We held our eagerly anticipated 18th Wakefield MAG Biker Quiz Nite on Tuesday 29th November, in our HQ, the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield. We were very pleased to welcome along 17 quiz contestants, who formed multiple teams representing Leeds & Bradford MAG and Wakefield MAG.
This year we changed the quiz format slightly, with a picture round of 20 questions, 25 bike related questions (but with one of the questions having 5 answers) and 20 general knowledge. The total possible score was however still 60. After collecting the entry fees and issuing the answer sheets, pens and the picture round questions, Steve the Quiz Master started around quarter past 8 with the first set of 5, all about current British motorcycle marques and models, then 5 general knowledge covered by Chas our 2nd Quiz Master, then 5 more bike questions, 5 general knowledge and so on. We took a short 'recharge your glasses' beer break after 50 questions, then continued until all the questions had been asked, including clarification of some of the questions (always a few of those).
Some of the questions this year really tested the grey matter, but if it's too easy, it's not worth winning is it ? Others were more obvious, but not sufficiently so, thus causing lots of self doubt and team debate (so many correct answers were subsequently crossed out and replaced with an incorrect one - always frustrating when that happens, and of course, the guilty party always gets the venomous blame from their team mates).
In our break, we also sold tickets for our forthcoming Christmas raffle.
Time then to swap the papers with your neighbouring team ready for marking. We then went through the question answers, had the inevitable scrabble for ½ points for partially correct answers, the scores were then totted up, papers were swapped back and we had a run down to find out who had won.
1st place, with 36½ points, was Leeds MAG Team A, just for a change ;-)
Leeds MAG have a bit of a history with this quiz, having won it outright thirteen times previously (2004-2007 & 2012-2019 & 2021) & coming second twice (2008 & 2009). Being outright winners, Team Captain Manny got the choice of the beer related prizes (opting for the case of Brewdog Lager) and also got to retain the champions trophy.
Continuing our count down, Leeds MAG's 'B' team bagged 2nd place with 35 points. Team Captain Marcus duly collected the team 2nd prize, a case of Carling.
Third place went to a Wakefield MAG team (we had to do really, Leeds MAG had run out of teams by this point LOL), on 27 points, with Team Captain Martin collecting the third prize, a case of Carlsberg.
Finally, it was time to determine that equally highly contested prize (and the only one worth winning in the Quiz Masters opinion) - the coveted 'Fat Bird on a Scooter' Booby Prize trophy for coming last. We started the count backwards from zero to 10, then 11 to 20, and the winner of the booby prize, with 18½ points, was the Wakefield MAG 'B' team, with Team Captain Pete collecting the prize of a four pack of Morrison's Saver lager (there is more alcohol in tap water than this budget brew LOL). To be fair, this team had only two members, whereas most other teams had four, so it was actually quite a respectable score.
A huge thanks to everyone who attended the Wakefield MAG Quiz. I think it's fair to say we all had a scream. Congratulations to all teams, it was a brilliant night and a good time was had by all. Educational and fun (why couldn't school have been like this ?!?!!?).
The quiz returned a small loss after the cost of the prizes had been deducted, as numbers were down on years. However, we sold lots of Christmas raffle tickets, all of which goes towards the MAG Fighting fund, so all swings and roundabouts in the grand scheme of things.
The prestigious roll of honour now is:
Leeds MAG have now achieved the accolade of winning the quiz ten years in succession, a hugely impressive achievement.
A few closing words from Manny the Leeds and Bradford MAG Rep: "It's with immense pride that the Leeds and Bradford MAG 'A' team won the Wakey MAG biker quiz tonight. During 13 years as LABMAG rep we've contested the Wakefield MAG biker quiz every year that it's been run and I can retire as a MAG rep with a record of winning ten years on the bounce as team captain. I wouldn't have done this without Keith, Dave, Gavin and a few others that have helped along the way. The LABMAG 'B' team ran us a close second and I feel that this is the perfect time to retire the Leeds and Bradford MAG 'A' team, undefeated under my watch."