We are a constituent part of the Merseyside Quiz League and presently have 31 teams playing throughout the Wirral.

The Merseyside Quiz Leagues, founded in 1959, are the largest independent quiz leagues in the world. In the 2006/2007 season there were approximately 180 teams competing. Teams compete in their own section of the league, so that travelling distances are kept to a minimum, however there are also opportunities to enter Merseyside-wide competitions.

You can have a look at the websites of our friends "over the water" by clicking on the buttons on the right of this page.

Teams represent pubs or clubs and have either Monday or Tuesday as their home match night.

The Commitment

The league season runs from September to March with matches played on a home and away basis. The starting time for matches is 9 pm. Each league either during and/or at the end of the league season run cup competitions some of which are handicap competitions.

Teams consist of 4 players, but to form a team you need a squad of about 6 people, not only to cover occasional unavailability of players, but also as home teams provide officials such as question person, scorer and timekeeper. After the match which lasts approximately 30 minutes, it is customary for the home team to provide light refreshments (sandwiches), a drink for their opposite number and a 'friendly' quiz. The only other major requirement is one set of questions from each team for matches to be played in other areas during the following season.

Quiz nights are an enjoyable social occasion - you meet old friends as well as new players and you have the opportunity to sample the wares of a variety of clubs and pubs throughout the Wirral.

The Format

Quizzes consist of 8 rounds each of 8 questions. Each player is asked a question in turn - he/she may attempt an answer for 2 points - a failure to answer a question or an incorrect answer means that the question is then thrown open to the rest of his/her team for 1 point. If they fail to answer or are incorrect then the opposition are given an opportunity to answer correctly for 1 bonus point.

The Standard

Questions vary in difficulty and cover a wide variety of topics but are designed to be answered! Here are some samples from two of last season's quizzes - answers at the bottom of the page.

1. Ironbridge, the first iron bridge, constructed between 1777 and 1779, spans which river?
2. What was the name of the satirical TV programme, which ran from 1979 to 1988, and which featured Pamela Stephenson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys-Jones and Rowan Atkinson?
3. On which African River is the Aswan Dam?
4. Which Nazi war criminal was hanged in Tel Aviv on 31st May 1962?
5. What name is given to the side of a ship sheltered from the wind?
6. From what is the brandy 'Calvados' made?
7. How many players on the field in an American Baseball Team?
8. What is the State Capital of the American State of Illinois?
9. If you were celebrating your Pearl Wedding Anniversary, for how many years have you been married?
10. Which vegetable has varieties called Nevada and Snow Cap?
11. What is the SI unit of energy?
12. "The course of love never did run smooth" is a quotation from which Shakespeare play?

There's no doubt that playing quiz league matches as well as being fun will both greatly improve your general knowledge and enhance your chances of scooping the prizes in fun and pub quizzes and maybe even on television (as quite a few MQL players can testify)!

Who to contact?

If you would like further information or would like to join the quiz league either as an individual in 2007/2008 or as a team for the 2008/2009 season click on this link to send an email to Wirral Quiz Secretary

NB Although the league season doesn't start until September, teams have to be registered early to allow fixtures to be made and the fixtures handbooks prepared.

Entry fees are currently £40 per season per team.

Answers

1. The Severn
2. Not The Nine O'Clock News
3. The Nile
4. Adolph Eichmann
5. The Lee-side
6. Apples
7. Nine
8. Springfield
9. 30 Years
10. Cauliflower
11. Joule
12. A Midsummer Night's Dream

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