Talk about London buses! Four teams entered round seven without a single ‘w’ to their record. By the end of the evening, three of them had managed to finally break their duck.

Clearly, something had to give in North Leigh as neither the Woodman nor their guests, the Royal Blenheim ‘B’ (Oxford City), had yet to trouble the scorers. In a low-scoring affair, the visitors prevailed 61-50 and in so doing posted their first victory in the Winter campaigns since early 2013! Doctor Tim has been a fantastic addition!

The Chandos Arms had not tasted success since April 10th last year. Unfancied against the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade), the ‘Oakley Army’ upset the odds to land the spoils 74-68.

Completing this triumphant triumvirate were the Chequers (Chipping Norton), and with one of the most emphatic performances of the night. Entertaining a Black’s Head (Bletchingdon) outfit looking to sustain a credible challenge to the Blue Boar Bees in the North, the home team sent them packing after an 80-52 hammering.

So, of the twenty sides comprising the countywide quizzing structure only the Woodman has still to open their account.

Lying in wait for them next are the Blue Boar Bees. Taking advantage of the Black’s Head’s misfortunes, they squeezed past a courageous Sun Inn (Hook Norton) to snatch a last question thriller, 68-67. Their divisional lead now seems pretty unassailable even with nine matches to go.

As hinted at in this column last week, the eye-catching match-up came in Long Crendon where the home team and front runner’s in the East, the Eight Bells, welcomed third-placed Black Swan (East Oxford). Visiting skipper, ‘Captain’ Conway was in great humour. Aside from being slightly bizarrely yet warmly effusive about the reading abilities of the question master, he appears to be a staking a claim for restaurant critic in this publication should the position become available, judging by his comments about the Eight Bell’s culinary delights: ‘….well worth a visit by all culinary experts’; ‘….exceptional and mouth-watering beef brisket rolls,’ and so on.

Frankly, I think he was in fine form following a 79-78 success after having been eight behind, a result which has lifted his charges into pole position, a height not attained for many a long day.

Alcohol appears to have got the better of the White Hart (Eynsham). 48-45 up at the break against the ‘Mighty’ Plough (Wolvercote), a more than a spot of over-indulgence led to an 83-70 reverse. Still, knowing them, they doubtless enjoyed themselves!

Elsewhere, in the highest aggregate contest of the evening, the Royal Blenheim ‘A’ held out against a spirited Windrush Club (Witney), 87-78, whilst fellow Premiership rival, the Ploughman’s Bunch! (also Wolvercote), were a touch too smart for the King’s Arms (Wheatley), outwitting them 82-70.

The Royal Sun (Begbroke) maintained their fine form in overwhelming an out of sorts North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), 82-65, while the Seacourt Bridge (Botley) stay hot on their heels after they defeated near-neighbours, the Green Road Club (Kidlington), 80-72.