Merseyside Quiz Leagues

Many congratulations to Karl Whelan who became the 68th Brain of Britain by winning the Final of the 2021 BBC Radio 4 competition when it was broadcast recently.  In lifting the trophy and winning the coveted title he succeeded fellow MQL player, Graham Barker who was the 2020 Champion.  Karl, who plays in the Wirral League, has won the MQL Mimir title on 5 occasions and he is the 4th MQL player to be Brain of Britain.

On Thursday 28 October, the MQL Council met to review how the season was progressing.  

Areas each reported on any problems that had occurred in the first four weeks of the season. In general, there had been very few postponements due to COVID. There had been some difficulties with venues not opening due to staff shortages or closing early due to lack of custom, but on the whole things appear to be progressing well. Of the few complaints about social distancing, one had been resolved while another was ongoing.

Areas had each explained to their teams about any arrangements for postponing matches for this season due to Covid or health reasons. Area secretaries decided that they would remind teams about the arrangements for postponements and that postponed games must be played on the rescheduled date or usual rules will be applied (Rule 39).  

Area secretaries also decided that they would, if necessary, remind teams about the provision of refreshments. The MQL Council advice still stood, that no refreshments need be provided this season unless supplied by the venue as part of the hosting arrangements.  If a team were intent on providing refreshments, then they would need to check on regulations with their venue and then out of courtesy, inform their opponents of the situation.

Congratulations to Teesside (Michael McPartland, Clive Dunning, Adam Barr, Tony Walmsley) who beat A Team of Two Halves (Paul Sinha, Oliver Levy, Andy Bolton) in a close Final to win the Third Diamond Jubilee Buzzer Tournament held at St Peter's Church and Centre, Woolton, Liverpool on Saturday 9 October.  The Plate Competition was won by Wirral A (Jim Eccleson, Ian Jack, Dave Ryan, Jon Stitcher and Mike McDonough) who beat Lincolnshire (Lawrence Cook, Ian Welham, Andrew Hunter, Isabelle Heward, Pete Daniel) in their Final.  The Individual Best Performance was won by Pat Gibson (Ormskirk).

Many thanks to all who took part and especially to the team of QPs and scorers who asked over ten matches throughout the day.  We are most grateful to the St Peter's Church & Centre and the Bradbury Centre for Blind People for providing the facilities and the refreshments.

Results may be viewed here.

Following a meeting of the MQL Council on Sunday 19 September, it was decided to start the 2021-22 Season in the week commencing 4 October.  See your local area website and messages from your secretary for fixture details.  We are sure that all participants will continue to show consideration for others with regards to COVID measures.  An extra Council Meeting has been scheduled for 28 October to review progress.

We hope that you enjoy your return to quizzing in person!

At the MQL Council Meeting on Sunday 18 July all Areas reported the responses of their teams to the question of resuming face to face (FTF) quizzing.  Just over 75% of all 104 teams asked were ready to restart FTF in the new season and their venues were confirmed.  This may increase to 86% after teams had had a period of trying out the experience.  After discussion it was agreed that we should go ahead and plan a complete season but starting slightly later in the week commencing 4 October.
As usual each Area will arrange their own league structure to best suit the length of the season and the number of teams.  It was expected that they would also plan a number of friendly matches in September in order to try out the arrangements that have been made in each of their venues.
It is accepted that we are still living in very uncertain times and League officials accept that these plans may need to be changed as the situation develops.  It is hoped to be able to give the final go ahead at a meeting scheduled for Sunday 19 September. 
The Minutes of the meeting containing further details are here.