In a remarkable week of results, all six away sides returned home victorious. Amongst them was one of the biggest shocks of the season recorded by the Seacourt Bridge at the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote).

Having secured just one point (a draw in week three) from their opening four matches, those wily old foxes from Botley travelled to the abode of the reigning Premiership champions, doubtless more concerned with avoiding a battering than actually contemplating victory.

Yet, in a nail-biting tussle, they narrowly defeated their illustrious opponents, 71-68, and in so doing consigned them to their third reverse in what is still a relatively fledgling campaign.

The Bunch!’s housemate, the Plough, made the most of their rival’s slip-up with success at the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown). Trailing 17-21 after the first two rounds, they managed to eke out a four point lead entering the half-time break and then steadily built on this advantage, eventually prevailing 78-64. The Plough now boasts an impressive unbeaten start of five wins from five.

Moving into second place in the Premier Division are the Royal Blenheim ‘A’ (Oxford City). They squeezed past the very much in-form Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) 76-73 with skipper Jeff Welch breathing a huge sigh of relief while remarking that they had been a little lucky.

Another victim of the curse bestowed on the home teams was the Royal Sun (Begbroke). Their run of four consecutive wins was halted by the Green Road Club (Kidlington), in yet another close encounter, 69-71, the latter bolstered by Kate Cahill’s return from holiday.

And so, the bandwagon rolls on! The phenomenon which is the amazing resurgence of the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) shows no sign of abatement. Their 74-67 triumph over the White Hart (Eynsham) has extended their unbeaten run to five and they now sit proudly atop Section One. Despite averaging five points a game less, they should enter this week’s contest with the Bunch! in a confident mood especially given their adversaries’ recent fraility.

In last Thursday’s other tie, the Black Swan (East Oxford) went to the Royal Blenheim ‘B’ (aka ‘The Young ‘Uns’) who were competing at their new city centre residence for the first time. “Much better venue, lovely curry!” was how visiting skipper, Captain Conway, summed up matters, although the absence of his treasured ‘bud’ did provide him with a minor source of discontent! Still, it did not dampen the rest of his teammates’ spirits as they took the honours quite emphatically, 63-32.

This week’s high spots should be provided at the homes of the two sides aiming to extend their 100 per cent records. The Black’s Head will have their hands full entertaining the Bunch!, whilst the Plough welcome a Royal Sun outfit who have not suffered back-to-back losses for well over a year.