Wirral Quiz League

QITV are working on a brand new BBC1 quiz show and are looking for great contestants. They'd love to hear from some quiz enthusiasts so if you, or any of your fellow quizzers would be interested in the chance to win a cash prize then you can apply via the link below:

Apply for The Tournament

Unfortunately there is currently no way of coming in and out of the application once you've started it so, if you do want to apply, please do answer as many questions as you can until you get to the end. If you have any issues with the application then drop them a line.

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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Everyone at the Wirral Quiz League would like to offer our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Dave Rainford of Eggheads fame who has sadly passed away.

Dave was one of the nicest people you could meet and always had a kind word of encouragement for anyone starting out on their quizzing journey. He was not an MQL member but he attended Quiz in the North events in Liverpool and Hoylake and was a member of the Rochdale team that reached the Plate final of the MQL buzzer quiz in 2019. He will be sorely missed.

Congratulations to Toulouse Le Plot who have sealed the Division one title with 3 matches to spare. This is their first win since 2016 (when they were known as Not Forthcoming). Their quest for a perfect season has unfortunately come to an end but all at the Wirral Quiz League wish to congratulate them on a superb season.

The Division two title is likely to come down to the final game.

What an incredible night at the Wirral heats of the Mimir! We had 22 players attending which was the most of any of the Merseyside areas and our final was won by just 1 point! 

Congratulations to Karl Whelan for winning the competition, Jim Eccleson was 2nd and Mike Greatbatch 3rd. The other qualifers for finals night are Sam Roberts, Peter Ferret, Dave Ryan and Chris Weston with Jon Stitcher as first reserve

Below are full results for every match

Preliminary round 1 - Ormskirk set 1

Quarter final - Southport and Formby set

Chris Weston won the heat after a play off(2-1-1), Jon Stitcher came 2nd after the second play off(2-1).

Quarter final - Ormskirk set 2

Sam Roberts came 2nd in the heat after a play off  (3-2)

Semi final - Warrington set

Sam Roberts came 2nd after 3 Tiebreakers and then a nearest the bull question

Final - Liverpool set

The Wirral heats of the MIMIR competition will take place on THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY AT 8PM AT NEW BRIGHTON CRICKET CLUB. All Wirral quiz league players are encouraged to attend. It is a really fun night and the top 7 players on the evening will qualify for the MQL MIMIR event to be held in March. 

If anyone wants to attend but would prefer to officiate than play then please let us know as we always need officials.

Please let Wirral chairman, Jon Stitcher know how many people from your team will be attending, his email address is under contacts. If you have any questions then just get in touch.