Reputations can almost count for nothing. Certainly, they are not things that are going to overawe a side like the Black Swan (East Oxford), containing as they do such tough old nuts as Frank the Kerryman, Michael, ‘H’ (not the one from Steps), the one known only as The Driver, together with Skipper Conway.

With the bookies offering a spread of 20-plus points in favour of the visitors, defending Summer Premiership champions, the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote), no-one foresaw the last round dramas, which almost defied the odds, but eventually saw the Bunch! clinch the tie by a solitary point, 66-65. Cruel luck then to the ‘Swan’, and they will be looking to make amends when they face the Young ‘Uns, aka Far From The Madding Crowd ‘B’, this week.

In complete contrast, there were no giant-killing acts in the offing at either the Plough (Wolvercote) or Far From The Madding Crowd (Oxford City). The former were merciless in despatching the White Hart (Eynsham), 80-48, and it is with a certain amount of trepidation that I view this Thursday evening when my lot, the Con Club, are next up to entertain these Leviathans of Quizland. If we perform anything like the Black Swan did, we will have done alright. Meanwhile, in the city centre, FFTMC ‘A’ bounced back from the setback against the Bunch! seven days earlier to see off the below-strength, but nevertheless very gutsy, Black’s Head (Bletchingdon), 74-54.

Well, the Royal Sun certainly know their Ska from their Reggae, and can recognise a good Whistling and Bone playing artist when they want to. It was thanks to such eclectic musical tastes amongst their troops that they managed to turn an eight-point deficit, away to the luckless (and possibly tuneless) Seacourt Bridge (Botley), into a seven point success, 67-60. As a consequence, the Begbroke outfit extended their perfect opening to four victories from as many starts, and they sit proudly atop Section One. This week, they entertain second-placed Green Road Club (Kidlington), the latter fresh off the back of a 73-45 demolition job of FFTMC ‘B’. A win for the Royal Sun over their old adversaries and nearest neighbours, and they will have established a handy lead in this division.

Completing the round-up, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), finally got the better of the gritty Gardener’s Arms (North Parade), thanks to a 10-2 margin in the decisive last round, enabling the hosts to post a narrow 69-63 triumph. Not that the game itself wasn’t memorable, but the post-match food certainly was – it was simply sumptuous. It helped that the pool team were playing at home the same night, and that their captain is a chef.