The quiz’s oldest rivalry had another chapter in July. Cobley Wanderers won, and Friends of Maddie finished second.

It was the Wanderers’ twelfth win and their second of 2025, which put them level with Bow Barkers and Friends of Maddie for the year. Nobody was running away with 2025.

By the numbers

When these two finish first and second, it’s usually the Wanderers on top. July made it 8 to 4 in their favour, and gave Friends of Maddie their eleventh second place, more than any other team.

12
wins for Cobley Wanderers, out of 29 quizzes
8–4
Wanderers’ lead when they and Friends of Maddie finish first and second
11
second places for Friends of Maddie, the most of any team
3
teams tied on two wins each in 2025

A flavour of the questions

July had a summer alphabet special, a round of words ending in type, a superheroes round and a round of seconds. The picture round was stars of the comics, from Roger the Dodger and Beryl the Peril to Lord Snooty.

  • General knowledgeWhat is ERNIE, the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment, used for?
    Answer: Premium Bonds. The machine is on version 5 now.
  • General knowledgeWhat game involved rolling a bonce?
    Answer: Marbles. A bonce is a large marble.
  • Summer alphabet specialWhich British attraction is 158 metres tall?
    Answer: Blackpool Tower
  • Summer alphabet specialWhich beach town is beset by the shark in Jaws?
    Answer: Amity Island
  • TypicalWhich early photographic process from the 1830s used a silvered copper plate?
    Answer: The daguerreotype
  • SecondsWhat was Disney’s second animated feature film, after Snow White?
    Answer: Pinocchio
  • TriviaSince 1984, the Poet Laureate’s salary has once again included a quantity of which drink?
    Answer: Sherry
  • TriviaWhat do the Spanish traditionally eat 12 of at midnight on New Year’s Eve, one per chime?
    Answer: Grapes

The wipeout round was Olivers, Olivias and thereabouts, from Oliver Reed to Ollie Watkins, with Oliver’s Army thrown in for good measure. Then came the traditional final question, which everyone pretended to find difficult.

The music round: comedians

Billed as Sounds Funny: ten clips, one point for naming the comedian. Some were instantly recognisable from a single catchphrase. Just like that.

  • Ricky Gervais
  • Frankie Howerd
  • Tommy Cooper
  • Peter Kay
  • Lenny Henry
  • Paul Whitehouse
  • Rik Mayall
  • Alexei Sayle
  • Ronnie Barker
  • Eric Morecambe

And finally

Next up was August, and a picture round that one team in particular was born for.

Every question from the night is in the questions archive, every winner is on the monthly winners board, and there are more photos in the gallery.