Defending champions Prempeh College began their defence with a speckless performance to bundle St. Francis Xavier and Saviour SHS out of the 2018 National Science and Maths Quiz.

Prempeh College had waited 16 days to start the contest as they became the last elite school to start their campaign as a seeded school.

They faced a St. Francis Xavier side that raised hairs after they defeated Pope Johns SHS in the preliminary round to solidify a reputation to be feared in the competition.

But in the end, it was a contest that was defunct of any nerve-racking moment as Prempeh College ensure the contest had the value of a warm-up match ahead of bigger challenges.

First Round: Prempeh College 23pts; St. Francis Xavier 09pts; Saviour SHS 03pts.

And so the second round began with the champions holding a 14 point lead, stretching it to 33 points at the end of the contest.

End of contest: Prempeh College: 62pts St. Francis Xavier: 29pts Saviour SHS: 18pts.

After a weak start, Francis Xavier finally matched Prempeh College in the Third Round also known as the 'Problem of the Day'. The two scools got maximum 10points after solving their questions perfectly.  Saviour SHS had a point to nick. Their qualification from the preliminary stage to this one-eight stage for the first timers appeared to be a good show enough.

But Prempeh College begins a campaign from where St. Francis Xavier and Saviour SHS end. Indeed the Prempeh College team had the luxury of smiling when they missed the correct answer in rare moments. 

They had the support of the 2017 winners Daniel and Wonder in the auidence

WATCH: NSMQ 2018 - AM Show on JoyNews