Last Thursday saw the latest instalment in the series of Tabletops, which runs intermittently throughout the season.

On this occasion, 20 of the county’s finest teams assembled at various pubs in pursuit of the Mary English Valentine’s Memorial Trophy, the questions for which, in keeping with this time of year, challenged participants’ knowledge of subjects containing a romantic angle.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, the Premier Section sides maintained their winning grip on these individually-themed contests, although this time it was the Six Bells (Headington) who walked off with the spoils, thereby denying the Plough a fourth consecutive success.

The Wolvercote outfit had to be content with the runner-up berth, two points behind the winners, who amassed a very impressive 160.

With 156, third place went to the Royal Sun (Begbroke) who, by one point only, edged the King’s Arms (Wheatley) out of a podium finish.

Attention this week reverts back to the league campaign, and in the Premier Section all five challengers take on opposition from the lower divisions.

On paper they should all emerge unscathed, but the Hatchet (Childrey) do face a potential banana skin away at the recently rejuvenated King’s Arms.

If form rings true, however, by Friday morning, the Chester Arms (Oxford) should still be at the head of affairs and maintaining their slender advantage over the Six Bells.

Far more intriguing are the fixtures involving those teams battling it out to achieve supremacy in the North Division. Only two points separate the top three, with second and third, namely the Rock of Gibraltar (Enslow Bridge) and the Crown (Church Enstone), going head to head. Leaders, the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), will be looking to consolidate their position but first they must successfully negotiate a very tricky visit to the Windrush Club (Witney).

With a match against the Crown the following week, a slip-up from the Chippy boys and the pressure will surely start to mount.

By contrast, the destination of the title in the Oxford Division seems virtually assured. Victory for the Green Road Club over the Sun Inn (Hook Norton), and defeat for the Black Swan (Oxford), will mean the Kidlington outfit could secure the championship in the next match with three games left.

While I noted the importance to the Blue Boar of a win over the Windrush, a positive result is equally vital for the Witney side if they are to stay in touch with West Division front-runners, the White Hart (Eynsham), who can bolster their title aspirations if they prevail over the Chequers (Chipping Norton).

Still in with an outside chance are the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon), but they will need a minor miracle to see off the challenge of the Six Bells in what is now a must-win fixture.

Finally, in the East Division, regardless of results, the Green Dragon (Haddenham) will stay top, but if they are overturned by the Black Swan, a small ray of hope could present itself, with the Eight Bells (Long Crendon) best-placed to capitalise providing they despatch the Woodman (North Leigh).