HAVING now reached the mid-point of the season, things are looking good for the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote).

Following their 75-66 dismissal of Far From the Madding Crowd (Oxford City) last Thursday, they have now accounted for both of their main rivals for the Premier Section title in successive weeks. Although the reverse fixtures are yet to come, the Bunch! are looking extremely solid and do have a strong depth to their squad which will help them during the holiday period.

Section One is developing into a very intriguing affair indeed. Last week’s results have led to a four-way tie at the top, with The Royal Sun (Begbroke) narrowly regaining pole position, courtesy of a superior accumulated points total, having held it briefly for the opening two rounds of the campaign. This exalted status has been attained after they upset their neighbours and previous pacesetters, the Green Road Club (Kidlington), in a hard-fought and extremely close contest, 61-57.

After suffering back-to-back defeats, the Black Swan (East Oxford) returned to winning ways, edging out the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) in a low-scoring affair, 53-48. I commented last week on the number of games the Gardener’s lose by relatively small margins, and it might not be too long before they convert these near misses into wins. However, this writer would appreciate it if they could suspend such reversals in fortune for one more week as this Thursday they visit my lot, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown).

Last week I wrote that after a defeat to the Ploughman’s Bunch!, the Plough’s (Wolvercote) season lay in tatters. Their next opponents – the Con Club! Clearly goaded by this remark, the Plough proceeded to beat us, although they did not have things all their own way, finally winning 67-59. Bolstered by the doubtless brief return of the peripatetic Coles this week, we will be hoping to return to winning ways.

In the evening’s only other match, the White Hart (Eynsham) visited the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) and came away with the spoils, downing their hosts, 63-55. Looking ahead, whilst one might expect the two Wolvercote outfits to get the better of their respective opponents this week, the Royal Sun are quite capable of exposing any chinks in the armour of Far From the Madding Crowd. Game of the week though might be at the Black Swan where the Green Road Club are the visitors. This one could go down to the wire.