TEAMS enjoyed a brief respite from league action last Thursday and instead, congregated at the Green Road Club (Kidlington) to participate in the inaugural running of the ‘Science Fiction’ Tabletop.

One might think it could be difficult to maintain interest for approximately two and a half hours on such a topic, but not a bit of it: the quiz was warmly and enthu-siastically received by all present.

Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ (Oxford City), in particular, took to this new theme.

Continuing on from their bright start to the league campaign, and without the inspirational vicar, they dominated proceedings, leading throughout the contest, and finally landing the spoils with an outstanding score of 156.

Eleven points behind in second trailed the Plough (Wolvercote), whose fantastic final round enabled them to edge ahead of the hosts, with the Ploughman’s Bunch! (minus ‘The Pad’) back in fourth.

Special mention is due to Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’. Maybe they have received some tuition from their highly- esteemed stablemates, I have no idea, but they appear at last to be coming to grips with the concept of identifying people from their pictures!

Conquering this essential quizzing requisite will transform them into a very good side as they demonstrated on this occasion, leaving both the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) and the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) trailing in their wake.

This Thursday witnesses the resumption of league fixtures.

Two games in and only three sides can boast 100 per cent winning records.

In order to maintain theirs, FFTMC ‘A’ must successfully negotiate a tricky trip to Wolvercote where they will encounter the Bunch!, while in Section One, early pacesetters the Con Club face their old nemesis, the Green Road Club, a team who have had the wood over their opponents in recent times. The Royal Sun (Begbroke) would be the most fancied to extend their perfect start, as they take on the ‘Young ‘Uns’ aka FFTMC ‘B’.

In contrast, looking to open their accounts will be the Black Swan (East Oxford), as they entertain the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon), and the Seacourt Bridge, who will wish to banish any lingering memories of two heavy defeats as they confront the White Hart (Eynsham).

The remaining tie of the evening sees the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) tackle the Plough, with the latter looking to bounce back after being humbled by FFTMC ‘A’ last time out.

It may be a very long night for the Gardener’s!