Magdalen wins University Challenge

Magdalen College triumphed in the 1997 final of University Challenge, presented by Jeremy Paxman, on BBC2 on Wednesday, after a nail-biting finish in which Magdalen scored 250 and Open University 195. On their way to victory, Magdalen College—whose team members all attended state secondary schools—defeated Portsmouth, West of England University, Queen's College, Belfast, and Manchester University. The OU team notched up record scores on its way to the final. The Oxford team line-up (pictured from left) was: captain, Jim Adams (Maths and Philosophy), Colin Andress (Philosophy and Ancient History), Gwilym Thear (English), and Alison Reeves (History). University Challenge producer, Mr Peter Gwyn, said: `Magdalen are a very likeable team and lived up to the spirit of the game. Open were always expected to do well, but they were up against a team who were extremely good.'