Orrell & District Quiz League

Paul Prior of UCC Blues appeared in the fifth episode of Brain of Britain, broadcast on Radio 4 on Monday 26th March. 

You can listen to find out how he got on by clicking on the link below

Brain of Britain Heat 5

All ten teams have signed up for the new season, which will start on Tuesday 3rd April 2018.

Running Horses Colts have changed venues and names - they will now be playing at the Talbot Ale House, Duke St, St Helens and will therefore be changing their name to The Talbot Colts.

The new season's fixtrures can be found in the fixture calendar, and also on each team's individual page.

All existing teams who would like to compete in this year's league season must attend and express their intention to participate and also pay the first instalment of this season's fees. The meeting will take place at Upholland Conservative Club on Sunday 11th February at 8pm.

The AGM of the Orrell and District Quiz League was held last night with 6 teams represented. The only motion was a rule change to make ALL rounds free guess rounds. The motion was carried by 5 votes to 1. It was agreed to trial the rule change for next season when it will be reviewed.

The registration meeting will take place on February 11th 2018 at 8pm, when existing teams must register for the new season.

Pat Gibson of Millstone (and other stuff like Eggheads, Mastermind, Who Wants to be a Millionaire etc) recently won the European Quiz Championship to complete a career Grand Slam, having previously won The British and World titles.

At the competition held in Zagreb, Croatia, Pat beat several hundred other quizzers from all around Europe to take the Individual title, while also winning the pairs title with friend and fellow Egghead Kevin Ashman, and joining Kevin, Olav Bjortomt and Ian Bayley in the England team to win the European Team Championship.

There is an article on te Wigan Today website giving a nice writeup.

In the new and smaller venue of Orrell Cricket Club, 26 players and hence 13 pairs competed for this annual competition. After over 100 questions David Fitzgerald (Britannia) & Pat Gibson (Millstone) emerged worthy winners; Tony Robinson and Debbie Davidson (both Bryn Labour Club) finished a close second while Graham Barker (UCC Blues) & Paul Swindlehurst (Bryn PLC) were third.

Trophies were awarded to the League winners and runners up - UCC Blues and Millstone. Cup winners and runners up - Bryn PLC and UCC Blues and Plate winners and runners up - Millstone and Robin Hood

Thanks to everyone for attending and making the evening a friendly (if competitive) and enjoyable one.

Another reminder that this annual end of season event will take place at Orrell Red Triangle Cricket Club,Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XF, on Friday 3rd November starting at 8.30pm sharp. The venue is a new one and might not be familiar to everyone, so here are some directions for those without satnav. The Cricket Club can be found by turning up the track at the side of the YMCA at the bottom of Winstanley Road opposite Hewitt Business Park.

Anyone who participated in the games this season, is eligible to enter. Please come along to what should be an enjoyable evening

The order of the matches held at last night's Finals Night at The Delph Tavern was swapped due to a member of the Robin Hood team being stuck in traffic on the M6.  It was agreed by all teams to play the Cup Final first, with the Plate final to follow.

In the Cup Final Bryn PLC (Handicap 20) played UCC Blues (1) in a set by Carl Rennox.  UCC immediately started pegging back the 19 point handicap difference, reducing it to 7 points by the end of the third round.  At this point, Bry showed their mettle, winning the next two rounds and drawing round 6, taking the points difference back up to 16.  UCC Blues then staged a fightback, but it proved to be too late, with Bryn PLC finishing as winners with a score of 47-42.  Allan Pugh was Bryn's highest scorer with 13 points, with Chris Quinn scoring 17 for UCC.

After the delayed arrival of Gary Grant, the Plate Final got underway with Robin Hood having a 1 point handicap over the Millstone.  The match was nip and tuck for the first half, with a score of 22-22 at the changeover, but Millstone then pulled away to finish the match with a score of 51-37.  Pat Gibson scored a stupendous 29 points for Millstone, with Gary Grant and Sue Perks both scoring 10 for Robin Hood.