Suffolk v Norfolk

Summer bridge is, with a few notable exceptions when the seaside provides sufficient compensation, not popular with players. It is not popular with captains either. As teams are formed of partnerships, there is twice the chance that a pair will be importuned by vacationing. Matches arranged at this time of year have a slightly patched together look, opponents and own team alike. Suffolk were to suffer more than Norfolk in the Eastern Counties League fixture on the last day of July, losing all three encounters, 6-14, 9-11, 5-15 in the 'A', 'B' and 'C' team encounters respectively.

Looking at the hand records it is sometimes hard to predict which deals will cause trouble. The board on which most IMPs changed hands was a slam depending on finding the queen of trumps holding nine between the two hands (finesse worked, drop didn't) – fair enough. But this exhibit was second most volatile, averaging thirteen IMPs in each match:

E-W Vul.
Dealer South
  • 732
  • 10862
  • 1085
  • Q96
  • 10965
  • AK95
  • AK
  • J102
N
W
E
S
  • AKQ
  • 7
  • Q96432
  • 753
  • J84
  • QJ43
  • J7
  • AK84

I guess many souths started with a weak no-trump. At some tables East-West collectively shirked their responsibilities and defended for fifties – collecting 300 when they got all their tricks, 200 when they didn't. You can't let the weak no-trumpers steal from you all the time and despite the doubleton AK and minimum high card points, double with the West cards must be best. If North-South now manage to find their heart fit East-West could play for penalties but it seems quite sensible to play their no-trump game. Only one Suffolk pair managed that (though another essayed 4♠ which rather remarkably made all the tricks). Suffolk languished in a number of part scores including a decidedly unambitious 2♦ and a failing five diamonds. As I said, the sun was shining – it was too nice to play bridge.

Suffolk v Norfolk
'A' Team lost -23 IMPs 6-14 VPs
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe
C. Bamberger / A. Day
M. Sherer / E. Newman
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe

'B' Team lost -8 IMPs 9-11 VPs
J. Moore / A. Moore (Capt.)
R. Mascall / N. Denny
B. Davies / D. Gudka
G. Beeton / S. Flin

'C' Team lost -36 IMPs 5-15 VPs
J. Meade / A. Wayman
A. Barnes / D. Gee
H. Morris / A. Wilmer
R. Goddard / W. Ehrlich

Published Saturday 13.Aug.2005