THE curtain finally came down last Thursday on yet another marvellous season in the Oxford Mail-sponsored, Oxfordshire Winter Quiz Leagues.

The North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) graciously provided the venue for the night, which comprised the traditional awards ceremony preceding a general knowledge ‘Tabletop’ in honour of the gentleman who ran the league for many years, Ted Payne.

The gong-giving, mercifully on this occasion passed off without incident, although there were those present who reminded me of the inadvertent beer-soaking I received at last year’s presentations!

With regard to the ‘Ted Payne’, expertly conducted by convivial and somewhat slightly avuncular, retired schoolmaster, Rupert McNeile, it was clear from the off that the handicap system customarily used for this competition only, had been cunningly designed to mitigate against sides from the Premier Section.

Refreshingly, the spotlight was turned instead on some of the unsung stalwarts, including Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’ (aka ‘The Young Un’s’), who led for much of the way aided by their new-found knack (an essential pre-requisite quiz tool!) of recognising people from their pictures; the Royal Sun (Begbroke), for whom Maurice’s curious predilection for drinking mugs of tea during the course of the evening no doubt assisted them into a highly creditable fourth; The Crown (Church Enstone), who normally do drink tea throughout a quiz, refrained and nearly won; and the Black Swan (East Oxford), expertly marshalled by Captain Conway, who has never heard of tea, only bottles of ‘Bud’, snatched the silverware courtesy of a terrific last round.

It was good to see the likes of landlady Angie, Michael, ‘H’ (not the one from Steps!), Frank the Kerryman, and the one known as ‘The Driver’, together with their irascible skipper, finally lay their collective mitts on a trophy.

Accompanying this short piece are pictures taken by this newspaper’s photographer, Steve Wheeler, depicting the assorted winners from the latest campaign.

Trophies were presented by quiz stalwart Gay Jordan, of the Green Dragon (Haddenham), whose husband Dave passed away earlier in the season.

I feel it apposite to register a roll-call of the more significant title holders:

  • Premier Section – The Plough (Wolvercote)
  • East Division – Green Dragon (Haddenham)
  • West Division – Windrush Club (Witney)
  • North Division – Blue Boar (Chipping Norton)
  • Oxford Division – North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown)

A special mention too for the Ploughman’s Bunch! (also of The Plough) for bagging six of the 10 tabletops available to them.

I wish to record the League’s thanks to all the pubs and clubs who support their teams both financially and refreshment-wise.

A massive thank-you too goes to the Oxford Mail for their generous coverage of this county-wide competition, and finally to James Carr for kindly providing us with that most essential of ingredients, the questions.

There is now a short break before the somewhat trimmer ‘Summer Leagues’ begin in mid-May.

If you are considering entering a side, or perhaps looking to join an existing outfit, please visit oxfordshirequizleague.co.uk or contact me at quinnd@hotmail.co.uk