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News and Views
2008–9 Season

On this page:

Week 1: 4 November 2008
Week 2: 11 November 2008
Week 3: 18 November 2008
Cup Round 1: 25 Nov 2008
Week 4: 2 December 2008
Week 5: 9 December 2008
Week 6: 6 January 2009
Week 7: 13 January 2009
Week 8: 20 January 2009
Week 9: 3 February 2009
Week 10: 10 February 2009
Week 11: 17 February 2009
Week 12: 24 February 2009
Week 13: 10 March 2009
Week 14: 17 March 2009
Week 15: 24 March 2009
Week 16: 31 March 2009
Week 17: 21 April 2009
Week 18: 28 April 2009

News and Views: 2008–9 Season

Fixtures and Results:

A League B League C League Cup Plate

Question Balance

The following table shows the number of games won each week by the teams going first and second, respectively, in the Specialist rounds.

Week Date No. of games First Second
1 4 November 2008 12 5 6
2 11 November 2008 12 9 3
3 18 November 2008 12 5 7
4 2 December 2008 12 7 5
5 9 December 2008 12 5 7
6 6 January 2009 12 6 6
7 13 January 2009 12 10 2
8 20 January 2009 12 9 3
9 3 February 2009 12 3 9
10 10 February 2009 12 5 6
11 17 February 2009 12 4 8
12 24 February 2009 11 4 7
13 10 March 2009 12 5 7
14 17 March 2009 12 5 6
15 24 March 2009 12 8 4
16 31 March 2009 12 4 8
17 21 April 2009 12 4 8
18 28 April 2009 12 7 5

In each of Weeks 1, 10 and 14 there was one drawn match.

Week 1: 4 November 2008

It was a seamless start to the season, with every Question Master in place and all teams turned up. The quest for knowledge (and possibly a drink to go with it) goes on ...

A League

A mighty early season clash between the Dolphin and the Principals ended in a draw at 151 apiece. Surely this should have been televised? If they can get away with showing Fulham v Newcastle ...

Good scores were the order of the day from all players as you would expect in such a high scoring game, Peter McBride (39) and Alan Levitt (36) top scoring for each side.

The other games were less close with the Dolphin Dragons, Castle and Ox–fford registering early wins to get their campaigns off to a flyer.

B League

It was generally closer here; the Puss Heads stand proudly atop the table after a 140–111 win over the Church House Bollington. Dave Pennington (33) led the way and that long time traveller (not time–traveller, although he does live Oldham–way where time is a bit behind) Andy Johnson also scored an excellent 30.

The closest game was at the Waters Green where the newly named Waters Green Phoenix just edged the Baths Hotel by three points. A solid team effort here in the absence of Captain Nick who is floating around the edge of Africa in a boat for a couple of weeks in a loin–girding exercise for updating his blog upon his return. Jon Thompson, Wendy Brown and Bob Langstaff all flew the flag with 21 each.

The Plough Taverners and the Cock Inn also won to complete the set for this first week.

C League

We warmly welcome two new teams from the Lord Byron, namely the Byron Laureates and the Byron Bards. Both had tricky fixtures against teams with several hundred years (quite literally) of experience in this format and both were beaten by the Harrington 'B' and Sutton Church House respectively. Geoff Parkin (36) and Win Greenwood (30) did the trick for their respective teams as they so often do.

The newly relocated Prince of Wales, aka the Crown, got off to a winning start in their new home by beating the Waters Green Rams 116–100. Kenny Davenport–Slater top scored with 21 in his first appearance since 2006–07, during which time he has also grown a new bit on his name.

Finally the Lamb Inn beat the Albion 131–106 with Marshall Barnard and Simon Rumsey chipping in 24 each.

Well done to the Knot Inn and the Chester Road Tavern who produced some entertaining questions with much less notice than every other team gets during the season. Of the twelve games this week, five were won by teams who went “first first”, i.e. first in the Specialist Round, and six by teams going the other way around, plus one draw.

Week 2: 11 November 2008

A League

This week saw another mighty clash between two teams at the forefront of quizzing in South East Cheshire, namely the Dolphin Dragons and the Principals (the latter fresh from their draw last week). The Dolphin Dragons won an excellent game 168–143 with former "Mastermind" Liz Horrocks and Robin Morrell both scoring 36 for the Dragons. Alan Levitt and Graham Bailey chipped in with excellent 33s for the Principals.

The Ox–fford 'C' got their season off to a flying start with a 160–142 win over the British Flag, Haydn Thompson top scoring with 39. Elsewhere, the Dolphin eased past the Castle with Peter McBride adding an impressive 42 to last week's 39, whilst the Ox–fford did the same against the New Castle.

The Ox–fford v New Castle game was subject to a last minute "change of venue" as the Castle's Landlord had put his back out and couldn't open. All hail the Nags Head in Waters Green for providing a room at the last minute, and thanks to the New Castle for still bringing down the end of game pasties and delicious gravy. Much appreciated ...

B League

The Waters Green Phoenix continued their rise from the ashes by beating the Cock Inn 155–111, that stalwart of many a daft question Bob Langstaff top scoring with 36.

There were a lot of 36s around in the B League. Alasdair Reid and Mike Vickerstaff both had that score for their respective teams as the Puss Heads beat the Baths Hotel in a close contest 131–123.

Best B League score of the night was Brian Bogie's 42 for the Knot Inn, who beat the George & Dragon 162–101. Mike Bennett was on good form for the G&D with 27.

Rick Davis scored 39 to top the B League Individual table but couldn't stop the Church House Bollington from losing to the Plough Taverners 120–140, David Williams scoring 30 for the Plough.

C League

The "Sutton Derby" was won by the Lamb Inn, who beat the Sutton Church House 124–105. Paul Griffiths (33) and Win Greenwood (27) top scored for each side.

The Albion beat the Chester Road Tavern 119–96, with Roberto Rodriguez scoring 27 for the Albion and Tony Moores doing likewise for the CRT. The Albion always seem to find players with interesting names ...

The two Byrons, Bards and Laureates, are still looking for their first win, the Bards going down to the Harrington 'B' and the Laureates to the Waters Green Rams. Geoff Parkin tops the C League Individuals after another excellent 30 for the Harrington 'B' whilst mention must be made of Tracey Crellin's excellent 27 for the Rams.

Week 3: 18 November 2008

This week's questions suited some better than others. I think it is good to see a variety of topics on offer and you can't have enough questions on comics as far as I am concerned! The North West of England is a better informed place for more people now knowing who Norrin Radd is ...

Cup Round 1: 25 November 2008

A great set of questions from the Ox-fford 'C' and the Church House Bollington facilitated a very pleasant evening. Thanks also to the Waters Green Rams for providing an emergency Question Master very late in the day - much appreciated.

The Principals won't be defending their Plate title this year as they made their way into Round 2 of the Cup with a comfortable win over the Sutton Church House. Last year's beaten Plate finalists the Knot Inn also won through to the last 16 of the Cup at the expense of the Crown.

The two closest games involved the Castle teams. The closest saw the New Castle just beat the Puss Artists 85-84 whilst the Castle came out on the wrong side of a 108-106 result against the Plough Taverners.

Assorted News

A couple of bits of news.

Firstly, about a stalwart of the Quiz League for many years and your correspondent's predecessor in the role of Secretary / Whatever: Peter Cole. Peter has spent a fair bit of this year recovering from breaking both arms right at the start of the year. All is now going very well; Peter has just undergone another operation on his left arm to fix a broken plate, and the prognosis is good. Peter has also decided to retire from full time work at the end of November. Peter and Tina are both looking forward to trips round the country to renew old acquaintances, so get the kettle on!

And secondly: after the games on Tuesday the 2nd of December we have one more round of League games (9th) before our Christmas break. I will actually be away from later this week as my family and I are off to New Zealand to spend Christmas with the more far flung elements of my said family. I thus won’t be around next week for obvious reasons and nor will the News & Views. I will sort it all out when I get back just before the New Year. If you have any problems next week, please call John, Graham or Marshall. We then start again on Tuesday the 6th of January. If I don’t see you before then, can I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2009.

Week 6: 6 January 2009

As surely as Cristiano Ronaldo will not be getting a free courtesy car from Stratstone this week, so Macclesfield Quiz League has returned to life after Christmas – thankfully without hitting any stationary inanimate objects ...

A League

Rresults went the way of the form teams, the current top four all winning their games reasonably comfortably with the exception of the Ox–fford who only just had the better of the Harrington Academicals in a close and entertaining game at the Harrington. A very good night was enjoyed by all, not least because the pub was as warm as toast on what was most likely the coldest night of the winter so far (–8°C being spotted on the car temperature gauge). Thanks to all concerned for the hospitality and to Heather & Shauna from the New Castle who asked the questions. If I hadn't broken my camera whilst on holiday I would have immortalised the scene more pictorially for you ...

Elsewhere good scores abounded as Tim & Caroline Massey scored PBs for the Ox–fford 'C', who beat the Dolphin Dragons in the somewhat colder surroundings of the Ox–fford which was suffering from a new year lack of plumber availability after a central heating fault. All should be restored by now...

Peter McBride continued his relentless march to the top of the A League Individual standings with another excellent 42 as the Dolphin beat the British Flag, Jeff Whitney top scoring for the Flag. The Principals completed the A League fixtures with Tim Findlow and Alan Gilday both scoring 39 and Graham Bailey 36 in a comfortable win against the Castle. The Principals were in imperious form, scoring 81 points on the Specialist questions alone. Scary...

B League

The Puss Heads march relentlessly on with their sixth win out of six – a very close 135–132 win over the Plough Taverners. The Heads are in a rich vein of form and it is no surprise that all the team are comfortably in the Top 10 Individual standings.

Those standings are still headed though by Rick Davis of the Church House Bollington, who helped his team beat the George & Dragon. Ed Baron starred for the CHB on the night with 39.

The Puss Artists are moving in the right direction with a comfortable win over the Cock InnDave Cooper providing a season's best 36 for the Artists, whilst in the remaining game the Knot Inn consolidated their second place in the table with a win over the Baths Hotel.

C League

The Crown have the only 100% record left here, a comfortable win over the Lamb Inn giving them five out of five so far this term. Kenny Davenport–Slater (33), Andy Ridgway (30) and Glyn Bradley (27) all made hay whilst the sun (metaphorically) shone.

In another very close game at the Waters Green, the Rams lost by just four points to the Harrington 'B'. Tracey Crellin is just below the Top 10 despite having played only four games for the Rams, and top scored again for them with 24. Adum Carr also scored a season's best 21. Geoff Parkin (27) and Tom Aindow (21) saw the Harrington home.

Finally the two Byrons continue to progress, scoring well whilst losing to two very long established teams in this forum – the Bards to the Chester Road Tavern and the Laureates to the Albion. Jed Singleton (21) top scored for the Bards and Jas Welsby (18) for the Laureates, whilst Steve and Bill Moores got their seasons going with 30 and 27 respectively for the CRT. John Hargreaves scored a top–notch 36 whilst Roberto Rodriguez weighed in with 33 for the Albion.

Week 7: 13 January 2009

Several good scores were registered this week, by both teams and individuals, as the "Big Beasts" of the Quiz League jungle really get their teeth into the season.

A League

The main man of many years standing Alan Hodgson scored 54 as the Dolphin enjoyed a comfortable win over the Harrington Academicals. Alan has won the A League Individual title on no fewer than ten occasions, leaving him far and away in the lead on that score and not likely to be caught. Peter "Mr Consistency" McBride also scored 39 for the Dolphin –he has scored three 39s, three 42s and a 45 this season. What wouldn' we give at the City of Manchester stadium for such reliability...

Alice Walker lead the way with a terrific personal best 51 as the Ox–fford 'C' beat the New Castle, Shauna Barstow and Neil Wall scoring 24 each for them.

Elsewhere the questions suited the Ox–fford better than the Castle, with Paul Morrissey putting down the microphone long enough to score a season's best 39. Mark Shaw (who should never be allowed anywhere near a microphone) did the same with 27.

By far the closest game of the week was the Dolphin Dragons' 133–130 win over the British Flag. Tighter than a Government accountant's bottom here, with four players notching up their best scores this campaign: Tony Browne (33) and Neil Drummond (30) for the Flag, Gary Stubbs (30) and John Burgess (21) for the Dragons.

B League

The Puss Heads remain top, despite not playing. The Knot Inn cemented their second spot with a 122–108 win over the Waters Green Phoenix, Brian Bogie top scoring with 30.

The Plough Taverners became one of four teams on six points with a 118–85 win over the Cock Inn, Grenville Leah and Phil Davies scoring 21 apiece. Another close affair saw the George & Dragon just beat the Baths Hotel by five points, Malcolm Asquith and Mike Vickerstaff scoring 27 each for their respective teams.

Finally the Puss Artists kept their good run going (lost the first three games, won the next three) with a 135–115 win over the Church House Bollington. Ed Baron and Rick Davis scored 33s for the CHB, while Dave Cooper had the night's best score with 36 for the Artists.

C League

This is also very tight, with a long queue of four teams on eight points following the Crown who sit top with twelve after six wins out of six. Their latest victims were the Byron Laureates for whom Jon Prout scored a commendable 21. Andy Ridgway moved to 3rd in the Individual standings with another very solid 24.

The Byron Bards lost to the Albion, despite Patrick Booth's 24 on his debut for the Bards. John Hargreaves chipped in another ever–reliable 27 for the Albion.

Adum Carr clocked up a season's best 30 for the Waters Green Rams as they beat the Lamb Inn by nine points, and the Sutton Church House completed the night's games by beating the Chester Road Tavern, Barrie McQuinn scoring 27 for the winning team.

Week 8: 20 January 2009

As we hurtle to the half way stage of the season faster than Mike Riley can send you off for nothing, Week 8 saw some excellent close games.

Alan Levitt scored 54 for the Principals as they inflicted a first defeat of the season on the Ox-fford. We have had a few 54s this season; how long before another magic 60, I wonder?

The Puss Heads and the Knot Inn are settling in nicely atop the B League. Can anyone get to them before the season ends?

In the C League the Crown, Albion and Lamb Inn are still the teams to catch, even though the Crown suffered their first defeat of the season to their long–time bogey team the Chester Road Tavern.

Weeks 9 and 10: 3 and 10 February 2009

These two weeks saw some very popular questions being set. The Byron Bards stand proudly atop the tree for question setting currently with their GK questions from Week 9, although the Ox–fford 'C' chased them hard with both sets last week. Well done to all concerned for setting good, entertaining questions.

One of the League games in Week 9 has been subject of a written protest to the Committee: a process that is entirely allowed by the rules. Happily the protest does not involve any issues between the two teams involved (who I have kept fully informed separately to this announcement) but rather concerns the accuracy of the answer to one question supplied by the question setters along with the process of resolving disagreements about questions where the answer given is in dispute. The Committee will meet as soon as possible to decide upon the issue, and would have done so by now if all the relevant members had been in the country at the same time long enough! The original result of the game is left as recorded, as it finished on the night, until the Committee has met.

Week 11: 17 February 2009

A League

All the usual suspects won, namely both Ox–ffords, the Dolphin and the Principals. The Ox–ffords, Dolphins and Principals occupy the traditional top five spots with precious little between them.

B League

This is tighter still, with the Puss Heads losing only their second game of the season to the Baths Hotel, who were in fact playing their very first game at their new home of the Pack Horse Bowling Club. The Baths won 116–112, Mike Vickerstaff leading the way with 33.

Elsewhere the other three games were also close. Four points was again the only difference between the Cock Inn and the Waters Green Phoenix, the latter winning 114–110. Bob "Grandad" Langstaff scored another 30.

The Knot Inn look comfortable in second place in the League, with a game in hand, after they beat the George & Dragon by 10 points. The Plough Taverners stay fourth after a 12–point win over the Church House Bollington.

C League

The Albion sit deservedly top of the tree, after a 127–121 win over the Chester Road Tavern. The Lamb Inn go second after a win in the "Sutton Derby" against the Sutton Church House, Marshall Barnard scoring a season's best 30. Luck continues to evade the two Byrons, but their scores are improving as the season wears on and their time will surely come.

Weeks 12, 13 and 14: 24 February, 10 March and 17 March, 2009

The last two weeks have seen quite a variety of questions, Week 13 having some very hard ones (the one about the fastest ever skateboarder has already passed into legend) and Week 14 probably having too many on the easy side.

Week 17: 21 April 2009

As the dust starts to think about settling on another season, some of the issues are starting to be decided.

The A League bids farewell to the New Castle, who will be an undoubted force in the B League next season. The British Flag have to rely on some unlikely mathematics to avoid joining them.

Coming up from the B League will be the Puss Heads and the Knot Inn, whose meteoric rise continues. Both teams have had excellent seasons and the last game will settle the League title.

At the other end, the Cock Inn and the Puss Artists will be in the C League next time around. They will be swapping places with the Albion and one other – either the Crown or the Lamb Inn, depending upon next week's results.

© Macclesfield Quiz League 2019