Reading triumphs on University Challenge – University of Reading
26 October 2004
The University of Reading team has got off to a roaring start on BBC 2's University Challenge programme with a conclusive first-round victory. Reading overcame St John's College, Cambridge, by 195 points to 70 and even managed to impress the show's irascible host, Jeremy Paxman. They now go on to the second round of the prestigious quiz. The team put on a sterling performance and showed an in-depth knowledge of such diverse subjects as musicals, plants and the internal organs of a rabbit. Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Reading, said: "We're incredibly pleased that the team managed to pull off such a convincing win. They did the University and the people of Reading proud. "After the achievement on Monday's programme, let's hope they can go on to more success in the series." Reading's team consists of: -Paul Bettesworth (captain), from Torquay in Devon. He is studying Land Management. -Sarah Fedorcio, from Maidstone in Kent. She is studying History. -Lydia Massey, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She is studying English and Classics. -Patrick Walsh, from London. He is studying Psychology. End For media enquiries, please contact Craig Hillsley, the University's press officer, on: 0118 378 7388 c.hillsley@rdg.ac.uk