Wirral Quiz League

Details of the second season of MQL Online can be found on the MQL website at MQL Online - Merseyside Quiz Leagues

The first fixture will be played on 18th January.

Wirral Quiz Leagues is sad to announce the death of Malcolm Charles, secretary of Scumbag College, almost a year since his colleague, Anna Torpey, succumbed to cancer.

Malcolm died in his sleep on Monday 7th December.

An alumnus of Rock Ferry High School, Malcolm started his working life as a chemist at Lever Brothers but, by his early twenties, determined to pursue a career in teaching. Trained at Chester College, he first worked at Henry Meoles School, Wallasey. There he became an invaluable member of staff, not only because of his empathy with the pupils but his knowledge of science and his willingness to involve himself in every aspect of the school life.

A keen sportsman, Malcolm played amateur football to a high standard and, whilst Henry Meoles, contributed to staff cricket and rugby.

In 1982, Malcolm became Head of Chemistry at St. Mary’s College, Wallasey, a position he occupied until his retirement in 2010. In that time, he involved himself in annual trips abroad and his worked as Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, as well as organising staff quizzes.

It was as a member of Wallasey Cricket Club that he became involved in the quizzes which were to consume the next thirty-five years of his life. Initially, as the leading man at W.C.C., and latterly, as Scumbag College, Malcolm developed that characteristic wry humour and encylopedic knowledge which everyone knew and loved. Malcolm was a polymath, but wore his gifts lightly. A fiercely intelligent man, he would logically pursue an argument with whimsy and humour, but still not lose his thread. The Quiz League will mourn his passing and our sincere condolences extend to his wife, Helen, and his two children, Julia and Nick.

May he rest in peace.

Our condolences go out to Geoff's family and friends.

Congratulations to PAM BAKER who has won the Andrea Jones trophy as the player with the highest 2 point average in division 2. In a very close battle against Mike McDonough she pulled away with 2 matches remaining and won the trophy by just four 2 point questions. Steve Lomas placed third.

The Martin Penderghast trophy is yet to be decided because of the postponement between Oxton and Gladly Stoned. Wayne Shaw will retain the trophy (dedicated to his late teammate) unless Jim Eccleson scored 4 more 2s than him in the replayed match.

The division 2 individual table is final but there are still 4 more matches to be completed in division 1 and that table will not be finalised until those matches are replayed following the Coronavirus crisis.

The following statement has gone live on the MQL website, please read.

In response to the increasing effects of the Coronavirus outbreak the MQL make the following statement;

From 16 March 2020

1. Any remaining individual matches in the Leagues may be completed by the mutual agreement of the teams involved taking into consideration the teams, the venue, the proximity of seating, etc.

2. No team is under any obligation to play a match. Should a team wish to withdraw they may do so without reproach. They should inform their League Secretary, their opposition and if necessary, their venue. If a trophy, title, promotion or relegation depends upon the outcome of the match then it may be postponed until after the current situation is resolved, otherwise the match may be declared a draw. Teams will all be asked to keep the question sets secure.

3. Feeny / Rendon Cups to be postponed.

4. A decision about the Liverpool/Wirral Riley Cup (due to start on Monday 30 March) to be made by Sunday 22 March (Advisory).

5. The Merseyside Mimir heats (Wednesday 18 March) to be postponed.

6. The MQL Finals and Presentation Evening (Wednesday 13 May) to be postponed as should any League Presentations and end of season events.

7. The holding of the MQL AGM (Sunday 5 April) to be suspended until a time when a conventional face to face meeting may be held. In the meantime the President, Chairman, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer will consult in order to make such plans that are necessary for setting up the 2020-21 Season.

These decisions have been made bearing in mind that at all times the health of players (and their families) is paramount.

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If any teams wish to cancel/postpone their matches for Monday or Tuesday then please let the league know. All cancelled matches will be called a 0-0 draw except for the following 5 matches which will impact upon trophies promotion or relegation, they will be replayed once the current situation has passed.

Div 1
Oxton v Gladly Stoned
Gasworks v Beb Hockey
Hoylake v Clarence
Plasterers v Brewers (already postponed)

Div 2
Taxes v Roundheads

In addition, the below matches also have a significant effect on the handicap league and/or the individual trophies and therefore it would be preferable if they were played out.

Extras v Scumbag College

Wallaseyans v Toulouse Le Plot

Aarvarks v Early Doors

Browns v Nelsons

Soapsuds v Shipwrecked

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Some very sad news, Anna Torpey of Scumbag College has passed away. Her teammates have written the following obituary and it has been proposed that the new Handicap Competition trophy be named in her memory. Wirral Quiz League offer our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and teammates.

Anna Torpey was a rare member of the Wirral quiz community.

First, she was female. Secondly, she delighted in specialising in such low-brow topics as 'Big Brother' and 'X-Factor' and, finally, she was significantly below the average age of fellow quizzers.

Blessed with talent, intelligence, social skills, a fabulous family and a musical gift, she also had a very sharp wit accompanied by a dry sense of humour. Sadly, her gifts could not help her with her battle with cancer which she lost on Friday, 20th December, 2019.

Anna played for Wallasey Cricket Club quiz team from 2012 and its later incarnation, Scumbag College, in Wirral division 1, However, her poor health prevented her from making any appearances this season.

She had effectively concealed her illness for several years, so much so that opposition players were genuinely surprised when told of the reason for her absence this season. She was always gratified by the good wishes that so many teams passed to her via her team members.

A former pupil of St Mary's College, Wallasey and a graduate of St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University, she had myriad interests. Her musical contributions to her church and local community, as well as local primary schools, were legion. In addition, Anna was a question-setter for a wide variety of subjects on BBC's ‘Mastermind’, a programme she appeared in the final in 2008.

A singular and idiosyncratic thinker, she had trenchant opinions, but was always willing to discuss and debate rather than hector or harangue. Her humanity, decency and sincerity were obvious to all, and she will be sorely missed.

Our condolences go out to her husband, Chris, and their three children, Jude, Ted and Jean.

There is a generous proposal to dedicate the new Handicap Quiz Trophy to her honour and memory and this gesture is regarded warmly and graciously by her fellow team members.

Two Wirral Teams, and several other Wirral players took part in the second annual MQL Buzzer Tournament, which took place in Liverpool on 12th October.  Twenty teams from around the country took part and you can watch the final, between the Lancaster and Ormskirk Quiz League side below.

The early season fixtures have been uploaded to the Fixture Calendar - the season's complete fixtures will be available in the handbooks, to be passed out at Presentation Night on 29th September.

The annual Liverpool pairs competition took place at APH on Presentation Night - 13th May 2019. Both Pam Baker (Soapsuds) and Jon Stitcher (Plasterer's Arms) made and appearance in the final stages.

Last year's winners, Mark Kerr and Jim Toal, set both the written qualifying quiz and the knockout final rounds.