WITH the destination of the silverware in both the Premiership and Section One having been decided in previous weeks, it was very much a crossing of the t’s and a dotting of the i’s in the closing round of league fixtures.

The only side in action from the top division was the Royal Blenheim (Oxford City). Two of their four reverses this campaign have come at the hands of opponents from the level below and here they were up against one of the best from that pool, the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade). However, in the highest scoring contest of the evening, they managed to avoid yet another banana skin and enjoyed their short trek home having seen off their ever genial hosts, 70-63.

Despite finishing a proverbial ‘country mile’ behind the newly-crowned champions in Section One – the Green Road Club (Kidlington) – the runners-up berth was ample reward for the Gardener’s Arms as they appear to have successfully rebuilt their team following the tragic loss of a couple of key players in recent years.

On the subject of rebuilding, they may only be laying the shallowest of footings, but after 12 straight defeats, the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) have reversed the trend with back to back victories, this latest by overcoming the Black Swan (East Oxford), 68-61.

Success in this ‘Basement Battle’ also ensured they leapfrogged their vanquished foe, thereby condemning Captain Conway and his motley crew to last place in the table. Rumours abound that the Captain is ‘bigging up’ his gang’s chances in the forthcoming winter jamboree. We’ll have to wait and see...

The now-deposed champs in Section One, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), concluded their campaign with a visit to the pre-tournament favourites, the Royal Sun (Begbroke).

With the sides level after round one, in a dead rubber lacking any real pizzazz, the home outfit then edged ahead, maintained their advantage and eventually won 68-59.

Fifth spot overall is a little disappointing for the Royal Sun, especially as the Royal Blenheim counted for one of their seven scalps but, with the dawn of a fresh challenge, they will be eager to bounce back as they now go in search of their third consecutive title in the West.

Finally, the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), aka ‘The Busby Babes’, completed their first foray into summer quizzing by getting the better of visitors, the Bell (Lower Heyford). Their 58-51 win was their third and perhaps most telling as they are set to meet the same opposition a couple more times in the months to come.

This Thursday we celebrate Finals Night followed by a fortnight break and then the commencement of the Winter Leagues in late October.

If you would like to enter a team, visit the website at oxfordshirequizleague.co.uk or drop me an email to quinnd@hotmail.co.uk

JAMES CARR'S QUESTIONS

1. Which European landlocked state lost its status of being the world’s smallest republic, in 1968?

2. Who was the last King of England to be born outside of the United Kingdom?

3. In the 2014 Commonwealth Games, rhythmic gymnastics was one of two sports exclusively for women. What was the other?

4. Which Steven Spielberg film that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, was the first film to take more than $100 million at the box office?

ANSWERS
1 San Marino, 2 George II, 3 Netball, 4 Jaws