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.