Open University falls at last fence

The all-powerful Open University team suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Magdalen College, Oxford, last night in the final of the latest series of University Challenge.

Many viewers expected the OU team to triumph after they annihilated two previous sides, notching up the highest winning margin in the programme's 27-year history. But they were beaten in the final by 250 points to 195 by a far younger quartet of English, maths and history students. It was a disappointing end for the OU's most experienced panellist, mature student Ida Staples, 72, who helped the team hammer Charing Cross and Westminster School 415-65 (the record) in the semi-final, after out-pointing Swansea 395-85 in the first round.