MEASURED against any yardstick, the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) have experienced a wretched season.

In their league campaign they managed to lose all 12 of their matches, and they were never in serious contention in any of the themed Tabletops in which they participated.

Whilst there may be many plausible reasons for this drop-off in form, clearly the loss of two long-serving team members has left a void which has proved difficult to fill. However, there is plenty of admiration out there for the remaining players to have kept the side going. It is in honour of their two former comrades that the winner’s silverware for the final Tabletop of the season, held on presentation night, is named: The Janet Priest/Laurence Stevens Memorial Trophy.

How fitting then that last Thursday, at the North Oxford Conservative Club, and with all the Premier and Section One sides competing, the Gardener’s Arms barnstormed their way to a win, amassing a total of 259 points, four clear of three teams in joint second place, namely; the Green Road Club (Kidlington), the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) and the White Hart (Eynsham).

It was a marvellous sight to witness this Memorial Cup being handed over to the overjoyed Gardener’s captain and her victorious team-mates.

These events brought the curtain down on another Summer League, one in which the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote) finally won the Premier division crown, and the North Oxford Con Club broke the Green Road’s hearts with a momentous last-gasp effort allowing them to successfully defend their Section One title.

All participants now have a brief respite until October 18 when they will be joined by a dozen or so more teams from around Oxfordshire to contest the Winter Leagues.

It will be good to renew hostilities with some old foes and, just as significantly, sample the wonderful hospitality at some of the great pubs in our county.

Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the following; the Oxford Mail for the column inches and advertising they afford us, as well as the funds for our cups and medals; the North Oxford Con Club and the Kidlington Green Social Club for hosting the Tabletops; the landlords and stewards who provide the playing facilities; and James Carr for supplying the questions which are of the highest and most consistent standard.