WITH the destination of the Premiership crown at stake, stablemates the Plough and the Ploughman’s Bunch! (both Wolvercote) clashed in a “winner takes all” final fixture; the climax to an exhilarating winter campaign.

Despite trailing by a few points early on, the Plough proved too strong on the night, emerging victorious 83-71 and thereby fully deserving to reclaim a title they last received in 2010/11.

Misfortune then for the Bunch!, but they are the proud possessors of the summer equivalent, their defence of which will begin shortly.

In defeating the Chandos Arms (Oakley) 62-51, reigning champions Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ (Oxford City) matched the 13-3 win/loss record of the Plough but their heavier weight of scoring ensured the latter landed the spoils, with FFTMC having to settle for the runners-up spot this time around.

In the other Premier Section tie of the evening, the Hatchet (Childrey) edged the local derby against the Bell (Grove), 70-68 but, sadly for the victors, this was insufficient to lift them from the foot of the table.

Back in October, the Windrush Club (Witney) briefly topped the West Division for seven days.

Following events last week, they finally regained the leader’s mantle with no fear of future displacement.

Their success is due in some part to the self-destruction befalling the White Hart (Eynsham), whose position of seeming-impregnability after 12 games was undermined by four successive losses culminating in a 59-67 reverse at the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon).

Backing up their victory over the White Hart a week earlier, the Windrush held their collective nerve to see off the Woodman (North Leigh) 67-60 and achieve their first divisional championship. In the Oxford Division, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) were tasked with beating basement side Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’ in order to add the Winter title to that already held for the Summer.

A five-point deficit after two rounds against inspired opposition was not in the script but a disastrous picture round for FFTMC let in their opponents, who duly romped to a 65-46 win.

Deposed champs the Green Road Club (Kidlington) overpowered the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) 72-54 to secure second, while the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) ended up fourth, just behind the Seacourt, after despatching the Black Swan (East Oxford) 61-46.

In the North, the Crown (Church Enstone) were not worried by the visit of runaway title holders the Blue Boar (Chipping Norton), narrowly beating them 62-61. They finish second, ahead of the Bell (Lower Heyford) who succumbed 63-53 to the Royal Sun (Begbroke).

Meanwhile, the Chequers (Chipping Norton) saw off the Sun (Hook Norton) 62-50.

Finally, in the East, newly-crowned champions the Green Dragon (Haddenham) overwhelmed the gallant, albeit ultimately winless, Gatehanger’s Inn (Ashendon) 73-42, while Eight Bells (Long Crendon) beat runners-up King’s Arms (Wheatley) 71-65 to claim third.