Combatants were set a ‘toughie’ last week but often it’s the low-scoring affairs which provide the most exciting contests.

So it proved, with seven matches being settled on the last questions. In one of these, newcomers the Highwayman (Kidlington) bagged their first win, defeating Oxford Division pacesetters, the Black Swan, 47-46. Nonetheless, the East Oxford outfit remain top following defeats for closest rivals, the Green Road Club (Kidlington), who succumbed narrowly to the Hatchet (Childrey) 56-59; and the Seacourt Bridge (Botley), who lost a thriller (51-53) at home to the Green Dragon (Haddenham).

Meanwhile, the North Oxford Conservative Club ended a series of three successive losses in edging a thriller at the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), 59-54, while the ‘basement’ battle saw the Royal Sun (Begbroke) overtake the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) after pipping them 54-50 in another pulsating tussle.

In what this column billed as ‘one to watch’, the Rock of Gibraltar (Enslow Bridge) v Plough (Wolvercote) ‘match-up’ lived up to its billing but not for the reason expected.

Far from being the predicted close game, the champions racked up a massive 85 points against the recently-rejuvenated ‘Rock’, 21 more than the next highest total of the evening!

It was not enough to lift them off the foot of the Premier Section, although they have moved closer to the Bell (Grove), who went down 54-60 at the Six Bells (Headington). The Chester Arms maintained their league leadership after overwhelming the Eight Bells (Long Crendon), 64-45.

Despite the setback for the ‘Rock’, they stay in control of the North Division following defeats for all their title rivals.

By contrast, in the West Division, all five challengers notched up victories, the Windrush Club (Witney) retaining their lead after beating the Sun Inn (Hook Norton), 57-42. The White Hart (Eynsham) remain hot on their heels after an impressive win (55-42) at the Crown (Church Enstone), while the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) are lurking in third spot after claiming the scalp of the Gatehanger’s Inn (Ashendon), 65-39. The Woodman (North Leigh) stay fourth after overcoming the Chequers (Chipping Norton), 51-39.

Completing this week’s round-up, in the East Division, the Green Dragon roars on. Six wins from as many games sees them move six points clear; the King’s Arms’ (Wheatley) triumph over the Chandos Arms (Oakley) in another nail biter, 54-52, proving the sole success among the Haddenham team’s fellow contenders. With just over a third of the campaign gone the ‘Dragon’ are already looking well-set to claim the title, but the quest for honours in the other four sections could go to the wire.

This Thursday witnesses the final round of league matches before a well-earned Christmas break.

Questions supplied by James Carr.