Burns Night Away to the Plough Horntails in the Cup

 It is very pleasing that the Plough has survived the pandemic and retains its friendly atmosphere with a very pleasant landlady. On the night there was an excellent Wainwrights beer and the quiz team are old friends and always a joy to play.

A special mention and thanks to Andy Ridgeway who at very short notice had provided all the questions  without which there would have been no games.

Once again Jack The Hat made up the Lemming's numbers but as all questions were conferred he wasn't much use. The Lemmings were on the back foot throughout a most enjoyable game despite many questions being within living memory but one in particular had everyone struggling - what is the name of the wrinkle in a cat's ears? Bob suggested the nine banded armadillo but  the answer was cutaneous marginal pouch but an answer of Henry's pocket would have been accepted!!! No-one got it.

The final score was 94 to the Plough to the Lemmings' reasonable 77 - the home team go through to the next round.

The visitors did not wait to enjoy the pub's hospitality (very generous pizzas) but in view of the date hopped into a taxi to the Tavern where Brian had laid on a Burns Supper, a most delicious haggis, creamy mash and excellent carrot and swede mash that was complemented with a pint of Salopian's  Oracle. Thank you so much Brian and Kay, to the Horntails for a very pleasant enjoyable game and to the Plough landlady for the friendly atmosphere.

 

18 January Home to the Nags Head

 The Nags are long-time opponents and friends and it is always a pleasure to play them. The Lemmings numbers were made u this week by Jack The Hat, a rather natty beanie that may well be invited to play again.

The specialist questions really impressed the Lemmings with different takes on familiar subjects, including a round on the 'Fifties and the General Knowledge were fine too. Nevertheless the Lemmings were thrashed in bot sets.

There was an interesting historical discussion on how long various players had been playing in the League - for decades some!!

Brian had prepared a really interesting range of sandwiches to round off the evening.

Inbdividual scores were Bobg 12/12, Sunil 9/3 and Nick 6/3 with 10/20 conferred and 7/3 pass overs.

Many thanks to Brian, to the Nags Head and the question setters and the questionmaster for the evening

FOND MEMORIES

 

It is not often we play in this wonderful country pub, but with many others we have fond memories of smoky rooms (not very fond really), pickled onions and the formidable Mrs Bailey who put up a spirited resistance to Robinsons Brewery who wanted to install handpumps when she wanted to collect beer in a jug in the cellar - and of course the magnificent huge till on the counter on which a second round of the same drinks was infinitely variable in price. And let's not forget the folk music nights!!Although since her passing there has been some modernisation it still retains a lot of that old world charm.

Along with many teams the Lemmings have suffered with the Covid pandemic and their numbers were made up this week by a beer mug called Andy - Andy was a friend, a neighbour and a regular at the Waters Green Tavern who always drank from his own pewter tankard - sadly he passed away (pre Covid) and one of his tankards seems a respectful way to remember him.

Both sets of questions were good with an interesting round on chefs with flowery names (unfortunately Nick went for Blumenthal instead of Nigella!!) but at the end of the Specialist the Lemmings were trailing with 35 to the Academicals 65. Little change in the General Knowledge where the home team triumphed with 98 to 47. Final score 165 to 84.

Individual scores were Bob 12/12 Sunil 6/12 Nick 6/6 Andy and Conferred 11/12 and just 2/5 pass overs.

A very pleasant evening on a rather misty night with lots of laughter and a splendid tray of delicious sandwiches from the landlord - many thanks to the landlord, to the home team and question master from Rushton Diamonds.

SORRY HAVING PROBLEMS UPLOADING PICTURES BUT WILL KEEP TRYING

Stung by the Horntails

 Once again the Lemmings were a player down and since the ashtray was not a lot of help last week we decided instead to to play with a pint glass. Our opponents were the Plough Horntails who incidentally we should have played in the last season before Covid brought everything to a standstill. We have known and played the Horntails over many years and it is always a very pleasant evening with laughter and jokes. I must also express my admiration and thanks to Heather from the Park Tavern who acted as question master with a gentle but firm hand spiced with humour.

The specialist questions were rather difficult but balanced and fair with a rather different round on film quotations. General Knowledge were not quite as interesting but again had been vetted well.

One answer was David Whitfield that stirred some queries, but I remember sitting in Granellis on Chestergate when a friend who had just been dumped kept playing one of his songs, probably Answer Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qS2akliM_s

Bob and Sunil both put in really good scores but Nick and the glass didn't do so well and we trailed by 80 to 65 finishing 103 to the Horntails 137.

We finished with a splendid cheese tray - many thanks Brian, the Horntails and Heather

Massacre In The Park

 The Lemmings were playing away at the Park Tavern a very friendly pub with a wide range of their own beers and a couple of guests; the team is also full of fun and always a pleasure to play against.

There were some changes to the Lemmings' team - Tomo's Mum is unwell and her doctors feel that Tomo visiting pubs could be dangerous in his regular visits; and Becky had been out for a meal at the weekend only to be told that the waitress has tested for Covid and she needs to isolate. We were therefore down to the historical ashtray and three players.

The questions had all been set by the Waters Green Weavers and were all fair and balanced with the voluntary Specialist rounds being very inventive. whilst there was much laughter and fun, the mood was so light that Nick resorted to answering one question with song when asked about the Gladiator Jet.

Individual scores were Bob 6/18 Sunil 9/21 Nick 3/6 with the ashtray scoring well with 13/18 and 2/7 pass-overs - final score was 141 to the home team with the Lemmings just breaking 100.

The meeting was rounded off with a fine selection of well-stuffed sandwiches and a bowl of perfectly cooked chips.

Many thanks to the landlady, to the Team and to the question master who controlled the game with a light hand.

Home Again

 The Lemmings were question-masters last week so this was the first time the team were together - and playing at home too!!

Facing us was the Chester Road Tavern - clearly a team in depth as this week the team was quite different to the one Nick questioned last week.

The Specialist questions had been set by the Harrington Academicals and were fine, whilst the General Knowledge had been set by the non-existent Shamrock in the form of Andy Ridgeway who had kindly volunteered to do so despite having lost their venue; they were typical of Andy and were quickly dubbed Ridgeway's Revenge.

It seemed a very close match as the leaders swung from side to side but somehow the Lemmings emerged from the Specialist with 63 to the visitors' 42. In the GK rounds despite an encroaching ennui the Lemings picked up 82 to the Chester Road's 68 although the questions put a dampener on the proceedings, Nick having gone brain dead and unable to remember the name of the Home Secretary!! Final score 145 to 110. The question master had put up a valiant struggle against the noise from the ladies' darts game but came through unscathed.Bob and particularly Tomo both scored particularly well.

Individual scores were Bob 18/12, Sunil 12/9, Nick 6/9 and Tomo 15/24 with pass-overs 6/15 and conferred 6/13.

Before venturing out into the cold, wet night Brian produced a huge pan of very hot leek and potato soup that was delicious with crusty bread.

Many thanks to Brian, to the Chester Road Tavern and to the hard-working question master.

The Rebirth of the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League

 

All credit must go to the committee and especially Mark Watson in getting the League once again active - a tremendous job done smoothly and efficiently. Thank you so much.

It has been a very difficult time in the last couple of years, many pubs closing and inevitably some teams disappearing- the situation is now easing and various activities are now springing back to life including the Quiz League.

The Lemmings were question masters for thee first week and the short notice meant that two team members could not take part but we were saved by a member of the former Robin Hood team who stepped in for which we are extremely grateful.

Nick and Sunil covered the Chester Road Tavern, a welcoming pub that is very lively - as well as the quiz there was a crib match in another room and a very friendly group at the bar run by a charming lady. There is a decent selection of ales in a warm comfortable setting.

The quiz team have been in the League for many years and were playing another long-term team from the Park Tavern. It was a very friendly game with a wide-ranging set of questions that the visitors won before tucking into a selection of well-filled sandwiches.

Bob had officiated at the Dolphin and reports ""It was good to be back and good to be in at the deep end - an evening's pleasant refereeing before I've even answered a question. It's been too long and its great to be back. My sincere thanks to Mark, Hayden and all the others who have pulled together to get us back on track.  The match between the Dolphin Dragons and the Plough Horntails was close and well fought - the Dragons eventually winning. The friendly banter was as good as ever and the Dolphin good hosts.  Can't wait to get my first match under my belt!"

Many thanks to the landlords, to both teams and especially Mark and the committee.

10th March

The penultimate game of the season away to the Chester Rd Tavern a team that has won the respect of the Lemmings although they've not won a
 game turn up in good spirits and laugh and joke  - the real approx a league pub quiz. The pub itself is very friendly with real ales. It was Bob 's last game of the season and when the Lemmings won Nick was so thrilled he fell down the stairs when he got home and is hospitalised. So two down for the last game.There  was a tasty selection of sandwiches to round off the evening  - many thanks to the landlords and the team for a very pleasant evening

3rd March - Home to the Dolphin Dragons

This was the second leg of our games against the Dolphins who were currently third with 1 and 2 games in hand; the Lemmings for their part were next to bottom. But in the first leg, the Lemmings had triumphed by just one point but still felt they were peering into the abyss.

The game was about to begin when Rob the question-master noticed that not one of the C League games' questions had been collected and initiated a flurry of phone calls that resulted in four exasperated and breathless couriers bursting through the Tavern door to ensure they played a game over the next half hour.

The specialist questions were quite good, obviously the result of much thought rather than dipping into quiz books, and although the Lemmings did not score particularly well they marked them accordingly. Nevertheless they trailed by 18 points with 48 to 66 despite a beer break.

The General Knowledge had been set by the King's Gambit, their first time to do this in their first

season and this was taken into account in the marking. But there were far too many phobia questions (shouldn't be any really) although we were spared collective nouns. This led to several groans and longueurs and a further beer break in which an interim score check showed the Lemmings had closed the gap by 10 with 32 to the visitors' 22. Unfortunately they were unable to maintain this momentum eventually taking the GK rounds with 54 to 47 - reducing the overall score to a loss of 11 by 113 to 102.
The tedium of the game was broken by some jokes the punchlines being: Peruvian parrots = Inca Hoots; Elvis' Return to Zenda: and Tie a Yellow Gibbon ..!!!

Throughout there was a friendly and jocular atmosphere that Rob controlled with a deft hand.

Individual scores were Bob 9/3, Becky 3/3, Nick 9/21 and Tomo 12/6; conferred 12/12 with 3/9 pass-overs while the Dragons collected 6/9 pass-overs.

With a sigh of relief a large plate of varied tasty sandwiches appeared - many thanks to Brian, Rob and the Dolphins.

25th February Question Masters

After a night off last week, the Lemmings were question masters this week covering three venues, The Harrington Arms Gawsworth, the Robin Hood Rainow and the Chester Road Tavern.
Nick was asking at the latter, where the Nags Head, pushing the top of the table, were playing the home team who are fighting valiantly. There was some discussion (particularly from the away team) about the sinking of the White Ship, one of the History questions, but Wikipedia (the go-to resort for objections) shows this was the touchstone for that period of British history known as The Anarchy. Nevertheless the atmosphere was friendly and rounded off with a generous selection of sandwiches.

Similar objections were made at the Harrington Arms in a good-spirited game.

11th February Away to the Nags Head

Fortunately it is only a short walk from the Tavern, where the Lemmings gather, to the Nags, as it was in the tail end of storm Ciara, bitterly cold, howling wind and sleet. But the Nags is a wonderful old market pub, several storeys high with marbled floors several rooms one a huge area at the back where the game was played.The home team are old friends and adversaries sitting comfortably in second place in the League - it would never be easy even though as home team the Nags had to provide the question master.

Both sets of questions had been set by the Dolphins and were OK but the Nags quickly took control taking the specialist rounds with 79 to 57. Hoping to improve the Lemmings were disappointed to finish the General Knowledge with a similar deficit of 97 to 73 with a final score on the results sheet of 166 to 130 (although Nick's notes show the Nags had 176).

Even so, it was Bob's turn to shine with a best-ever personable best of 45 - congratulations Bob!!

Individual scores were Bob 18/27, Sunil 6/3, Nick 6/9 and Tomo 12/15 - conferred points were 11/13 with 4/6 pass-overs while the home team took 4/13 pass-overs.

The evening was rounded off with a splendid warming feast of pies, pasties and chips with gravy - many thanks to the landlady, and to the Nags for a worthy win.

4th February - Home to the Harrington Academicals

This was a battle for mid-table positions but the Lemmings remembered their previous meeting in the first half of the season when they lost by 55 points! On that occasion Bob was not playing, this time we were without Tomo who had been sent off to Wimbledon by his office and both Becky and Sunil were playing. Fortified by a roaring fire and excellent ales the Lemmings prepared for battle.

The questions had all been set by the Weaver and were very good but the Lemmings stuttered from the start and struggled to hit their stride losing the Specialist rounds with 43 to 55 - but they've made up such a difference before.

Unfortunately the Lemmings still struggled with the General Knowledge (that illicitly included a couple of collective nouns for animals) losing 83 to 46 - almost as bad as the previous encounter.

Individual scores were Bob 15/15, Sunil 3/0, Nick 12/3 and Becky 3/6. Conferred points were 10/14

with pass-overs 0/8. The Academicals picked up 7/17 pass-overs. Final score 138 to 89.

The conferred and pass-overs bring out clearly the struggles of the Lemmings and the superiority of the visitors.

Nevertheless it was a most enjoyable game, rounded off with a tasty selection of sandwiches - many thanks to the Academicals, to Brian and to Keith, question master from the Rams.

28th January home to the Rams

Back in harness after surviving the Chinese New Year and  Burns Night the Lemmings were facing their sister team the Rams who are sitting proud at the top of the B League.Playing the Rams is always a pleasant evening and we were welcomed by a blazing log fire to add to the atmosphere.
The questions we thought were very good especially the Specialist rounds as a lot of thought had gone into them including questions on astronomy, mythology and medicine.
The Lemmings put up a pretty good fight but at the end of the specs were trailing with 58 to the Rams' 63 - not beyond reach.
But in the General Knowledge the gap widened with scores of 83 to 69  leaving the Rams with a winning total of 146 to 127.
Of particular note is that Sunil has found his feet finishing with the same as our top scorer Tomo, individual scores being:
Bob 9/9, Sunil 9/15, Nick 9/12 and Tomo 15/9 conferred points were 10/16 with 6/8 pass-overs while the Rams picked up 7/6 pass-overs.
A very pleasant and good-natured evening was rounded off with a varied selection of tasty sandwiches - many thanks to Kay, to the Rams and to the question master who was good on time and fair.

22nd January Rest Period

For the second time in three weeks the Lemmings had a night off so nothing to report - sorry

14th January Away to the Robin Hood

The parish of Rainow previously boasted six pubs but now the Robin Hood stands alone and proud in the shadow of White Nancy, on the border of the Peak  District overlooking Kerridge Ridge, pock-marked with the scars of old bell mines. It is first mentioned in an 1881 map and with wooden beams, bright fire and stone walls proudly guards its heritage. With three hand-pumps and a selection of lagers etc the pub has a fine reputation for food and is a welcome stop for cyclists, hikers and nature lovers.There is a lovely black and white photo of the pub in this week's Macc Express.

The Lemmings wasted no time refreshing themselves from the long climb from the Tavern (thanks to Rob for the lift) with the well-kept ale in this the first game of the second round of the League and settled down to a pretty good set of Specialist questions from the Church House Bollington (who did both sets).
Two observations must be made here - firstly Becky knew a lot of the answers (particularly Science) but still lacks the confidence to speak up - big lesson there!! And Tomo very quickly hit his stride with an almost perfect Specialist set although he modestly claimed to be guessing.The Lemmings managed to steal ahead with 60 to the home team's 47. The General Knowledge were rather less interesting but Tomo continued his remarkable run ending with a total and personal best of 45!! The Robin Hood also came into their own in this round losing by just one point with 75. Final score 135 for the Lemmings to 123.

Individual scores were Bob 9/9 Becky 9/6  Nick 9/9 Tomo 21/24 Conferred 9/18 pass-overs 3/6 while the Robin Hood picked up 7/6 pass-overs.

It was a very pleasant evening against a friendly team rounded off with a fine selection of tasty sandwiches - many thanks to the landlord, to the home team and to the question master who was good on time-keeping.

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 …