Suffolk v Essex
The new Eastern Counties League season has brought a few changes, most noticeably in the changed scoring – out of twenty rather than twelve. The precise parameters of this didn't trouble the Suffolk 'A' team as they trounced Essex by 134 IMPs which by any metric was going to be 20-0. And to add icing to that, the 'B' and 'C' teams won as well, 15-5 and 14-6 respectively.
A new season a new county team? Not really, just playing in form and exploiting the weaknesses of the opposition – long may it continue. Fortunately there were many hands to score from in the match:
| Dealer East, Love All | ♠ KJ962 | |||
| ♥ J9842 | ||||
| ♦ 75 | ||||
| ♣ 6 | ||||
| ♠ 108754 | ♠ --- | |||
| ♥ Q7 | ♥ K3 | |||
| ♦ 6 | ♦ AQJ9832 | |||
| ♣ AQ1098 | ♣ J754 | |||
| ♠ AQ3 | ||||
| ♥ A1065 | ||||
| ♦ K104 | ||||
| ♣ K32 | ||||
| West | North | East | South | |
| 1♦ | 1NT | |||
| 2♣ | 2♠ | 3♦ | Pass | |
| Pass | 3♥ | P | 4♥ | |
| Pass | Pass | 5♦ | X | |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
The Suffolk East knowing of the fit in clubs decided to make his sacrifice bid in his long suit. However it turned out to be an excellent two way shot as five diamonds cannot be defeated. Five clubs, optically better, is hard to manage. You might just get home (especially on the auction above where North figures to be 5-5) by ruffing the spade lead and playing just one round of trumps before taking a straight-forward diamond finesse. This contract had differing fortunes; down one and up one, both doubled and both in Suffolk's favour. Elsewhere North-South declared hearts and found the defence owning the first six tricks…
Suffolk v Essex
A team won 20-0 (+134 IMPs)
J. Gobert / J. Green
P. Sutcliffe / P. Gemmell
J. Lang / D. Morran
C. Stokes / P. Markwell
B team won 15-5 (+35 IMPs)
J. Moore / A. Moore
D. Brown /A. Kingsley
M. Allnutt / D. Marriott
E. Newman / M. Sherer (Capt.)
C team won 14-6 (+26 IMPs)
S. Goddard / P. Hanson
N. Less / A. Barnes
R. Mascall / J. Denny
J. Willmott / R. Hanley
Published Saturday 30.Jun.2001