemmings’ strengths and in fact it was a very slow scoring game, the first round for instance (both teams) scored only 1 conferred, 2 pass-overs with just one 3 – Tomo as usual on form struggling to keep the Lemmings’ head above water.

At the end of the Specialist the visitors had built up a substantial lead with 58 to the Lemmings’ 36 – not a good start but at least consistent as the General Knowledge again saw the the visitors increase their lead with 87 to 71  - a sound thrashing with 145 to 107. No complaints, the questions were fair, balanced and the visitors worthy winners – well done. Not planned but if our defeat allows the Park Taverners to remain in the B League next season we will be very happy.

Individual scores were Sunil 0/12. Wendy 9/12, Nick 3/9 and Tomo 18/18; conferred 4/11, pass-overs 2/9 and the visitors collected 8/6 passovers.

Brian provided an excellent cheeseboard to round off the evening – many thanks also to the question master and to the visitors for a most enjoyable evening.

As a bonus for the question harvesters I will shortly publish the questions from the East Cheshire Hospice quiz last Friday – it was very well attended (except by one team who fielded only three of the eight allowed, two of whom came late!!! But still came 9th – again thanks to Tomo’s sterling efforts all alone), excellent fun and over £1600 raised – next quiz July 14th

7th March Away to the British Flag

 

This game was played the day after team member Matt was laid to rest following an extremely well attended and deeply moving service in Rainow parish church. Representatives from the many walks of life that Matt trod came to pay their respects from football, refereeing, running, university days, Loreto School where he taught…. and of course quizzers from several teams in the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League. Touched with humour the eulogy read by Laura showed the deep love they shared from university, to marriage, to their beautiful sons in whom they have so much pride. Those of us who thought they knew him discovered unknown depths – he taught himself Greek, and was an exceptionally good cook of particularly Middle Eastern and North African food although he was himself a non-preaching vegetarian. The Loreto Girls Choir sang beautifully in a service that was truly a celebration of his life and achievements.

Afterwards the groups moved to the delightful country pub the Robin Hood where beers reflecting Matt’s interests were displayed on the pump clips with a wide selection of refreshments including a never to be forgotten fruit cake.

Matt was able to draw together his many interests , in particular Nick remembers that once when Matt had set the questions for the quiz he first asked them of his students to ensure that balance and difficulty were right. He is sorely missed, may he rest in peace – the world is a poorer place without him.

So the Lemmings faced up to a game against the British Flag sitting at the top of the League with promotion assured. It is a very welcoming pub and the draught Bass was in good form and the home team are old friends and adversaries. The specialist questions had been set by the Nag’s Head and unfortunately did not play to the Lemmings’ strengths as they were adrift with 43 to the Flag’s 57 by the half-way mark. They began to pull back some of the lead with the General Knowledge rounds (set by The Sutton Mutton) until the final three rounds where they took a severe beating losing with 61 to the Flag’s 82 – final score 139 to 104. There were murmurings that the nominations for the Nine-Banded Armadillo were to grow this week.

Individual scores were Bob 9/12, Wendy 6/12, Nick 6/12 and Tomo 9/12 with 7/9 conferred points, 6/4 pass-overs whilst the Flag collected 7/9 pass-overs.

Thanks are due to Alasdair the question master who controlled the game with a light touch and good humour, to the Flag landlord for an excellent selection of sandwiches and of course to the Flag quiz team who will now march off to the rarer air of the A League – we wish them luck.

28th February - Question Setters/Masters

 

This week the Lemmings had set both sets of questions and were question masters – we’d like to thank all teams for their support and messages of sympathy.

There was a bit of a mix-up with the questions for which I apologise.

Hope to see a good quiz turnout on Monday