STOP PRESS:

Monday 21st January 7.30pm BBC2 - Mastermind

featuring Charabancs' very own Damian struggling with an old King!!

(see Message Board)

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The Girls are defeated (at last) by Ethel - with neither team scoring as highly as the bottom 2 teams (Snoopy's and TMTCH) who battled out a 40-40 tie at the Parrs Wood

The Results

Albert lost on the final question by one point to the Electric Pigs

Ethel Rodin scored an historic home win against the 3-man Napier Girls - this is the first defeat the Girls have suffered so far this season

History Men just edged it in a high-scoring nailbiter at the Red against the Charabancs of Fire - Damian writes:

"A thoroughly exciting match that went down to the very last question - as so often happens when our two teams meet.

On this occasion the Historians emerged triumphant owing largely to their superior knowledge of metalwork, embroidery and alternative names for one of JS Bach's most famous works.  Their victory by one point was even more impressive given the fact that they were handicapped half way through Round 1 when Historian Peter decided enough was enough and that it was time for a kip.  As the said kip lasted for the rest of the quiz, we could only admire the Historians' fortitude in politely asking him his question and then immediately proceeding to deliberate on his behalf for a conferred point.  Not even the enticement of a naked ladies picture round could rouse him from his slumber.  Only the urgency of a full bladder succeeded!

As Peter had fallen asleep on one of our previous encounters, we can only surmise that our presence in the Red Lion has a uniquely soporific effect on him.  We really must endeavour to be more interesting and exciting when we next meet!!  At any rate, Historian Anne has captured photographic evidence to celebrate the occasion which she promises to forward for publication on the website.  We await the best caption contest with baited breath!"

Well here is the picture of Historians Pete and David deep in conference during one of the picture rounds last night:

As Damian suggests caption suggestions are very welcome (perhaps via the message board).

The Men TCH notched their highest score of the season by some way in a thrilling tied home match against Snoopy's Friends

X-Pats were just ahead for most of their home match against the Opsimaths then failed to dip for the tape

The Paper

Albert Park set this week.  Apart from Kieran, it seems most thought this a good 'un.  Andrew Simcock's verdict from the Pigs/Albert encounter:

"Drama of last question winner!  Superb quiz - quiz of the year so far.  Virtually all questions excellent."

and Ivor writes:

"This was a quiz that had it all.  Excellent questions for which we award an A+ - only 3 unanswerables.  It was to and fro all night and the quiz was decided on the last pair.  Despite our home advantage we ran into some trouble when a team member conked out after round 6 (though not in the 'John le Mesurier' fashion) - see picture above.

As is frequently the case with the Charabancs the post-quiz repartee was most enjoyable ranging from Roisin’s school photograph, to how to avoid prostate cancer by either the frequent consumption of onions, or regular masturbation in one’s youth."

We certainly enjoyed it at The Sun in September (the quiz that is!).  Highlight of the evening came in the 'My Kind of Town' round.  We were still at the 'Is it towns in Lancashire' stage when Colin glanced at the Don Warrington photo and said "I don't think it's Burt Lancaster" (who ironically came up in the following round).  Both teams erupted.  Even the really tough Round 2 pictures on Metalwork, Woodwork, Needlework, etc., where only 4 points were scored in total, was commended as fair game.

There was one bone of contention (which Kieran highlighted and was certainly a debating point at The Sun in September).  Those old enough remember the Morris Oxford and the Austin Cambridge as virtually the same car.  However whereas the Morris Oxford picture looked just like the Oxford I used to drive around in the late '60s, the Austin photo was side on and hard to discern.  Not a good pair of questions.

Nevertheless the closeness of the results is evidence of the care taken to balance the questions elsewhere.  All in all, I feel, a cracking good paper.  Well done the Park!!  It seems you're back to your 2005 best.  

Question of the Week

The Men They Couldn't Hang cast the vote this week - and they opted for Round 8 Question 4:

What 1969 No 1 hit song was picked by Margaret Thatcher as her number one Desert Island disc?

Click here to see the answers to this and the rest of the week's questions and answers.