Last Thursday witnessed the final round of league fixtures before a well-earned Christmas break.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the evening was the performance of the Six Bells (Headington) with a crushing, 83-62 rout of championship rivals, the Chester Arms. This defeat for the East Oxford side sees them relinquish their lead at the top of the Premier Section, being replaced by the ultra-consistent Hatchet (Childrey) who triumphed over a below-par Seacourt Bridge (Botley), 67-43.

Only four points separate the five quizzing ‘Goliaths’ in this elite division: this following wins for the Bell (Grove) in a high-scoring encounter over the Black Swan (Crown St), 75-65; and the Plough (Wolvercote), whose recent resurgence was maintained with a 74-46 demolition of the Sun Inn (Hook Norton).

After the battering they sustained seven days earlier, the Rock of Gibraltar (Enslow Bridge) bounced back with a hard-fought victory (61-55) at the Gatehanger’s Inn (Ashendon). Consequently, they remain top of the North Division but, hot on their heels, are the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), who edged a thriller against next-door neighbours the Chequers, 63-59; and the Crown (Church Enstone) who prevailed over the Woodman (North Leigh), 73-62.

The Green Dragon (Haddenham) roars on. One match away from the mid-point of the season and they have maintained their perfect record, with seven wins from as many games.

They appear to have an unassailable lead in the East Division, their latest victims being a plucky Gardener’s Arms, beaten 65-43.

Of the other contenders in this section, only the King’s Arms (Wheatley) picked up points, this after overcoming the Eight Bells (Long Crendon) in a gritty encounter, 69-62.

The Windrush Club (Witney) continues to impress. In despatching the previous week’s heroes, the Highwayman (Kidlington), 72-44, they retain control of the West Division. However, only just: the White Hart (Eynsham) are in close pursuit after overwhelming the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) by a margin of 27 points, racking-up an eye-catching 77 in the process.

The setback for the Black Swan at the Bell saw them topple from the summit of the Oxford Division.

Ominously, the Green Road Club (Kidlington) have replaced them in pole position after narrowly defeating old rivals, the Royal Sun (Begbroke), 65-61. Traditionally a very strong team, this unit may well prove difficult to displace.

The North Oxford Conservative Club is their nearest challenger after landing the spoils in a nail-biter with the Chandos Arms (Oakley), and the Summertown team will be hoping this success proves a good omen as they go in search of their fourth consecutive Sports ‘Tabletop’ trophy this Thursday.

This popular quiz is being staged at various venues around the county and is the concluding chapter to what has been a very successful and enjoyable year for the Oxfordshire Quiz League.

Once it is over, combatants will retire to winter stables and no doubt make merry over the festive period before renewing hostilities in the new year.