IN a break from league action last week, 20 teams competed instead for the Dave Jordan Memorial Trophy, held in honour of a past stalwart of what is now the team representing the Green Dragon, Haddenham.

The quiz contained an eclectic mix of subjects, principally rock music, nature, travel and science, reflecting perfectly Dave’s personal tastes and interests.

The event was staged at three different venues across the region, of which one was appropriately in Haddenham. Red-hot favourites to add this ‘Tabletop’ to the numerous ones collected over the last 12 months, Premiership front runner, the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote) made the trip over the border and were duly rewarded by securing this leg albeit by a single point from hosts, the Green Dragon (124-123).

In the north of the county, the Blue Boar Bees (Chipping Norton) continued their excellent early season form by running out winners at the next door neighbours, the Chequers, their total of 113 enabling them to finish three clear of the Woodman (North Leigh) for whom this was a very solid performance indeed. The Sun Inn (Hook Norton) landed a creditable third.

Twelve sides assembled at the Green Road (Kidlington) where, in a hard-fought contest in what was a very exacting quiz, a dramatic last round saw the hosts squeeze home by three from long-time leaders, the Royal Sun (Begbroke), with the Plough (Wolvercote) a further five points adrift in third. Their final tally of 125 meant the Green Road Club were the overall winners and became only the second non-Premiership side to lift a ‘Tabletop’ cup in the last 18 months.

The return to regular league action this Thursday provides a number of intriguing clashes. In possibly the most competitive division, the West, where a mere two points covers the top four, leaders, the Royal Sun, face their sternest test yet against old rivals, and second placed, Seacourt Bridge (Botley), whilst third placed, White Hart (Eynsham) take on a rejuvenated Woodman outfit. Currently fourth, titleholders, the Windrush Club (Witney), will be hoping to shrug off their spectacular implosion in the last round five days ago as they go up against defending North champions, the Blue Boar ‘A’ (Chipping Norton), who have made a disappointing start to this campaign.

Following the recent setback against stablemate, the Bunch!, the Plough look to make amends against hitherto unbeaten Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ (Oxford City). Defeat and the Premier Section crown may well slip from their grasp.

In the East, the Eight Bells (Long Crendon) will seek consecutive wins as they play the Green Dragon, while the King’s Arms (Wheatley) look to stay on good form against the Hatchet (Childrey).

Pacesetter in the Oxford Division, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) will be seeking reward for the long trek to Hook Norton where they tackle the Sun. Meanwhile the Bell looks to consolidate their lead in the North as they welcome the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) to Lower Heyford.

  • James Carr’s Questions

Q. Which is the most commonly eaten insect group in the world?

Q. Which country has the International car registration letter ‘L’?

Q. Which scientist came up with the three Laws of Motion?

Q. ‘She keeps her Moet et Chandon in her pretty cabinet’ is the opening lyric to which Queen song?

 

 

A full fixture list and details of the league can be found at oxfordshirequizleague.co.uk