Approaching the season’s half-way point, all three contenders for the Premiership crown boast identical win-loss records.

Each has now claimed five victories and suffered one reverse. Consequently, at this stage, they are separated purely by their sheer weight of scoring. Having amassed at least 80 points in all of their games bar one, the Plough (Wolvercote) resides at the top, their latest run fest, to borrow a cricketing analogy, coming at the expense of the Royal Sun (Begbroke); the score being 86-59.

By all accounts, the quiz was a toughie, yet the match provided the highest overall aggregate.

Whilst the Plough were going about their business in the usual manner, stablemates the Ploughman’s Bunch!, encountered a stiffer task away to the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon). The home side shaded three of the seven rounds, and even had the audacity to open up a six point advantage. However, the Bunch! are a resilient lot and eventually overpowered their opponents, 73-60. In their comments to me, the Bunch! gave special commendation to the question reader. Not much credit is given to these people who give up their evening to provide entertainment for others, so well done the Bunch! for your favourable remarks.

Completing the results involving the Premier Division’s triumvirate, Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ (Oxford City) overcame Section One front runners, the Green Road Club (Kidlington),, 76-66.

In contrast, Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’ were brought back to earth following their opening success of the campaign over the Black Swan. The Seacourt Bridge (Botley) was in a rampant mood, despatching ‘the Young ‘Uns’ 78-44.

The Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) experienced a wretched Winter League, but are turning their form around. After a few narrow defeats against quality opposition, they last week overturned another, the White Hart (Eynsham), by 69-56.

The North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) returned to winning ways after being edged out by the Plough in their previous match. In the lively atmosphere of the Black Swan, the visitors held their nerve to post a 75-63 victory.