A thrilling end to the Oxford Mail Quiz League is in prospect with teams neck and neck across all the divisions.

The North West Division saw one of the most closely contested matches of the year between The Crown (Church Enstone) and The Sun Inn (Hook Norton).

In a match where the lead changed five times, The Crown finally overcame their opposition with the final question to snatch a 69-68 victory which now leaves the division wide open.

The highest score of the week was achieved by The Blue Boar (Chipping Norton) in their 85-51 victory over The New Inn (Westcote).

The result catapults The Blue Boar into first place in their division with a game in hand.

Elsewhere, the students of St Cross College continued their charge with a 65-63 victory over The Rose & Crown (Didcot) and The Shelley Arms (Oxford) beat The Woodstock Arms 69-61.

Three teams are now tied in first place in the Oxford Division.

The Mary English Memorial Cup will be held this year on February 14 and will be hosted by The Cherwell Club (Kidlington).

All teams intending taking part should contact The Inspired Quiz Company on 01865 437194 or by email cup@inspiredquizcompany.co.uk

More details are available on the league website www.inspiredquizcompany.co.uk and click on the Oxford Mail logo.

(Blockbuster scores in brackets)

Chinnor Sport 51 Eight Bell 58 (12-11)

Rising Sun (Ickford) 47 Clifden Arms 61 (7-14)

Kings Arms 69 Rising Sun (Haddenham) 54 (11-13)

Kings Head 53 Red Lion 70 (12-14)

Chandos 68 Lamb 57 (11-14)

House of Windsor 74 Royal Sun 63 (13-12)

Cherwell Club 70 Wise Alderman 59 (12-7)

Jolly Sportsman 42 White Hart 71 (12-13)

Woodman 84 Dashwood 55 (12-14)

Bicester Civil Service 78 Wendleberries 63 (13-13)

Crown 69 Sun Inn 68 (12-12)

Plough 75 Stones 62 (11-8)

Chequers 64 Bell 45 (9-11)

Blue Boar 85 New Inn 51(14-10)

Globe 47 Thatched Tavern 77 (9-12)

Shelley 69 Woodstock Arms 61 (10-13)

Rose & Crown 63 St Cross 65 (10-15)

Postboys 64 Seacourt 74 (11-9)

KNOCKOUT CUP Second Round Draw

(February 7, 2002)

The Rising Sun (Haddenham) v The Woodman (North Leigh)

The Red Lion (Haddenham) v The Bicester Civil Service

The Thatched Tavern (Appleton) v The Chequers (Chipping Norton)

The Plough (Kingham) v The Shelley Arms (Oxford)

Chinnor Sports & Social Club v The Rose & Crown (Didcot)

The Dashwood Arms (Kirtlington) v The Crown (Church Enstone)

St Cross College (Oxford) v The Blue Boar (Chipping Norton)

The Woodstock Arms (Oxford) v The Royal Sun (Begbroke) BLOCKBUSTER QUESTIONS

1 Which English king (name and number) established the order of the Thistle in 1687?

2 Where do arboreal creatures live?

3 Who in 1963 became the first goalkeeper to receive the award for European Footballer of the Year?

4 Actor Richard Harris received his first Oscar nomination for his role as a belligerent Irish farmer in which 1990 Jim Sheridan film?

5 Which golfer was voted 1978 American Sportswoman of the Year? 6 Which actor portrayed Moses in Cecil B De Mille's 1956 film epic The Ten Commandments?

7 Eighteen-year-old Meredith Hunter was beaten to death by Hells Angels acting as security for which pop group at a concert in Altman California in 1969?

8 In which cult 1968 sci-fi film does the central character have an affair with a blind angel?

9 What should be wrapped in bacon to make the cookery dish known as Angels on Horseback?

10 Which flat racing course is known as the Knavesmire?

11 Name The Supremes' first UK top ten hit of 1964?

12 Who in 1965 became the first American to walk in space?

ANSWERS

1 James II; 2 In Trees; 3 Lev Yashin; 4 The Field; 5 Nancy Lopez/Melton; 6 Charlton Heston; 7 Rolling Stones; 8 Barbarella; 9 Oysters; 10 York; 11 Where Did our Love Go?; 12 Edward White.