10th December–Halfway Point–Home to the Horntails

The Horntails are old friends and a game with them is always a joy with lots of jokes and laughter and this was no different.
The questions however were not at all well received, reflected in the comparatively low scores. They were however closely contested and at the end of the Specialist rounds the Horntails led by a nose with 50 to the Lemmings 49. They did even better in the General Knowledge with 82 to the Lemmings 76 taking the game with 132 to 125 Well done and thanks for a most enjoyable evening.
A special mention must also be made for Judy acting as question master for the first time – she was very good on timing whilst controlling the game with a light touch and good humour.
Individual scores Bob 6/18 Sunil 9/12 Nick 6/12 Tomo 12/15 Conferred 9/14 Passovers 7/15 the visitors collected 7/9 pass-overs.
No games now until the new year so the Lemmings extend their best wishes to all teams in the League for a very happy festive season and may 2020 bring all you wish for.
A big thank you to the Horntails and Judith and to Brian for a very tasty selection of sandwiches as we look forward to the second rounds of games.

3rd December Home to the Chester Road Tavern

To borrow a phrase from Bob Dylan “The Times They are a’changing” – not only is there a general election in10 days time when many of us hope to see a change of government and a movement towards a fairer society, but this week the Lemmings were playing the Chester Road. It is some years since these two teams clashed but it has always been an enjoyable experience – the visitors have built up a reputation for only playing people with the name Moores but even this was changed this week.

And in a final break in tradition when the visitors won the toss, the Lemmings were surprised to be given first in the specialist – our usual choice when we’ve won the toss.

The Specialist questions were not very popular being very much Trivial Pursuit style but the Lemmings managed to steal a lead of 51 to the visitors 38 and a beer break was welcomed

The General Knowledge were a little better and allowed the Lemmings to increase their lead with 77 to 51 giving  a final score of 128 to 90. It was an enjoyable game steered lightly by Dave from the Nags who was asking the questions.

Individual scores were Bob 12/12, Becky 0/3, Nick 6/12 and Tomo 12/18; Conferred points were 12/16 with 9/16 pass-overs while the visitors pi8cked up 4/7 pass-overs.

More beer and a generous plateful of varied sandwiches rounded off the evening – thank you Brian, the visitors for a pleasant friendly game and to the question master Dave,

26th November Back at the Dolphin

This time it was the second round of the Cup and Rakesh was called off the bench to play.

It was a very pleasant game with lots of jokes and anecdotes and fairly well balanced: in the first 20 the Dolphin led with 18 to 11, but in the next 20 the Lemmings pulled back a bit with 17 to the Dolphin’s 13 but they hit back with a storming 22 to the Lemmings’ 11. The Lemmings were trailing 53 to 39 –  clearly it was time for a beer break after which the home team just shaved the next 20 with 18 to 17, but the Lemmings took the penultimate group with 15 to 13, a score mirrored by the Dolphin in the last round with 15 to 13.

Final score 99 to 84 – well done the Dolphins and a big thank you to the question master from the Church House who did a splendid job with a light touch.

A very pleasant evening was rounded off with a selection of well-filled sandwiches – many thanks to the landlord and of course to the Dolphins for a great game.

19th November–away to the Dolphin

Odd how tings you have taken for granted for ages suddenly become a puzzle when a new voice asks why is an inland pub in Macclesfield called the Dolphin – in some way it seems to be linked to Wellington and the Battle of Waterloo but not managed to find out much more.

This was a clash that the Lemmings had been dreading as the home team have only visited the B League from the A League this season.They were in third position with two games in hand and the Lemmings were next to bottom and only the previous week Nick had asked the questions as the Robin Hood were beaten.

The Lemmings quite liked the Specialist rounds and although they put up a strong performance finished with a deficit of 3 with 63 to the Dolphin’s 66 – more or less as expected.

In the General Knowledge the Lemmings fought on despite being held back by Nick thinking that a Macclesfield estate agent (Northwood) was an anagram of Doctor Who!! However they managed to steal a lead of 83 to 79 eventually winning the game by a solitary point! Of particular note is Sunil’s personal best and congratulations to Tomo who broke through the 40 barrier.

Individual scores were Bob 6/21, Sunil 12/15, Nick 12/6 and Tomo 21/21 with conferred points 10/12 and 2/8 pass-overs whilst the Dolphin picked up 4/9 pass-overs.

It was a most enjoyable game rounded off with a fine chilli con carne with rice and garlic bread – many thanks to the landlord, to the Dolphin Dragons and especially Dave from the Harrington Academicals who controlled the game with a fine sense of humour and timely beer breaks.

12th November Question Masters

The Lemming had to cover three venues for this week’s games:

Tomo visited the well-established Nag’s Head who played the newly-promoted Chester Road Tavern;

Sunil assisted by Rakesh saw our sister team the Rams be defeated by the Harrington Academicals on home turf

Nick was at the Dolphin, well-known for the high standard of its Robinsons ales and enjoyed a most enjoyable evening where many of the questions evoked memories and anecdotes of people met and life’s incidents. Nick’s favourite was of a player’s father who was in the Irish army when war broke out and the government decided to declare an emergency only to discover there was one already from the Civil War

Marching on …

5th November Home to the Nag’s Head

Despite the date we were expecting no fireworks in this game although it almost started with a damp squib – it was only due to Mark’s vigilance that we realised that we had to provide the question master for the night leading to frantic phone calls and emails.

Our opponents for the evening were a very friendly and light-hearted group against whom we have crossed swords (or at least words) many times over the years.

the questions were pretty good but at the end of the Specialist rounds the Lemmings were trailing by 9 points with 50 to the Nag’s 59 – ‘ we’ve overturned such a lead before.

Unfortunately the General Knowledge were just as unfortunate for the Lemmings which they lost with 70 to the Nag’s 89 – final score 148 to 129.

No complaints about the questions and special mention must be made of Becky who stepped in to be question master for the night ably assisted by Rak with the scoring.

Individual scores were Bob 9/21, Sunil 3/9, Nick 6/18 and Tomo 21/18 with 8/9 conferred and 3/4  pass-overs. The visitors picked up 9/4 pass-overs.

It was another very pleasant evening with the Rams and many thanks are due to Brian for a fine selection of tasty sandwiches and a log fire and well done Becky for stepping at short notice.

22nd October–Away to the Harrington Academicals

Ah the Harrington at Gawsworth home to so many memories – the 20W bulb, pickled eggs, the end of a summer walk, cyclists gathering, the evening folk music sessions all under the vigilant eye of Mrs Bailey who never forgave Robinsons Brewery for introducing hand pumps so she no longer had to take a jug to the cellar.Despite some modernisation the Harrington still remains the model for a country pub,

The Lemmings last played the Academicals in the Plate final where, although they did not disgrace themselves, they lost heavily and weren’t exactly looking for revenge especially as Bob was not playing.

The questions were pretty good and the only bleak spot was when Nick, the champion of conferrals, gave three wrong answers!!  This must be a record. Tomo saved embarrassment by almost scoring 40!

Original scores Becky 9/9, Rakesh 0/0, Nick 6/12,Tomo15/24 conferred points 10/16 with 5/6 pass-overs.

It was a game played with good humour that was rounded off with with a very tasty selection of sandwiches – many thanks to the Academicals, to the landlords and to Keith question master from the Rams.

15th October Away to the Rams–Local Derby

This was the week Nick was away tasting the beer, wines and delicacies of Alsace so the team welcomed new volunteer reserve Rakesh to make up 4 with Bob, Tomo and Sunil.. As Nick was away he cannot really comment on the game but at least the questions are available at the website http://maccql.com/questions/latest/latest%20questions.php

Unfortunately the Lemmings were heavily defeated by the Rams with scores of 173 to 110 (a decent score in many other games!!) with individual scores being Bob 6/18, Sunil 0/2, Rakesh 0/0 and Tomo 15/12 with 19 conferred and 6 pass-overs. The Lemmings hope to settle down now with fewer absences.

8th October Home to the Robin Hood

Looking back to the last season there were several similarities with Macc Town Football Club already noted but none as  spectacular as the fight for survival at the end of the season – both teams narrowly avoided relegation with a last gasp rally, the footballers guided by the magnificent Sol Campbell;not only that neither team was paid! The Lemmings held together but sadly Sol had to move on to build his career and we wish him all the best. The footballers however are now facing administration and expulsion from the League. Why buy a team with no intention of supporting it?

The Lemmings first game of the season was against the Robin Hood who filled the blog last week when the Lemmings for once had nothing to say – it was very interesting, well written and welcome.Many thanks for that.

However this good will was stretched rather as when the Lemmings arrived (minus Bob whom the RH had given a lift) were ensconced in the Lemmings traditional home table and chairs – was this a bad omen for the game?

The questions whilst perhaps long-winded were nevertheless very, thoughtful, different and much appreciated and marks were awarded accordingly. The Lemmings took a little time to hit their stride and whilst Bob and Tommo both did well they slipped behind in the Specialist rounds ending with 49 to the visitors’ 57.

After a refreshing break and fortified by the magnificent ales at the bar the Lemmings slowly began to climb back led by Bob and Tomo and finished with an excellent score of  79 to 66 making up the deficit of 8 and winning by 5 points

Individual scores were Bob 12/15, Sunil 3/6, Nick 3/12 and Tomo 12/18 with conferred points 14/19 and 5/9 pass-overs. The visitors collected 5/5 pass-overs so a final score of 128 to 123 to the Lemmings.

It was a most enjoyable evening with lots of laughter.helped considerably by the humorous and fair question master particularly with deft use of the completely fictitious name Colin Figgis dreamt up by Bob when we didn’t know the real answer.A final drink and a varied selection of  tasty sandwiches rounded off the evening. Many thanks to Brian, the Robin Hood (not least for getting Bob to the Tavern and home) and the question master.

1st October first games of the season


The Lemmings have no game this week so I am pleased to publish this article from the Rainow Village magazine:

The Robin Hood Quiz Team - Question: What Happened? By Jim Kennelly

When we last wrote about the Robin Hood Quiz team back in 2015 things were looking extremely good; after only 4 seasons in the competition, we had ascended to Mount Olympus, colloquially known as the A league of the Macclesfield Quiz League.
Here be Heavyweight Quizzers, Saloon Bar Sages and Titans of Trivia, some with a presence on national broadcast media. The established A league teams have a former winner of Mastermind, contestants from TV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Fifteen to One and people on Phone a Friend terms with panellists off Eggheads. A matter of a few weeks ago, two A league stars appeared on BBC Radio 4 as competitors in the Brain of Britain contest.

What does the Robin Hood Quiz team have in common with 1960s Northampton Town FC? Is it that both are called Cobblers?

So how could us minnows survive swimming with the A league sharks? Well, the A league has similarities with Football’s Premier League. The four teams at the top are clearly stronger than the rest of the league - for the last 15 years this quartet have provided all the league champions, indeed in 12 out of the last 15 years the winners were one or other of the two Ox-fford pub teams. The remaining teams oscillate between A league relegation and promotion from the B league. So we were not completely overawed when we joined the A league – half the teams there we had played and beaten before.
We became bottom-dwelling scavengers, concentrating on games against other recent ex-B league teams. It worked; we amassed sufficient wins to flit away from the relegation zone. We had risen to the A league and survived!
Meanwhile in the engine rooms of the B league, there were ominous stirrings - teams were remodelling, reforming and strengthening with big hitters. The two B league teams promoted to the A league for the 2016-2017 season were a fearsome prospect and we had never played them before in their new configuration. They did to us what we tried to do to them – and so we were relegated at the end of the season.
We accepted that we would probably be another Yo-Yo team shuttling between the A and B leagues. However, smug complacency comes before a fall. During the following B league season we couldn’t win an argument, couldn’t call the toss right, even if we were to bring our own double-headed coin. We played the same as always, amassing good scores, but now almost always coming in a few tantalising points short of the opposition. Far from pushing for promotion, we were in freefall and plummeting towards the bottom of the B league table. A late rally brought a couple of wins, but too little too late, we were relegated and by October 2018 the Robin Hood Quiz Team had returned back where we started 7 years ago - the C league.
How did that happen? The team comprised all the same individuals that performed well in the A league. The only change was that Phil Moss, the initiator of the Robin Hood Quiz team, relinquished the captaincy due to scheduling conflicts (or as some might put it, having a life). Another member of the team filled in as captain. This player, although capable of strong individual performances, sometimes had eccentric decision-making processes when adjudicating on conferred team answers. Maybe this was sufficient to shave a few critical points off?
The team generously decided to give the captain the benefit of the doubt and we started our latest C league campaign unchanged. At least we had the consolation that we could not be demoted for a third successive year – there is no D league. In some ways, our Odyssey in the Quiz League resembled that of one particular football club, itself the occasional subject of a pub quiz question: “During the 1960s, which club rose from the 4^th Division of the Football League to the First then back down to the 4^th in almost successive seasons?” Answer: Northampton Town 1960 to 1969. Unfortunately, Northampton Town are nicknamed “the Cobblers” – best not to extend the analogy too far.
Back in the C league, however, the Robin Hood blasted off like a rocket, with 11 straight match wins. Just when we feeling we might end the season with a clean sweep (smug complacency – see above) we received a timely reality check, dropping a match to the second placed team. Nonetheless we still ran out as 2019 champions with 13 wins out of 14, with the real competition in the league being the scramble for the second place promotion slot. The quiz league website complimented the Robin Hood on an excellent season and hinted that we might be expected to challenge for the B league title again next season. Possibly, but we need to beware smug complacency (see above).
After our experiences, our team motto should change from Nil Desperandum (loosely translated: It’ll be alright on the night) to Delapsus Resurgum (when we fall, we rise again)
So congratulations to the Robin Hood Quiz team: Phil Moss, Lorraine Hilton, Tony Wilkinson, Andrew Clark, Tim Grimes, Jenny Edwards and Jim Kennelly. Prospects for next season: given our recent history – Who Knows?




Tonight the Robin Hood plays the Harrington Academicals who thrashed the Lemmings in the Plate final – we wish both teams the best of luck.
The original article contained a picture but for some reason cannot include (did read W10 latest update has picture problems) - sorry Jim

THE DAWN OF A NEW SEASON

After the long summer months of storms, floods and blistering heat the stalwarts of the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League gathered at the Weaver to welcome the new season.

The first game of the new season was the Plate final between the Harrington Academicals and the Waters Green Lemmings; the Lemmings once again had mirrored the fortunes of Macc Town FC both narrowly avoiding relegation at the end of last season but least clung together whereas Sol Campbell who had done so much to rescue the football team has sadly now left.

AS usual the game was played at the Weaver, a Robinson’s pub with a cask ae that was new to some of us.

Bob who has played in the Quiz League for many years was unfortunately on holiday on the night and was sorely missed although the team played well with a wide range of interests that helped.

The game started off with little to choose between the teams in the first two rounds and promised to be a tightly fought contest.

The first round went to the Harrington with 17 points to 14, but the Lemmings fought back in round 2 with 14 points to 12. But round 3 turned the game around with questions heavily weighted on sport which the Academicals took with 24 to the Lemmings 6.

There was then a beer break before round 4 that the Academicals took with 21 to 12. Undeterred the Lemmings fought back taking round 5 with 14 to 7 but the Academicals clinched the game taking the last round and winning the game with 95 to 73.

It was a game played in good spirits and was thoroughly enjoyable with Mark and Paul steering with a light touch.

We are now looking forward to the new season.

26th March Sink or Swim

The last game of the season but there was little of the end of term japes that we see at end of term as the sword of Damocles was still hanging over the head of the Lemmings.Last week’s win managed to lift them to three above bottom not relegation but still not safe. But the last game is against the Nags Head against whom the Lemmings have seldom emerged victorious.

The Nags is a lovely old market pub with big rooms and high ceilings with very friendly staff. The Robinsons beer is always kept well and the pub is well known for live music and biker gatherings. It also has a remarkable history as the venue for radical meetings of striking mill workers and fighters for democracy who were addressed from above the entrance.

Nick was ill so both Sunil and Becky were playing but the Lemmings would still have struggled had Nick been there and the end of the Specialist saw the Lemmings trailing with 39 to the home team’s 66.

The General Knowledge were more favourable to the visitors who finished with 66 to the Nag’s 79, final score 145 to 105 to the Nags. All questions now available here.

Individual scores were Bob 6/12, Sunil 3/0, Becky 0/9 and Tomo 12/18; conferred 19 with 8 pass-overs while the Nags picked up 8 pass-overs.

The evening was rounded off with a splendid feast of sausages and chips – many thanks to the landlady, to the QM and to the worthy winners.

Which League we will be in next season depends on the results from other games.

But it has been another great season, we’ve met good friends, played enjoyable games all, enjoyed good suppers and visited different pubs – we love the Macclesfield Quiz League

19th March Away to the Plough Horntails

This the penultimate game of the season saw a meeting of the three teams fighting relegation: the Park Taverners (quizmaster), the Plough Horntails (home team) and the Lemmings.The last published News and Views has already foreseen the fate of the Lemmings …

The Horntails are old friends and always a joy to meet but the Lemmings could expect no favours in this crucial game.

The questions (available on the above website) had all been set b y the Royal Oak. The Specialist were wide-ranging and interesting although there were no high scores (Tomo’s was the best) and the Lemmings had a nose in front at the end with 49 to the home team’s 44. The General Knowledge played to the Lemmings’ interests as they finished with 76 to the Horntails 68, taking the game with 125 to 112.

Individual scores were Bob 6/18, Sunil 9/0 Nick 6/12 Tomo 12/21 conferred points were13/15, pass-overs 3/10 while the Horntails collected 4/7 pass-overs.

Final positions still depend on next week’s games.

Shauna the question master controlled the game with charm and humour and as always it was a very friendly game with lots of laughter and banter. The eveniing ended with a very tasty selection of cheese or ham sandwiches – many thanks to the landlord, to Shauna and the the Horntails.

12th March Home to Sutton Mutton

Just three games to the end of the season and all teams are looking over their shoulder – are they safe? Will they go up? Are they relegated? This game was between the two teams at the bottom of the B League and the Lemmings were struggling to drag themselves up the table to avoid relegation.

But Fate struck before even the game started – both teams were seated and ready to go when the visitors asked who was asking the questions – the Lemmings were due to provide the Question master!! PANIC!!! Nick rang Sunil to see if he could make it and then a discussion with Bob and Tomo about who would be question master – this problem was resolved when Becky gamely volunteered to be QM even though she has never done it before. The visitors graciously  gave the Lemmings extra time to allow Sunil to get to the Tavern and the game eventually started.

The Specialist questions had been set by the Harrington Academicals and were much appreciated including a round on the final words of films and two-wheeled transport. At the end of the Specialist the Lemmings were ahead by a nose with 59 to 54. The General Knowledge helped the Lemmings strengthen their lead with a final score of 136 to 107.

Whilst in no way a criticism of the questions it was unfortunate that some of Sunil’s questions were actually vision-based (colour of bathing suits in Baywatch for instance) – not sure what we do about that.

Individual scores were Bob 9/15, Sunil 12/3, Nick 12/12 and Tomo12/12; conferred points were 7/25 with pass overs 7/15. The visitors picked up 6/7 pass overs.

Becky deserves a special mention for her questioning – she did very well indeed especially as this was her first attempt – thank you Becky, and to Brian for a fine selection of sandwiches and to the Sutton Mutton for a most enjoyable game.

5th March Question Masters

Having set the General Knowledge questions, the Lemmings were this week question masters in the C League.
Nick and Sunil were at the Plough for the Horntails game against the Park Taverners to oversee a very friendly game with lots of laughter rounded off with very tasty sandwiches.
Sunil got a special thank you as it was his birthday and his brailler had fascinated everyone.
Bob covered the game in Rushton Spencer (the home team won)  whilst Tomo officiated at the British Flag.who lost to the Nags Head.
Also see the following request for potential Masterminds:
From: Emily Starns (Belfast) <EmilyS.HTH@Hattrick.com>
Sent: 07 March 2019 11:11
To: markw@maccql.com
Subject: Mastermind 2019
Hello Mark,
Hope you're well
My name is Emily, I'm a Casting Researcher working on the new series of Mastermind. We're currently scouring the UK to find the next bunch of contestants to sit in our iconic black chair. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning one of our coveted glass bowls please email mastermind.hth@hattrick.com ASAP to request an application.
I was also wondering if you would be happy to help us out by posting our flyer on your website/social? It would be hugely appreciated!
Any questions feel free to drop me an email.
Thanks so much,
Emily


Someone must be interested

26th February Away to the Park Taverners

Always a pleasure to meet again with the Park Taverners, adversaries and friends over many years enhanced by this being the hottest winter day since records began.

The Park Tavern is a very lively pub with two quiz teams, a weekly film and a wide selection of ales from the Vale brewery in Bollington – and an excellent scibar every month with outstanding speakers in various scientific subjects.

The questions had all been set by the Dolphin and both teams found the Specialist in particular to be very difficult, reflected in the comparatively low scores for the Visitors, although the Lemmings conferred well. The Taverners did better than the Lemmings though with 46 points to the Lemmings’ 43 – which goes to show that although hard they were well balanced.

The General Knowledge rounds were more popular and once again the Taverners came home a nose ahead of the Lemmings with 80 to 75 taking the game with 126 to 118 – 8 points clear.

Individual scores were Bob 6/27 Becky 0/6, Nick 6/12 Tomo 12/6; conferred points 13/18, pass-overs 6/6 whilst the Taverners picked up 6/8 pass-overs.

The game was played in excellent spirits with jokes and banter and rounded off with a generous supper of very tasty nachos – many thanks to the landlady, to the home team and to the question master from the British Flag.

19th February Plate Semi Final

This week the Lemmings were host to the Harrington B team – bridges had already been built as with them we are providing the questions on 5th March and vetting is well advanced.

As usual the Lemmings tried to manoeuvre the visitors towards the open fire which provides a very efficient distraction as the smell of burning flesh fills the pub. Sadly they spotted this and moved further away, There were compensations however as they had brought along Lola a delightful (and very well behaved) chocolate labrador that in turn provided a distraction for the Lemmings!! Nick wrongly said Eric Clapton had sung about her but was gently corrected – it was The Kinks!. Not a good start!!

The questions (Rushton Diamonds and Park Taverners) were very good and only a tiny handful was not got by both teams and the rounds were fairly evenly matched.

After the first round of 20 questions the Lemmings had stolen a slender lead with 20 to 15 but the next round was level with both teams scoring 20. The round leading up to the half-way mark saw the Lemming graze through with 14 to 13 – a narrow lead of 6.

The second half was a little more favourable to the Lemmings who got 22 in the first round to the visitors’ 16; next twenty was 18 to the visitors; and the final round saw the Lemmings seal victory with 20 to 13 and a final score of 114 to 93.

Tim from the Park Timers controlled the game with good humour and the evening was rounded off with an excellent cheeseboard with grapes, chutney and fresh baguettes. Many thanks Brian, to the visitors and to Tim for a very pleasant evening.

5th February Home to the Harrington Academicals

A game we’d been dreading – when we played the Academicals in the first leg the Lemmings were given a sound thrashing by over 50 points and at the last reckoning the Academicals were sitting proudly at the top of the B League having lost just one game, But bloodied but unbowed the Lemmings welcomed the visitors to a glowing fire, an excellent selection of fine ales and smiling faces behind the bar.

The Specialist we thought to be very good, with a round in which all the answers were fish-related and a good varied selection for the others. Fortunately they fell very much in line with the Lemmings’ interests and they had built a surprising lead of 58 to the visitors’ 33 at the break.

The General Knowledge were not so well received especially having avoided football in the Sports round the GK was rather top heavy with soccer questions of one form or another.However both teams played on gamely in excellent spirits – there were two occasions when possible contentious points were awarded to the opposing team with good grace.

Again the Lemmings did well taking the GK with 73 to the visitors’ 63 and taking the game with 137 to 96.

Individual scores were Bob 3/15, Becky 3/6, Nick 18/9 and Tomo 9/12; conferred points were 15/20 with 10/11 pass-overs. The visitors collected 1/5 pass-overs.

It was a very pleasant evening rounded off with a vary varied cheeseboard from Brian with fresh baguette and biscuits with chutney – many thanks for Brian, to the Academics and to Anne the patient and genial question master

29 January Away to Rushton Diamonds

Or at least we should have been but the snow isolated Bob in Rainow and we had no means of making the journey.
But anyone who did play please feel free to make comments here.

22 January – Plate Quarter Final

Yes it’s winter and with the first flakes of snow comes disaster!

First Bob who lives in the hills, rang – roads are closed and he doesn’t think he can make it.

Then Sunil, in Coventry for a meeting, rang to say his taxi failed to arrive, and he has missed his train but the next one is due to arrive at 8 o’clock. He rang later to say the second train was running 20 minutes late.

Looks like we’d be a team of two but after a flurry of phone calls managed to get Becky to play.

Fortunately we were playing very good friends the Park Tavern who were happy to agree to a delayed start and the game started with Sunil’s arrival.

As always all questions were conferred (if individual scores had been taken Tomo would have shined) and the two teams fought a very close battle.

After the first 20 questions the Lemmings had slipped behind with 14 to the visitors’ 15 but both teams scored 18 in the next round. The Lemmings then fell further behind with 17 to the Park’s 19 – now a deficit of 3!

But then the Lemmings’ luck changed as they took the next round15 to 12 making the scores level before moving on to a strong finish in the next two rounds with 18 to 12 and 16 to 12 – a final score of 98 to 88.

As always with the visitors it was a very pleasant game and the question master Keith was a fair and flexible official.

The evening drew to a close with a fine selection of sandwiches – thank you Brian, the Park Taverners and to Keith.

Here’s hoping the weather improves.;

15th January – Away to the British Flag

It seemed ages since the Lemmings last visited  the Flag as the hosts had enjoyed something of a sabbatical in the A League before returning to the B League and giving the Lemmings a drubbing of nearly 30 points in the first game of the season.

The pub is a cosy local that despite being a free house is still selling Robinsons Unicorn and others from the former owner and a guest that for our visit was Marston’s Pedigree all well kept.

The evening started with black clouds on the horizon as Becky was not at the Waters Green Tavern the  customary gathering point (she had made her own way to the Flag setting the alarm bells ringing) and the question master was stuck in traffic following a serious accident between Hazel Grove and Macclesfield. Sighs of relief when both Becky and the question master arrived but the Lemmings were obviously a bit jumpy.

The Specialist rounds set by the Nags Head were interesting and clearly a lot of thought had gone into them – one round on trains in film and another on various aspects of magic were different and enjoyable. It was a keenly matched game and at the end of the Specialist the Lemmings were trailing by just 8 points with 47 to the Flag’s 55. We’ve made up bigger deficits in the past.

The General Knowledge questions had been set by the Robin Hood and were rather patchy with too much effort on pairing the questions. They did however manage to score this season’s first nomination for the coveted Nine Banded Armadillo trophy for which the answer was kenning described in Wikipedia as “a type of circumlocution, in the form of a compound that employs figurative language in place of a more concrete single-word noun. Kennings are strongly associated with Old Norse and later Icelandic and Old English poetry.” No-one in the room had ever heard of this!

Again these rounds were closely fought but the Lemmings could not break the Flag’s lead and the teams ended with equal points, 77 each with the Flag victorious with 132 to the Lemmings 124.

Individual scores were Bob 6/15, Becky 3/12, Nick 6/15 and Tomo 15/12; conferred points were 12/10 with 5/12 pass-overs – the Flag picked up 5/18pass-overs.

It was a pleasant game rounded off with a selection of sandwiches – many thanks to the landlord, to the question master and the home team.

8th January Home to the Nags Head

This was the half-way point in the League and now all the games played so far will have the venue changed (home/away). It was almost a local derby as the Nags is only around the corner from the Tavern, and the quiz team are old friends and adversaries.

The Specialist questions had been set by the Park Taverners and were very well received – they covered a wide range of subjects with a round on islands and clearly a lot of thought had gone into the setting. The scores at the ne of the Specialist were equal with 72 each.

The General Knowledge rounds set by the Rushton Diamonds were less kind to the Lemmings who saw the Nag’s Head slipping ahead, until they had built a substantial lead of 98 to 70 finishing the game with 169 to142 (Nick’s scoring may have lost a point there).

Individual scores were Bob 15/15, Sunil 18/9, Nick 12/12 and Tomo 18/12 – Conferred points were 6/13 with 3/9 pass-overs whilst the visitors gathered 3/12 pass-overs.

It is interesting to look at the conferred points as usually the Lemmings get a very high score here but only two questions were conferred in the Specialist which reflects the excellent balance and difficulty of the rounds.

Special thanks are due to Brian the question master who kept the game flowing with a light and humorous touch, to the visitors for a pleasant and jocular game and finally to Brian for an excellent selection of sandwiches.