Who knew the Royal family is not allowed to play Monopoly together?

Charles C

In a high-octane opening October quiz, teams were tested on a range of topics even more eclectic than usual. Through the evening we discovered: the only Spice Girl named after an actual spice is Ginger Spice; Alaska is the US state which contains the country’s highest mountain; and, ‘heraldry’ is the designing and displaying of coats of arms.

In furthest-from-first (the kindest way of putting it?) position, “Here 4 Beer” did well to know that seatbelts were first installed in cars as standard in 1958. “One Of Us Is Stuck In Rehab” played a carefully considered strategy to finish second-from-bottom and win the bottle of wine, and were very quick to recall the capital of Colombia. Just half a point more, “Just Girls”, after a bit of intra-team discord, were correct in knowing that komodo dragons are from Indonesia.

Power couple “Thin Quizzy” won the night’s points-per-person award and deciphered the Sweeney Todd badly-described film plot question well. Ahead of them, “Chilli Con Carney” were sharp on the German alphabet DITLOID and knew that it was Shakespeare who invented the girls’ name Jessica. “None Of Your F**king Quizness” matched them on points and impressed many by knowing that the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666.

Just beyond them was another tie, “Fishermen’s Friends” and “Two Hand Job” both delivering solid quizzes, both recognised Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks painting correctly and knowing that Edson Arantes do Nascimento is better known as Pele. A few points more came “The Pro Rogues” who identified the Slovenia silhouette quickly and showed good knowledge of piano pedals.

Earning bronze, “Barbara” was the only team to know what a ‘jerboa’ is (small jumping rodent from Australia), aided by a team member who had come all the way from Tasmania to join us. Tied with them, “Spicy Party Soup” was also unique – the only team to get the face split of Ninja the South African rapper and Bob Odenkirk the American actor. Unbelievable scenes. Taking silver, another superb performance by “Straight Outta Brompton”, who got 3-from-3 on the cartoon characters and the cryptic tube stations. Out in front, however, “Pass The Duchy” got 3-from-3 on the Beach Boys lyrics and film posters. Truly jaw-dropping stuff. The £40 bar tab was hard-earned.

“One Of Us Is Stuck In Rehab” – having already won the wine – but were hungry for the cash jackpot, which stood at a weighty £135. Getting the closest answer to the fastest time taken to run the marathon while doing football keepy-uppies (5hr 41mins!!!), they found themselves the emoji envelopes. Selecting the wrong one (or the right one if, in fact, they wanted to win a lemon), the cash alluded them. Close to £200 up for grabs next week. You’ve got to be in it to win it though. See you there. I mean, what else might you be doing? Playing Monopoly with the Royal Family. Well, I think not as apparently they are not allowed to. Ironic really given the amount of property the Crown owns! God save the Queen. #onlytheduchyarmshastheanswer