SETTING aside the absolute thumping they were dealt by the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote) in Round Three, the Black Swan (East Oxford) has made a great start to the winter campaign.

Last Thursday, matched up with the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), they racked up win number four in what proved to be the highest scoring encounter of the night.

Their 83-80 success was secured on the final question of an enthralling contest as they correctly identified Bubba Watson as the bearer of the Green Jacket in this year’s US Masters.

Having competed against Cap’n Conway’s charges a good few times including Thursday, I can safely say this is one of the better units he has assembled, and stronger with Frank the Kerryman in the line-up.

Leaders in the East, marginally ahead of the Black Swan, are the King’s Arms. They recovered from defeat seven days earlier to see off a resolute and determined Royal Blenheim ‘B’ (Oxford City) 79-66. This Wheatley outfit have picked off some decent teams to date and if they can keep their collective nerve could be in the mix at the business end of proceedings.

Their main danger could well be the Eight Bells (Long Crendon). Back to back setbacks in their opening two games have been trumped by three straight victories, their latest a nail-biting 75-71 defeat of the White Hart (Eynsham).

Matters in the West are just as competitive. The Windrush Club (Witney) stays top after overcoming the Sun (Hook Norton) while the Royal Sun (Begbroke) remains in hot pursuit after a convincing 82-67 against the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon), having their first loss.

Just creeping into the frame is the Green Road Club (Kidlington). Their much-needed 81-64 triumph over the Chandos Arms (Oakley) has elevated them to fourth.

The Blue Boar Bees (Chipping Norton) continued the stoic defence of their title in the North. Narrowly beaten by Premiership favourites the Plough the week before, they brushed off the challenge of the gallant Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) 83-72.

Possibly the unluckiest side at present is the Woodman (North Leigh). A harsh fixture schedule has meant two duels with Premier Section big boys, with further heartache in the most recent as they were cruelly edged out 71-69 by the Royal Blenheim ‘A’.

The Plough maintained their 100 per cent record in sailing past the Chequers (also ‘Chippy’) 90-68, and a similar outcome in two days against the Con Club will see them carry their unbeaten sequence into 2015. Meanwhile their stablemate, the Ploughman’s Bunch!, overwhelmed the Seacourt Bridge (Botley), 87-71. The Bunch! pulled away in the second half, prompting landlord and Chelsea fanatic Tim B to proudly boast ‘….another clean sweep for the Plough and Bunch! and Chelsea’.

This was, of course, before Saturday!