Chris Maclean: a quiz 'cheat' scandal

I have no wish to create controversy but there have been allegations of cheating in the quiz league.

This is the first season in which we have participated and therefore understandably were introduced into the league in the second division.

Our team comprises my sister-in-law Rosie, Goose, a gregarious and affable fellow with a good knowledge of sport, Graham, a non-drinking motorbiker, and Pauline, a German teacher whose knowledge is breathtaking.

The first two you can argue are genuine quiz team candidates; locally sourced and with a pub connection. The other two have been cherry-picked from my previous pub and, although their knowledge is outstanding, could be challenged as not in the spirit of the quiz. I hope not.

I hope our team understands the spirit of pub quizzes. I remember a few years ago being telephoned by a licensee who said that our B-team, a team of non-regulars who played under our banner, had spent an evening at his pub, with food, and spent a grand total of £3.82. I was embarrassed.

Our team drink. We have fun. If we lose, no problem. I won't let that happen again. We know the spirit of the quizzes.

But it is clear other pubs don't always abide by this. And some take it too seriously.

A few weeks ago one of the visiting teams had four players and an associate, a friend of theirs, simply sat alongside their table and started contributing answers. It seemed excessive to challenge them but it was embarrassing.

Tuesday's 'cheating' was more typical. It seemed the question master was influential in the answers. Answers tendered as ice dancing or ice skating were dismissed. Correct answer; figure skating. Answers tendered as downhill skiing or ski jumping were ignored as "skiing" was the chosen answer. No discretion was exercised.

It is easy to get picky and claim unfair practices. I want to argue that it doesn't matter; it is a simple quiz and of no consequence.

But we are top of the league. We have a clear points advantage. Promotion is at our feet.

And we will use everything in our power to achieve it.