The Cup Final (the important one)

 

After a glorious day (almost 20 degrees!!) as the blue skies slipped

towards a calm warm twilight The Weaver became the arena for a local battle of the titans: the Waters Green Rams were defending their title as cup holders in the League’s knockout competition against The Weaver who have held the cup on several previous occasions.

It was a very thrilling contest showing a remarkable breadth of knowledge by both teams – the questions can be seen here. The Rams stole a slender lead in the first set of 20 questions and clung to it for the rest of the contest.  Full results will be shown in News and Views shortly along with all other details.

It was also to be the first presentation of the highly coveted  Nine-Banded Armadillo trophy to the team that offered the worst question in the season.

Perhaps some explanation is due for the appearance of the trophy; Nick had mentioned to an artist friend that he was looking for a cup, scroll, plaque or whatever to use as the trophy and thought no more about it. The next time they met his friend gave him the framed picture of an armadillo (not sure how many bands are shown!) wrongly labelled as the nine striped armadillo and because of the way the backing has been applied it can only be hung upside down!! All of which seems appropriate!!!!

The winner was chosen from four that the Lemmings had picked out with all present having a vote – Bob arranged the vote and introduced the winners with typical humour pointedly remarking that the result was not spiteful because the winning team had beaten us into second place in the League.

Yes it was the Robin Hood that had enlightened us all with the fact that cucumber time is the quiet period for tailors!!

One dissenting voice was that insufficient attention had been paid to the time and effort put in by another team to win the award (it was a joke!)

The Lemmings’ sister team were worthy winners on a very pleasant evening in the newly refurbished Weaver that now has an outside seating area and as before the staff were very pleasant and accommodating. The next event will be the AGM and Plate final when the Lemmings will meet old friends the Park Taverners.

17th March–The Final Countdown

 

The last week of the season was a little disappointing for the Lemmings as they had been due to play The Wharf who were still unable to get a team together.

However, being creatures of habit the Lemmings gathered in the Waters Green Tavern as they have done every Tuesday throughout the season and over a glass or two of the wonderful real ales and cider looked back on a season that all agreed was most enjoyable – perhaps the best.

Whilst guaranteed of promotion, it had not been an easy ride and in the four games that were lost none had been a close thing; the first defeat was to the Park Taverners who won by 25 points; but this was small beer compared to the Robin Hood game who left the Lemmings trailing with a difference of 80! Next came the Nags Head with a creditable difference of 35 followed closely by the Plough Horntails with 29. All games played with good humour and victory well deserved. The Lemmings’ victories on the other hand were usually by a few points.

A new feature had been introduced this year with the Nine-Banded Armadillo trophy for the worst question of the year – at the Cup Final on 21st April the Lemmings will introduce what they consider the worst three questions and the winner will be decided by general vote.

Finally the Lemmings will be celebrating their promotion on 11th July with a party at Nick’s – there will be wine and real ale, authentic Indian food, musicians, singing and laughter – this will provide an opportunity to say farewell and good luck to old friends, and to socialise with the A League teams. Any teams/individuals interested please contact Nick and full details will be sent out later.

Thanks all for a great season

10th March–Away to the Plough Horntails

 

Sadly the Wharf have advised that they will not be able to get a team to play in the last two games of the season – we very much hope that their problems are resolved by the start of the next season.

The Wharf were due to play the Robin Hood this week and the Lemmings next week – coincidentally both teams striving for top place although both guaranteed of promotion. This then was to be the Lemmings’ last game of the season, and whilst Rosie could not make it, Ruby came along to give support.

The Plough closed down last year and both quiz teams moved to the Bate Hall; it has since reopened under new management and the Horntails returned to their old haunt. The spectral green light in which the exterior was bathed has been replaced with bright white light whilst behind the bar was a young couple who were very pleasant and we wish them every success.

The questions had been set by the Dolphin Dragons and the Specialist rounds came as something of a shock to the Lemmings who ended them with just 46 points, only Tomo managing to get into double figures. The Horntails scored a magnificent 71 leaving the Lemmings 25 points adrift.

The Lemmings did rather better in the General Knowledge with a respectable 73 but still another four points behind the Horntails who racked up 77.

Final score 148 to 119 to the Horntails.

Individual scores were Bob 9/6, Wendy 9/21, Nick 3/12 and Tomo 15/12 with 7/11 conferred points and 3/11 pass-overs; the Horntails picked up 9/12 pass-overs.

The evening was rounded off with tasty sandwiches – many thanks to the new landlords, to the Horntails and the questionmaster Grenville from the Bate.

3rd March–Question Masters and Setters

 

Before any of the games started the disappointing news came through that The Wharf were unable to put out a team and the Cock-A-2 won the game by default. We all hope that the Wharf’s current problems will soon be overcome and we will see them back in action before the end of the season.

Nick was asking the questions at the Nags Head who were playing the Plough Horntails, two wise and experienced teams and it was a very pleasant and relaxed evening

The scores in the Specialist were generally very low, and Nick began to explain that although the Lemmings had vetted the questions (he was interrupted at this stage by the Plough asking who did the vetting? The dog??) the Brewers had not taken much notice.One question in particular created some discussion – Q8 in the Squares round – the given answer was Canada (which is true) but so is South Africa, also in the Commonwealth.

At the end of the Specialist, the Plough Horntails had 32 points and the Nags Head 52 – a lead they steadily built on to win by 147 to 112.

An excellent supper was provided by the Nags of chips, chicken nuggets and onion rings – many thanks to the landlord and to the two competing teams who made Nick’s job so much easier.

24th February - Home to the Bate Taverners

 

The Lemmings were facing the Bate in the second leg of the League games – at the last battle the Lemmings scraped through by a very narrow margin so they knew it would not be an easy game. The Bate are old friends through their various manifestations from the Cricket Club and however close it was going to be a fun-filled night.

Wendy had recovered sufficiently to take part but Rosie had decided to stay in and watch the Manchester City and Barcelona game on TV.

The questions had been set by the Knot Know-alls and included some interesting ideas including fashion, the eye and even cake. A couple of questions however led to some discussion: both Bob and Nick felt the answer to GK47 was Gluck but the given answer is correct – Monteverdi’s opera L’Orfeo was written 155 years before Gluck’s. More contentious was Q3 in A Piece of Cake – not only was the bible quote rather obscure (certainly not as well known as Pete Seeger’s  version!) but to expect someone to know that it comes from Ecclesiastes and thereby get the answer Eccles led to immediate nomination for the Nine-Banded Armadillo trophy.

At the end of the Specialist rounds the Bate had slipped ahead by one point with 52 to 51 – not going well!! But the Lemmings recovered their composure in the General Knowledge and slowly built up a lead finishing with 75 points to the Bate’s 60 – final score 126 to 112 in the Lemmings’ favour.

Special mention must be made of the questionmaster from the Cock-A-2 – not only did he have to contend with the usual noise generated by the ladies’ darts competition but the Tavern was invaded by a party from a neighbouring pub making it very difficult to hear the questions – not the QM’s fault at all and he handled the problem with good grace and skill.

Individual scores were Bob 9/15, Wendy 15/21, Nick 6/9 and Tomo 12/15; conferred points were 5/7 with 4/8 pass-overs – the Bate picked up 7/9 pass-overs.

Manchester City lost 2-1 – Rosie’s reaction is not known at the moment.

Brian then supplied an excellent cheeseboard with delicious French baguettes and chutneys to round off the evening – many thanks Brian, the Bate and the unflappable questionmaster.

17th Feb Plate Semi-Final

 

This was the Lemmings’ third game against the Nag’s Head, the previous League games having been close run things and this was to be no exception. The questions had been set by the Church House Bollington and Ox-Fford C that were very fairly balanced but perhaps had more TV and children’s literature questions than the Lemming prefer – but Tomo did very well on these nevertheless.

A further problem was that Wendy could not play having injured herself decorating the house (we had warned that  suspending all her Quiz League trophies from the ceiling could lead to catastrophe) but Tony stepped into the breach and played his first game for the Lemmings bringing his science background for added strength.

Each set of 20 questions was very hotly contested, the first two narrowly going to the Nags with 17/15 and 14/13; the third set however went the Lemmings’ way with 17 to 14 giving level scores of 45 at the half-way stage. The next two seemed to be benefitting the Lemmings who crept ahead with 16/10 and 15/11; but the final round changed all that with the Nags thrashing the Lemmings 20 to 11 – a very narrow escape as this left the Lemmings with just a one point victory of 87 to 86.

As usual, the game was spent in good spirits despite the tension of the narrow differences in the scores and was rounded off with Brian’s home-cooked sandwiches – many thanks to the question master from the Church House, to the Nags team and of course to Brian.

10th February–Home to the Park Taverners

 

“Revenge is a dish best served cold”

Yes, on this bitterly cold evening in the heavy frozen fog that has clung to the town for some days two mighty teams came face to face to settle a long-outstanding debt. On 30th September Altrincham Town FC beat Macclesfield Town FC 1-0 and the Silkmen were out for revenge.

On the same evening, in the warm and welcoming Waters Green Tavern old friends met for a friendly, fun-filled evening of questions and answers in the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League – the Park Taverners were facing the WG Lemmings for the second leg of the season’s competition. In November the Park Taverners had thrashed the Lemmings who were hoping that this would not be repeated.

The questions covered a wide range of subjects from nicknames to aeronautics and were very well received. Some puzzled looks met with the answer to the General Knowledge 16 to which charity must be at least as accurate as philanthropy – probably better. One question in particular gave rise to some discussion (History Q8) but neither team noticed that the year given was 1715, the First Jacobite Rebellion that got no further than Preston and certainly not Derby. The General Knowledge Q75 also had the Lemmings floundering but all became clear with an enchanting dance-like movement from Shauna, so beguiling that she was asked to repeat it.

Mention must also be made of Juliet the question master from the Nags Head whose strict control over time set a standard for all question masters – and a warning to notorious time-wasters.

At the end of the Specialist, the Lemmings had stolen a lead of 65 to 33 but it must be said that the visitors were without Graham who is their highest scorer.

The Lemmings’ good fortune continued into the General Knowledge that they won with 103 to 83 giving a final score of 168 to 116.

Individual scores were Bob 15/18, Wendy 15/24, Nick 6/15 and Tomo 12/24; conferred points were 8/12 with 9/10 pass-overs whilst the visitors collected 4/7 pass-overs.

Oh and Macc won the football 2-1!

The evening was rounded off with a magnificent pork pie and sandwiches – many thanks to Brian, to Juliet and to our old friends the Park Taverners for a fun and well-fought game.

3rd February–Bloody But Unbowed

 

“Bewitched, battered and bewildered …” still reeling from what must be one of the heaviest defeats in the history of the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League the Lemmings gathered in the Waters Green Tavern to lick their wounds and face an uncertain future.

We were up against the Cock-A-2 who are also in the tight bunch at the top of the B League and always a difficult team to beat.

The questions had been set by The Dolphin, and fortunately they played to the strengths of the Lemmings as a team (hence the large number of conferred points);  the Specialist included a round on hats (surely a first!!) a very original round on eponymous characters and a picture round of film classics. The General Knowledge questions ranged from Greek and Roman mythology to poetry and art via science and the Old testament. Very challenging and most enjoyable.

At the end of the Specialist the Lemmings had begun to regain their confidence with a slight lead of 64 to 55, and then built on this  taking the General Knowledge with 84 to 59. Final score 148 to 114.

Individual scores were Bob 12/24, Wendy 15/9, Nick 9/15, Tomo 15/6 conferred points were 7/20 with pass-overs 6/10. The visitors picked up 7/6.

A very pleasant game with laughter and good humour under the benevolent eye of the question master Pat from the Plough Horntails rounded off with a selection of Brian’s home-cooked beef and pork sandwiches along with cheese sandwiches and salad.

Many thanks to the Cock-A-2, to Brian and to the questionmaster Pat

27th January–Away To The Robin Hood

 

“History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce” – thus has Karl Marx been misquoted … and yet!!!
We had played the Robin Hood at home last October and suffered a bruising defeat by 30 points. 30 points!!! We couldn’t let that happen again.

Nick was again determined to improve his recent shabby form and Tomo and Bob were second and third in the individual merits respectively whilst Wendy has maintained consistency throughout the season – bring it on!!!

The Robin is a welcoming pub nestling in the hills above Macclesfield that was serving Wainwright’s ale in good form – the team are good-natured and fun-loving and the Lemmings were looking forward to a keen closely-fought game.

The questions had been set by the Wharf and the Harrington B and John from the Wharf officiated as question master. Let the games begin!!

At the end of the Specialist questions a familiar score appeared – the Robin Hood had 63 whilst the Lemmings had mustered just 33 – another deficit of 30 and we were only half-way through!!! Nick and Wendy remained consistent with scores of 0 and 12 respectively.

But we’ve pulled back before and undaunted the Lemmings launched into the General Knowledge questions – only to find that nothing much changed – in fact it got worse as the home team notched up 101 to the Lemmings 51 – increasing the lead by 50 and an unprecedented victory by 80 points!! 164 to 84!!!

Individual scores were Bob 6/12, Wendy 12/6, Nick 0/9 and Tomo 3/12; conferred points were 10/10 with just 2/2 pass-overs. The home team gathered an impressive 6/16 pass-overs.

No armadillo questions noted (although other teams may do so) and there are no complaints about the questions – in fact we thought they were pretty good – it was the Lemmings answers that were rubbish.

The evening was rounded off with an excellent selection of sandwiches with chips – many thanks to the Robin Hood, the team and to John for his good natured question-mastering.

The Lemmings then set off into the cold dark night deep in thought as they threaded their way back to town.

Plate Quarter Final 20th Back At The British Flag

 

Once again, the Lemmings were back at the British Flag, this time in the quarter finals of the Plate knockout competition.

Last week’s competition was a very close finish with the Flag staging a very good comeback in the General Knowledge questions – and there are no Specialist rounds in the knockout competitions.

The scene was set on arrival to a chorus of We’ll Meet Again and cries of Deja vu and a very pleasant evening followed, in the same spirit as the previous week.

The light and hoppy beer of the previous week (actually called Hobgoblin but brewed by Robbies, not the Wychwood variety) had been replaced by a ruby red Voodoo Dawn again showing how Robbies are breaking out of the mould.

The questions had been set by the Bate Taverners and the Park Taverners and were very evenly balanced. There were quite a few classical music questions that work to the Lemmings’ strengths but former Prime Ministers’ residences gave rise to much head-scratching.

The Lemmings took two of the first three rounds with narrow margins leading by 56 to 51 at the half-way stage. The next three resulted in one draw and one narrow win for the Lemmings but also a very fortunate round that the Lemmings won by 10 points giving a final score of 116 to 97.

Once again, the game was held in good spirits with jokes and laughter, no nominations for the 9-banded armadillo trophy and another supper of excellent sandwiches. Many thanks to the landlord, the team and to Grenville the question master.

January 13th–Away to the British Flag

 

This was to be a tough one – the two teams sharing the top spot separated only by over 80 scored points to the Flag’s advantage. At the first meeting the Lemmings had scraped through by five points. Moreover, Nick was out to prove a point by improving on his recent appalling form – he set himself a modest target of reaching double figures – the team held their breath in trepidation. Moreover his son was there to monitor developments – a lot to lose!!

The pub is owned by Robinsons and has held a good reputation for the condition of its beers for many years and this was no exception – in fact there was an excellent hoppy light beer on that we’d not seen before (but have forgotten what it was called!!!). The team are old adversaries and good friends and the evening was spent in good spirits. One question in particular (56 in the General Knowledge) gave Bob the opportunity to tell one of his favourite jokes – that if the cat had been going the other way Percy Shaw would have invented the pencil sharpener.

The questions had been set by the Knot ‘Arf , old friends again, and covered a wide variety of subjects including the latest additions to the Oxford English Dictionary (neologisms)– but in fact the scoring on both sides was very low, and several rounds passed with no or just one 3 being scored. At the end of the specialist rounds, the Lemmings had slipped ahead with 53 to 38 – a lead of 15!! In the General Knowledge, the Flag fared rather better and steadily ate into the Lemmings’ lead  taking those rounds with 78 to 66.

Nick’s ambitions were demolished throughout the evening – usually very cautious and quick to confer, he was determined to score on the night – and threw away valuable points on several occasions leaving his team open-mouthed at his wrong answers – he equalled his personal worst!!

Final score was 119 to 116 in favour of the Lemmings – a very narrow victory that could so easily have gone the other way

Individual points were Bob 9/15, Wendy 9/6, Nick 0/6 and Tomo 18/12; conferred points were 7/16 with 10/11 pass-overs. The Flag collected 7/16 pass-overs.

Finishing with a fine selection of sandwiches many thanks to the landlord and to the team for a very pleasant evening.

6th January - Away to the Nag's Head

 

The second half of the season starts after the Christmas break and the first game is against the Nag’s Head who gave us a very close game in the first leg.

It is a welcoming pub built for the market trade as it stands opposite the former cattle market and with its many rooms and three floors would have provided accommodation for herders and farmers that had brought their sheep and cows for sale. There is an excellent history of the pub in Paul Wreglesworth’s Volume 2 of The Pubs And Breweries of Macclesfield – Nick’s favourite is the crowds of unemployed silk workers who gathered outside to hear the fiery speeches of their leaders. Now owned by Robinsons’ brewery it is showing the improvements made by the new brewer, with two guest beers (admittedly brewed by Robbies) in addition to the normal Unicorn and the very reliable Dizzy Blonde. (Isn’t it odd that I can buy Robbies’ beer in London freehouses, but can only get Robbies in a Robbies pub).

 

The questions can be found here .

An embarrassing start to the quiz was Nick mishearing round 2 as Missing Bowels – an alarming image sprung to mind not helped by mishearing the explanation “Just Consonants” as Continents!!

The Specialist rounds saw the lead swing from one team to the next until the Lemmings scraped through with 65 points to 59. The General Knowledge questions were perhaps over-loaded with sport but unusually worked to the Lemmings’ advantage as they finished with 81 to the Nags’ 61, a final score of 146 to 120.

Individual scores were Bob 9/15, Wendy 12/18, Nick 3/6 and Tomo 21/12; conferred points were 10/20, pass-overs 10/10 whilst the home team collected 4/7 pass-overs.

The evening was rounded off with an excellent supper of chicken nuggets, chips and bread and butter – many thanks to the landlords, the home team and to Heather the question master who controlled the game with patience and a light touch

16th December–Away to the Wharf

 

The Wharf is one of the excellent real ale pubs that have opened in town in the past couple of years – not only does the pub have a fine selection of beers from micro-breweries but it also has a fine reputation as a music venue. It was great to see Thornbridge Wild Swan beer available – at 3.5% it has an amazing explosive taste, dry and hoppy - an excellent session beer.

The quiz team we have known for some years and enjoyed many laughs with them and this was no exception. But we were without our mascot and our sole supporter was listening to his headphones. Understandably as this was not one of the Lemmings’ finest performances. The questions were fine with nothing qualifying for the Nine-Banded Armadillo award but as usual all questions are easy – if you know the answers. The Lemmings struggled through the specialist rounds at the end trailing by 3 points at 45 to 48. In the General Knowledge they did rather better but it should be mentioned that a record score was broken – Nick’s PW!! His worst score ever finishing with just six points over both sets of questions. His worst score not just for this season but for years!! Can’t blame it on the White Swan at 3.5%!!!.General Knowledge scores were 73 to 58 giving a final score of 118 to 106

Individual scores were Bob 9/15, Wendy 6/15, Nick 3/3, Tomo 12/18 and conferred points 8/14 with 7/8 pass-overs. The home team collected 5/6 pass-overs.

December 9th Home to Plough Horntails

 

Once again it was a merry meeting with familiar faces as we welcomed the Plough Horntails who have now returned to the newly reopened Plough Tavern after its recent troubles. We look forward to our away game in the hope that the high standards of hospitality and supper are maintained.

Questions had been set by the Bate Taverners and the Lamb Shanks and a lot of thought had gone into both sets – the fact that some rounds went by with no-one gaining three points must not detract from a good effort. For instance one round asked for the fictional character after giving the residence. One question that created much discussion was 21 in the General Knowledge even though the answer was in the question!!

At the end of the specialist rounds, the Lemmings had managed a slender lead of 62 to 51 but they saw that gradually eaten away by the Horntails but with a late recovery managed to get a draw in the General Knowledge with 73 each; final score 135 to 124.

Individual scores were Bob 9/18, Wendy 9/21. Nick 12/6, Tomo 15/15; conferred points were 10/15 with 7/8 pass-overs. The Horntails picked up 4/12 pass-overs.

The evening was rounded off with a selection of Brian’s home-cooked beef or cheese sandwiches.

Thanks are due to the question setters, the question master from the Bate, the question setters, The Plough Taverners and of course Brian.

2nd December–Questionmasters

 

This week the Lemmings were questionmasters for the B League; unfortunately Nick was away and many thanks are due to the British Flag who provided their own questionmaster.

The questions had been set by the Harrington Academicals and whilst one or two were queried (in particular Kim Clijsters) they were all settled without the thunderous roar of dummies hitting the floor.

Nick said later that he wished he had ben playing as he thought the questions suited him.

Just two more games to Christmas and the half-way stage

25th November–The Plate Round 1

 

 

Hello All,

Duncan Disorderley here standing in for Nick for this one as he is in London on secret business. Our fifth man, Tony, stood in admirable. Having lost in the first round of the Cup to the Dolphin the Lemmings settled in for a hopefully long haul starting with the Lamb Shanks as our opponents. The soundtrack to the evening was the efforts of Manchester City to overcome 10-man Bayern Munich and the talk amongst the spectators was which would be the better match – City v. Munich or Lemmings v. Lamb Shanks. Add the fact that Macc were playing Torquay and the heady mix was complete.

Speaking from the experience of many years of Cup and Plate matches, I have to say that this was a tough one. The first round was won 11-7 by the Lemmings. The second round was drawn 10-10 after which the Lemmings managed to maintain leads in each round up until Round Five which the Shanks won 14-10. A preponderance of literature questions was evident throughout the quiz and this worked to the advantage of the Lemmings and stopped the Shanks from creeping up on us too much!

The final result was 74 to the Lemmings and 56 to the Shanks. Thanks to the Lamb team and question master Juliet for a friendly and enjoyable quiz and to Brian for a smashing cheeseboard. So – Manchester City, Macclesfield Town and the Waters Green Lemmings were the winners on the night.

The only small blot on the horizon was a stonking entry for the Nine-banded Armadillo Trophy. Here it is folks:

What did Roy Jenkins replace with a ‘fridge?

Easy, you might think, but neither team got it right. It was a chalkboard on which were scrawled the names of prisoners awaiting execution.

Yes... so did we!

All for now.

18th November–Away To The Bate Taverners

 

This was the first time the Lemmings had visited the Bate Hall since the management changed recently  and it is good to see the the high standards brought in by the previous managers are being upheld. The pub is a very old former coaching inn dating back to at least 1525 and still retains a priest hole reflecting former intolerant times. The Marston’s beer is on top form and the pub has a welcoming atmosphere.

The questions had been set by the Cock-A-2 and the Chester Road Tavern covering a wide range of subjects and it was a very close game with the Lemmings at the end of the Specialist rounds just a nose in front with 53 to the Bate’s 52. There had been some confusion when Nick heard education to be vegetation (Round 3 Q6) and not one of America’s greatest legal decisions.

In the General Knowledge the Lemmings were less successful falling quite a way behind at one stage but eventually managing to claw back the lead with 86 to 82, final score being 139 to the Bate’s 134.

It was an excellent light-hearted game rounded off with a fine selection of sandwiches.

Individual scores Bob 9/24 Wendy 6/24 Nick 9/15 and Tomo 15/12 conferred points 11/12 with 3/8 pass-overs; the Bate picked up 3/9 pass-overs.

Thanks are due to the Bate Taverners, and to the landlords for providing a large room and excellent supper.

11 November–Away to The Park Taverners

 

it was good to meet up again with old friends from the Park Tavern, a brewery-owned pub with a wide range of Bollington Brewery beers. It also has a lively social life with a film night, monthly scibar meetings and its own weekly quiz night.

The Lemmings were perhaps a little over-confident as they gathered in the room that had been set aside for the game. They were top of the League, Bob was first in the individual merits with Tomo not far behind and best of all we had our mascot Rosie. The questions had been set by the Ox-Fford C and covered a wide range of subjects from baking to film – the Lemmings thought they were very good except for one thing – they didn’t know the answers!! Scoring was very low and in the Specialist rounds not one Lemming member managed to get double figures, losing by 64 to 45 – a deficit of 19. In fact in one round (Sport) not a single point was scored and the home team cleaned up!!Even so, the Lemmings had made up similar deficits in the past. But it was not to be – they made up a little ground but the score for the General Knowledge was 82 to the Park’s 76 with a final score of 146 to 121 – a sound thrashing!!

No complaints – the questions were good, no points were thrown away, conferring was good – but the Lemmings were just not good enough – well done the Park Taverners. There was lots of laughter throughout the evening and a generous selection of excellent sandwiches to finish a very pleasant match.

Individual scores were Bob 9/12, Wendy 6/18, Nick 9/9 and Tomo 6/24; conferred points were 11/10 with 4/3 pass-overs. The home team collected 7/14 pass-overs (a story in itself!!).

Well done the Park Taverners and a big thank you to the Park Tavern.

4th November–Away To The Cock-A-2

 

It’s been some time since we faced the Cock-A-2 who moved to the Cock from their old haunt The Castle – always been a tough team to beat and after two consecutive losses the Lemmings were not brimming with confidence. It was interesting to note that the quiz league has now become an international event with American spectators and another supporter listening to Liverpool against Real Madrid.

We found both sets of questions very good although some had everyone scratching their head, in particular the largest lake in Europe  - they were however well balanced and very few did not get a correct answer. It was interesting to learn the name of the inventor of plastIcine!!

Breaking with tradition the Lemmings were ahead at the end of the Specialist rounds with 57 to 46 taking the General Knowledge with 81 to 70. Both Bob and Tomo scoring in the 30’s.

It was a very pleasant atmosphere with lots of laughter, particularly as Bob reminded us of some of his old jokes, and the Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde was on good form.

Individual scores were Bob 15/24, Wendy 9/6, Nick 9/9, Tomo 15/18; conferred 3/16 and pass-overs 6/8. The Cock-A-2 picked up 6/4 pass-overs.

Final score 138 to 116.

The evening ended with a fine selection of sandwiches – many thanks to the Cock and the Cock-A-2 for a most enjoyable evening. Liverpool lost too.

28th October First round of the Cup/Plate

 

Two important knock-out competitions on the night – the first round of the Cup and Plate and Macclesfield’s replay against Wrexham in the fourth qualifying round of the Cup.

The Lemmings were drawn against the Dolphin, always a popular venue with a friendly jocular team, a welcoming atmosphere and probably the best Robinson’s beer in town. However the Lemmings were doubly handicapped – Rosie was absent as was Bob who’s place was taken by new recruit Tony.

The questions were set with a sense of humour, very few were unanswered and we were lucky to have Paul from the Ox-Fford as question-master who kept the laughs rolling along. There will be no nominations for the Armadillo trophy this week! But, as an aside, the original armadillo question was asked on The Chase earlier in the evening (although the answer was multiple choice and nine-banded was not required as a part of the question).

It was not a good start for the Lemmings who lost the first two rounds by 8 points but recovered well in the third round to get equal points; but it was not to last as they lost the next three rounds losing by almost 30 points – 118 to 89.

But it was a very pleasant evening rounded off with a generous supper of chicken nuggets and chips with excellent sandwiches.

Thank you to the Dolphin, the Dolphin team and to Paul for easing the pain of a crushing defeat.

But we were not alone – Macc Town lost 5-2 – not a good evening!!

On to the Plate!!

A Night To Remember 21st October

 

The above was one of the questions, perhaps with some prescience, but in fact we were playing the Robin Hood the newly crowned Plate champions. This was the Lemmings’ third home game with a clean record having won both the previous games. This was one of the worst nights of the year as the remnants of hurricane Gonzalo lashed the country with gale-force winds and torrential rains. Sadly none of that energy had been picked up by either team.

Even the question-master was affected, as he turned up some 20 minutes late. It was obviously his first experience of asking and he was certainly put through a baptism of fire competing with the noise from the ladies’ darts game

The questions had been set by the Lemmings’ sister team the Rams but the scores on both teams were quite low compared to past games and the Specialist rounds finished with the visitors ahead by six points with 43 to the Lemmings’ 37. The General Knowledge rounds however saw an increasing lethargy particularly on the part of the Lemmings – for instance Nick was stirred into activity only at the mention of Madonna’s bra!! The visitors did far better in the General Knowledge with 90 points to the Lemmings’ 66.

However the main topic of conversation was the Nine Banded Armadillo trophy which last season failed to attract a winner but has already collected some nominations, GK20 and GK74 from last week and Nick has already been asked to enter from this week Sport Q3 and two requests for GK Q51 that possibly outdoes the original 9-banded armadillo!! And as for the name of the dog in Coronation St!!! No doubt more nominations will follow.

Individual scores were Bob 9/18, Wendy 6/3, Nick 6/6, Tomo 3/15 conferred points 7/17 and pass-overs 6/7. The Robin Hood picked up 9/11 pass-overs. Final score a victory by 30 points to the Robin Hood with 133 to 103, and no we weren’t robbed.

The evening ended with Brian’s excellent selection of sandwiches – thank you Brian, best wishes to the question master for future QM duties and well done the Robin Hood. In fact it was a night best forgotten.

14th October–Home To The British Flag

 

Not without trepidation did the Lemmings gather for their second home match, this time against old adversaries The British Flag; they too were relegated at the end of last season, but look at the comments in the last entry for the Hospice quiz (admittedly there were a few extras in their team).

But at least we had Rosie the team mascot who was unaffected by the team’s tension and slept through the entire evening (until food appeared that is!!).

We were very pleased with the questions at first but as the game went on, there were some really odd questions beginning to appear and we immediately nominated the Sport question on Lester Piggott (his middle name???) for the Nine-Banded Armadillo trophy – there may be other contenders this season.

At the end of the Specialist rounds the Lemmings were trailing by five points with 55 to the Flag’s 60 – not looking good!

But the Lemmings then made a remarkable come-back and at the half-way stage in the General Knowledge were some 20 points ahead – only to see that lead begin to slowly dribble away. However the Lemmings kept their heads and managed to scrape a win with 78 in the General Knowledge to the Flag’s 68, thus winning the game with 133 to 128.

Individual scores were Bob 12/18, Wendy 9/18, Nick 9/9, Tomo 12/12; conferred points were 9/12 and pass-overs 4/9. The visitors picked up 7/10 pass-overs.

A most enjoyable game rounded off with Brian’s home roast lamb and ham sandwiches with a tasty vegetarian option.

Thank you Brian, the British Flag and the question master from the Robin Hood who conducted his first game calmly and with humour.

East Cheshire Hospice Quiz 10th October

 

Whilst not strictly a part of the Macc Pub Quiz League activities the quiz questions had been set by the League secretary Mark, who with Paul (also from the Ox-Fford) asked all the questions and there were a lot of familiar quiz faces, which was good to see.

The Hospice do a considerable amount of good work and no doubt will at some time be in the lives and memories of everyone who attended – 14 teams of 8!! This was a chance to acknowledge our debt.

It was held at Tytherington school and all tables had a selection of fine sandwiches and Storm beer was available at the bar.

It was an excellent evening with fun and humour the eventual winners being very familiar from visits to the British Flag – who are playing the Lemmings on Tuesday!!! The Lemmings came last!

7TH OCTOBER–HOME TO THE NAGS HEAD

 

The first game of the new season, and the Lemmings gathered at the Waters Green Tavern, shaking off the dust of summer’s joys  in India, the Scottish islands and the Baltic instead shivering in the sudden drop in temperature.

Back in the B League it was good to meet up again with the Nag’s team, old adversaries who have always given us a close game.

Questions had been set by The Ox-Fford and were of a very high standard, but with three picture rounds in the Specialist section could perhaps have been called Mark’s gallery.

The Lemmings got off to a stuttering start (but see individual scores below) in particular Nick still smarting from his earlier Cagney and Makepeace answer (a drama yet to be written)  confused Birds of a Feather with the Liver Birds  and sacrificed a point to the Nags to the obvious shock of his team mates.

At the end of the Specialist the Nags held a comfortable lead of 12 points with 71 to the Lemmings 59.

In the General Knowledge Bob played a good captain’s innings and in particular Tomo scored a difficult to beat 27 making an outstanding total of 45 with the Lemmings steadily closing the gap eventually scoring 101 to the Nag’s 85. Quite a nail-biter played in good spirits.

Individual scores were Bob 18/18, Wendy 3/21, Nick 9/15, Tomo 18/27; conferred points were 9/12 with 2/8 pass-overs and the Nags picked up 4/7 pass-overs. Final score 156 to 161.

The evening was rounded off with Brian’s excellent home-roast beef and ham sandwiches – thank you Brian, the Nags Head and Pete the question master from the Park Taverners.