Last week I was seriously impressed with McKay, the Northern Irish captain for eventual victors the University of Sheffield and with him I really felt the competition began. His team was not the strongest but the inexplicably haired academic (what was that odd patch of white at the front?) raised the bar and set the new standard for other students to meet. Last night it was the turns of Lucy Cavendish, Cambridge and Warwick to see if they were up to the challenge.

Lucy Cavenish, Cambridge is an all female college with students over 21, while Warwick won the coveted UC title last year (team pictured right). There was a lot at stake with the teams refusing to mix the sexes (Lucy Cavendish all female, Warwick all male) and after Paxman’s customary preamble, it was down to boffin business.

Lucy Cavendish, Cambridge
Cowan – studying English.
Poole Majerus – studying Archeology and Anthropology (and presumably any other long words beginning with an ‘a’.) Very smartly dressed in a mandarin-style top with her hair in a neat bun – she was probably the strongest in the team and the group’s most natural leader. Her air of authority and presence meant that she should have been the captain. However the double-barreled name combined with the mouthy title of the college made for a lengthy introduction each time she answered a question.
Bull (captain) – studying Social and Political Sciences. Seemed unconfident and constantly apologetic, as though she felt she shouldn’t have been there. Bull kept her eyes fixed downwards on the desk each time she answered a question, had a quiet, wispy voice that trailed off towards the end of a sentence and nominated teammates to answer questions that she could have said under their guidance. Sadly, for the only all female team we have seen (and might see) this series, she lacked the self-belief, efficiency and steely determination exhibited by some of the male captains.
Alexander – studying Natural Sciences.

University of Warwick (how typically male are these subject areas?)
Elliott – studying Maths. A full-on beard very much at odds with the usual straggly attempts most male students flaunt on this show. Got quite upset with himself when he incorrectly answered but happily indulged a rue half smile and look to the side when more successful.
Nguyen – studying Economics.
Lightfoot (captain) – studying Biology. A mature student though the only member of his team not be wearing spectacles.
Jayaram – studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Swiss but he didn’t contribute enough to notice any accent.

Warwick bagged the first few points though the start was tentative for both sides. An uncommon amount of starter for tens went both unanswered and incorrectly answered by both teams and it looked to be quite a shaky contest.

Lucy Cavendish earned their first points after five minutes but built on these to take the lead after another five. The score was 65 to LC and 45 to Warwick, but was not maintained when Warwick performed well on a series of rap music questions. The teams stayed within close range of one another and again LC fought back to reclaim their lead. After 15 minutes, they were 15 points ahead with a total of 90 compared to Warwick’s 85, but this contest had a long way to go yet.

Warwick shone during another music round and LC were becoming hindered by their own slow decision-making. Paxman grew irritated by their long pauses and deliberations, at one point snapping “you may not confer, I’m not waiting any longer.” The outburst was merited, with the ladies validating the stereotype of dawdling women. Captain Bull was probably most to blame, not demonstrating enough urgency.

After 20 minutes the scores were even at 110, but with only three minutes to go Warwick began to pull away. Lightfoot was dogged and alert and helped his team assume a lead of 60 points in the final stages. This gap was only to grow, with LC running out of steam while Warwick soldiered on. The final score saw Warwick win with 225 points amassed compared to the 130 of Lucy Cavendish, Cambridge.

In all honesty, Warwick may have won but they were far from hugely impressive. Without any obvious stars in their midst, I cannot see them emulating last year’s success and will do well to get through the next round. Paxman applauded their “very good score”, though the majority of it was collected when LC caved late on. Lucy Cavenish, Cambridge were encouraged to “hold their heads up high”, but sadly (and it pains me to admit this), it was quite a limp display of female academic ability. Shame.

Week 6: Central Lancashire lost to Sheffield
Week 5: St Cross, Oxford lost to Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Week 4: Birmingham lost to St Andrews
Week 3: Liverpool lost to Leeds
Week 2: Magdalen lost to SOAS
Week 1: Lancaster lost to Nottingham