Tamale SHS (Tamasco) qualified for the quarterfinal of the NSMQ for the third time running after surviving a late upset from Ada SHS.

The R.S. Amegashie auditorium at the University of Ghana Business School was thrown into jubilation as Tamasco contestants picked the last riddle of Round Five to stop an upset from Ada SHS Tuesday morning.

The Northern Region-based school came into the contest favourites, being seeded and having one contestant with experience from the 2018 competition.

They, however, struggled to dominate the contest which featured Kadjebi-Asato SHS and Ada SHS.

After Round One, they had an uphill task to complete, being in the last position. That task was completed by the end of the Fourth Round but only just.

Ada SHS had reason to hope although they were seven points behind the leaders, going into the final round.

The first riddle in the round which goes to all contesting schools simultaneously went unanswered.

Then Tamale SHS’s scare begun, Ada picked the second riddle, and then the third.

They were now tied with Kadjebi-Asato on 25 points and only a point behind Tamale SHS, one more correct answer and they would eliminate Tamale SHS.

But after Quiz Mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann read the second clue of the fourth and last riddle; the Tamale SHS contestants rang the bell and put it to chance.

“Yes!” The unmistakable voice of Dr. Kaufmann confirmed quarterfinal participation for the top-dog.

“That was a close shave,” she said adding that “prepare well for the next stage.”