It has been a while since the final week of the regular season did not provide the backdrop for the destination of at least one of the two divisional titles in either the summer or winter leagues. However, last Thursday, in round 13 (of 14), both championships were settled – so all that needs to be resolved now are the minor placings.

In the Premiership, the Plough (Wolvercote) landed top spot for the first time since the winter campaign of 2012/13. At least they were able to back their rather controversial, and somewhat premature, claim of a fortnight or so ago that they were the ‘new champions’.

At half-time in their tie with second-placed Royal Blenheim ‘A’ (Oxford City), the Wolvercote outfit trailed their closest rivals by five points.

Following a period of stalemate after the break, the deficit remained the same entering the last round. At this point, it appears the Blenheim imploded. They were only able to add two further points to their total whilst the Plough plundered 16 to prevail 80-71.

So long the bridesmaid, the Green Road Club (Kidlington) finally landed the big one. For once, they held their collective nerve in the closing stages, winning their last four games.

Their trip to Eynsham proved hugely lucrative as they returned home 75-63 victors over the White Hart and with the silverware, figuratively speaking at least, in the bag. They were helped on the night by defeats for the other two teams with realistic chances of overhauling them.

The North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown) put in one of their better performances in what has been a patchy season, but they still went down, 69-81, to the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote).

It was also a disappointing evening for the Black’s Head (Bletchingdon).

A journey that began so promisingly with six victories from their first seven starts rather petered out, with just one positive result in the last six, their most recent setback, a 64-76 reverse at home to the Seacourt Bridge (Botley).

Still, there are a lot of positives for the Black’s Head who had never challenged for honours previously, and perhaps if they can get a bit more consistency in selection, they may have fruitful times ahead.

Elsewhere, the Gardeners Arms (North Parade) put in another great effort in defeating the Royal Sun (Begbroke) 70-62, while probably the result of the night, if not the whole year, occurred at the Black Swan (East Oxford) where the hosts were pummelled by the Royal Blenheim ‘B’ (aka ‘The Young ‘Un’s’) who recorded their first win by 68 to 50.