News

Durham thwarted in TV Challenge

(17 February 2004)

Durham's heroic University Challenge team were narrowly beaten by the famous gong in Round Two of BBC2's student quiz series last night.

Durham and the London Metropolitan University fought a close battle, taking turns in the lead. With time runnng out, Durham won another starter question, but before they could answer the bonus questions, worth 15 points, the gong sounded the end of the contest, leaving them with 140 to the Met's 150.

The team members were: Peter Barraclough (Trevelyan, Archaeology), Mary Falkner (St John's, Molecular Biol/Biochem), Ian Jenkins (Hatfield, Mod Lang), and Michael Weaver (St Chad's, Politics). They were among the highest scorers of the current series when they beat Bristol in the first round by 225 points to 70.

Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman saluted the team's superb effort. He said: "It is so frustrating to run out of time within grasp of securing a win, but our students have again shown a great a range knowledge and excellent teamwork. I applaud their achievement."

Durham has twice won the University Challenge title, most recently in 2000.