The Oxford Mail Quiz League is back, with the first set of games in 2002 providing some neck-and-neck results.

The league tables across all the divisions are becoming extremely close which should ensure an exciting series of games towards the end of the season.

This week's highest score was achieved by The Red Lion, of Haddenham, who won their match against the Clifden Arms 80-50 and in doing so secured a two-point lead at the top of the East Division.

The North West division remains extremely tight with several of the teams having games in hand but first place in the division has been claimed by last year's winning team The Blue Boar, thanks to a 73-41 victory over The Bell.

In the Oxford Division, the students of St Cross College posted an impressive 75-62 victory over division leaders The Jolly Postboys and in the Bicester & Kidlington Division, the Bicester Civil Service continued to pull away from the pack with a 73-55 win over The White Hart.

This Thursday will see the first round of The Knock Out Cup which has thrown up many interesting pairings. They include a match between the leading team in the Oxford Division (The Jolly Postboys) and the leading team in the Bicester & Kidlington Division (Bicester Civil Service).

The Jolly Postboys have the home advantage and we anticipate a very keenly fought match.

Updated league tables, results and news can now be accessed on our website, www.inspiredquizcompany.-co.uk -- click on the Oxford Mail logo.

(Blockbuster in brackets)

NORTH-WEST DIVISION

Sun Inn 60 Plough 75 (17-20)

Stones 23 Crown 63 (17-17)

Bell 41 Blue Boar 73 (11-19)

New Inn 49 Chequers 49 (15-14)

OXFORD DIVISION

Shelley 61 Thatched Tavern 57

(16-15)

Woodstock Arms 57 Globe 48 (17-14)

St Cross 75 Postboys 62 (19-15)

Seacourt 53 Rose & Crown 62 (17-16)

EAST DIVISION

Lamb 61 Kings Head 45 (13-16)

Clifden Arms 50 Red Lion 80 (15-15)

Rising Sun(Haddenham) 61 Chandos 56 (14-16)

Eight Bells 61 Rising Sun (Ickford) 40 (19-18)

Chinnor Sports 48 Kings Arms 70 (15-16)

BICESTER & KIDLINGTON

DIVISION

Woodman 75 Wendleberries 36 (17-13)

Wise Alderman v Dashwood (Late Result)

White Hart 55 Bicester Civil Service 73 (16-18)

Royal Sun v Cherwell Club (Late Result)

House of Windsor 50 Jolly Sportsman 71 (18-16)

QUESTIONS: Scottish teasers:

1. Name the six British Prime Ministers last century of Scottish birth.

2. Name the five Scottish golf courses to stage the British Open Golf championship in the last century.

3. Name the first six Scottish cities to receive city status.

4. Name the five Scottish racecourses.

Answers: 1. Arthur Balfour, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Andrew Bonar-Law, Ramsay Macdonald, Harold Macmillan, Alec Douglas-Home. 2. St Andrews, Muirfield, Troon, Turnberry, Carnoustie. 3. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee, Elgin. 4. Mussleborough/Edinburgh, Perth, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Ayr.