LAST Thursday witnessed the final round of league fixtures before the traditional fortnight festive break.

There will be just enough time left to squeeze in the Sport Tabletop in two days’ time before all participants relax and enjoy their hard-earned rest.

When the new year dawns and hostilities recommence, the Royal Blenheim (Oxford City) will occupy pole position in the Premiership. They made it five wins from five starts, the one remaining team in any section with a 100 per cent success rate, after sweeping aside the challenge of the Black Swan (East Oxford) 85-54.

Close on the heels of the Blenheim sits the defending champions, the Plough (Wolvercote). Their trip to Oakley was suitably rewarded but hosts, the Chandos Arms, proved belligerent opponents and the 79-64 scoreline suggests it was a decent contest.

Much the same could be written of the tie involving the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote) and the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown). The highest scoring match of the night ended 87-70 in favour of the Bunch! and deservedly so, but there was not a lot in it – just a couple of points each round.

In the North, the Bletchingdon Nomads returned to winning ways after their trek to Chipping Norton ended with a 73-64 victory over the Blue Boar Bees. This result leaves the Nomads top of the table.

Occupying the runners-up berth in this division is surprise package of the season, the Chequers (Chipping Norton). They edged a thriller at the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) 61-59 and will be doubtless brimful of confidence when they visit the Nomads next time out.

With the White Hart (Eynsham) treated to a bye, the Windrush Club (Witney) took full advantage of their absence to take the lead in the West by seeing off Sun Inn (Hook Norton), 77-62.

Reigning title-holders the Royal Sun (Begbroke) grabbed their second scalp of the campaign when overcoming Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) 80-68, while the Woodman (North Leigh) cling on to the coat-tails of the frontrunners after upsetting the Bell (Lower Heyford) 62-42.

Following two defeats, it was business as usual for the Green Road Club (Kidlington).

They beat the Eight Bells (Long Crendon) 80-65 to regain control of the East.

JAMES CARR'S QUESTIONS

* Which country’s flag depicts two crossed olive branches? 
* What was the name of the ranch featured in the TV western series Bonanza? 
* Who was the captain of the South African team that won the Rugby Union World Cup on home soil in 1995? 
* Name the Conservative politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove since 2010 and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills since May 2015? 

Answers: Cyprus; Ponderosa; Francois Piennaar; Sajid Javid