Winter 2 – 2026

January 6^th witnesses the commencement of the second half of the Oxfordshire Squash Leagues Winter campaign. Happily, the transition from no home to new home has passed rather smoothly and Ben Terry will captain the former Thame crew now ensconced rather contentedly at Wheatley Park Leisure Centre with accompanying refreshment facilities at the nearby Sun public house. On court, they found the going tough in Division Two but numbers are good and perhaps from a steady build up in a lower league, they may re-grow their number of team entrants.

Augmenting this very positive note, the University Club increased their commitment to four sides for this season on a trial basis. Selection may prove a little painful when the students are down but they feel it is worth giving it a shot. After all, there are very few facilities left (err – almost none!) in Oxford City which can cater for the numbers of folk who would like to play in the Leagues.

So, we begin Winter 2 with a full compliment of 32 teams across 4 divisions and battle joined for promotion and the prospect of playing in a season ending Play Off to determine the overall champs in each section across the September-April schedule.

In a high quality pre-Xmas Winter 1 season, Abingdon 1 engaged the talents of Joe Brooke and Mark Cairns and secured a home Play Off spot in
the top division. Brackley 1 who have been Winter Champions for a good few years now will doubtless push hard to join them but the likes of Hithercroft 1, University 1, Henley 1 and Defence Academy 1 will give them a run for their money. Nuffield 1 take their place at the top table for the second time perhaps hoping to do a bit better this time around although they did enjoy the formidable challenge previously.

They do of course also have a post season commitment in the Division Two Play Off final and I would anticipate Witney as the current favourites to join them. Div 2 does look extremely competitive and it will be interesting how some sides cope with the surface at newly promoted Banbury West End.

Carterton 1 reined supreme in DivisionThree during the first half of the Winter and one of the Abingdon sides in that section would probably fancy their chances of visiting them for the Play Off final come April but there may be heightened strength in depth at Hithercroft so let’s see!

University 3 topped Div Four last time and Wallingford look well placed to succeed them at that level this time although Gladiators and Henley could restrict their progress.

It should be highly enjoyable and competitive season throughout!