It is some time since those wizened old heads from the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) picked up divisional honours. I realise we are only two games in, but they have made a bright start to their title pursuit, following up the demolition of Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’ in the opening week with the narrowest of victories, 66-65, over the Black Swan (East Oxford), conquerors last time out of Premier Section side, the Bell (Grove). With a match-up this Thursday against the Chandos Arms (Oakley), these Botley gents will fancy their chances of extending their unbeaten run.

Sharing the lead with the ‘Boys from the Bridge’ atop the Oxford Division is the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), who eventually saw off spirited resistance from the Eight Bells (Long Crendon) to prevail by a flattering 16 point margin, 72-56. That defeat for the Black Swan demoted them to third, just in front of the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade), who were battered 84-55 by the Hatchet (Childrey), and newcomers Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’, who opened their account with a hugely impressive 74-59 dismissal of the experienced King’s Arms (Wheatley). Currently lying pointless at the foot of the section are defending champions, the Green Road Club (Kidlington), but they have had a very tough opening programme, and last Thursday succumbed by the slenderest of margins in losing to the Bell, 77-79.

In the Northern Division success has proved elusive. The only positive result posted so far by any of the combatants was that last week by the Bell (Lower Heyford) in overcoming league rivals the Chequers (Chipping Norton), 63-53.

Participants in the East Division have fared little better with none of them managing to record a victory in week two.

The Premier Section is bubbling up nicely. There is a four way tie for the lead with all involved boasting 100 per cent records.

The Plough (Wolvercote), fresh from their exploits on Only Connect on BBC 4 (falling at the quarter-final hurdle), felled the Woodman (North Leigh) 86-63, whilst their shared tenants, the Ploughman’s Bunch!, overwhelmed the Chandos Arms 88-58. Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ share top billing following their hard-fought 76-64 win over the Green Dragon (Haddenham), as do the Hatchet, who could yet prove the dark horses in the chase for the laurels.

Pre-season, I predicted the West Division would provide the closest of the championship tussles and so it appears.

The Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) maintained their excellent start in taking the scalp of a noticeably lacklustre Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), 73-46, while over in Begbroke, the Royal Sun continued their rich vein of form, overcoming visitors, the Gatehanger’s Inn (Ashendon), 70-52. The White Hart (Eynsham) bounced back from an opening day reverse to upset the Sun (Hook Norton), 69-53, but in perhaps the most eye-catching result of the night, the ever-improving Windrush Club (Witney) convincingly despatched the Crown (Church Enstone), 81 -61.