In early January, the Winter League’s Music Tabletop was held to great acclaim by all who attended, in particular for the innovative way in which it was presented. This included the notable absence of a Question Master.

On that memorable occasion the Royal Blenheim ‘A’ (Oxford City) were the clear winners with fellow Premiership outfit the Plough (Wolvercote) second and the hosts, the Green Road Club (Kidlington), sneaking into third.

At the same venue last Thursday, with the same theme reprised, the Royal Blenheim (no ‘A’ this time due to the unfortunate demise of their B side The Young ’Uns), replete with such distinguished performers as the Ben Stokes doppelganger, Nick the Thesp, Doc and the wife as well as that legend in his own parish, the Vicar, repeated their heroics, and in equally convincing style, racking up 191 points – 13 ahead of the home unit with the White Hart (Eynsham) completing the podium positions with 171.

Sadly (for them anyway), the Plough finished a lowly sixth, a point behind their arch-nemesis and fellow housemate the Ploughman’s Bunch.

Quite rightly, a sharp rebuke was pinged this way from Vince, former skipper of the Bletchingdon Nomads, correcting me for brazenly stating that his team had yet to put one over any team from the Premier Division.

He reports that on June 26, 2014, they edged out Royal Blenheim 76-75 at their gaff, a historical moment they still relive when life is not treating them quite so well.

Perhaps like last Thursday when they finished bottom of the pile – a full 41 points adrift of Ben and his mates!

This week witnesses the return to regular league action and the Nomads have an excellent opportunity to get their Section One championship aspirations back on track as they visit the luckless Seacourt Bridge (Botley), who are reeling from eight straight defeats.

Presented with a similar title challenging opportunity, the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) face a much sterner examination, however, as they entertain the Plough.

Still, with the pre-season signing of Hayesy, former gang master of The Young ’Uns, they can at least field five around the table!

The game of the day could well be that in Summertown where the Con Club, who have been blowing a little hot and cold of late, will play host to Trevor the Speller et al of the White Hart, who are currently on a very hot streak.

A win for either could potentially send them second in Division One.

Newbies to summer quizzing, the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), visit the Royal Sun (Begbroke), while the Bell (Lower Heyford) host Blenheim and Captain Conway and his troops go to the Ploughman’s Bunch.

JAMES CARR'S QUESTIONS

1. From the lyrics provided identify the song from the Great American Songbook ‘So while there’s music and moonlight and love and romance’.

2. Which group, with seven, had the most UK Number 1 hits of the 1970s? 

3. Identify the opera – Act 3 – ‘On the banks of the Nile, near the Temple of Isis’? 

4. Which singer, with 17, has won more Brit Awards than any other performer?

Answers: 1. Let’s face the music and dance; 2. Abba; 3. Aida; 4. Robbie Williams.