No question about Perse quiz team’s Schools’ Challenge success

The Perse Years 7 and 8 quiz team made it double general knowledge success for the school this year after winning the Junior Schools’ Challenge crown.

Captained by Jacqueline (Year 7) and featuring Elliot, Harry (both Year 8) and Buddhan (Year 7), the team claimed the illustrious title in the national finals at The Hall School just a week after the team of Benjamin (captain), Alexander, William (all Year 9) and Lynden (Year 10) earned the Intermediate Schools’ Challenge honour.

They came up against a strong King Edward’s School Birmingham side in the quarter-finals, but came through to win 530-430, before impressively coming from 200-50 down in the semi-finals as they beat Stewart’s Melville College 690-290.

In the final, the team faced Hilden Grange School and in a close-fought quiz, they kept their cool in sweltering temperatures to prevail 560-450 and earn The Perse the Junior title for the 10th time.

Perse general knowledge co-ordinator Fred Jayatilaka said: “It was great to add the junior title to the intermediate one. The team was great all day, competing in the right spirit. I was particularly impressed that they came from behind in the semi-final, as often teams get disheartened and lose focus. It was so hot that they did well to stay calm.”