Suffolk v Essex

According to one seasoned campaigner, last Sunday's Eastern Counties League encounter with Essex was a first – Suffolk defeated their neighbour in all three matches. Both 'A' and 'C' teams won 16-4 in victory points and the 'B' team went one better with a 17-3 win. It's always difficult getting into gear after time-off and maybe our opponents were still in holiday mode. They certainly seemed to be favouring all men with goodwill on this early deal:

Love All
Dealer West
  • Q2
  • ---
  • Q109532
  • J9732
  • AKJ5
  • KJ72
  • 8
  • K1054
N
W
E
S
  • 10963
  • A98543
  • K76
  • ---
  • 874
  • Q106
  • AJ4
  • AQ86
West
North
East
South
1
2NT*
4
5
X
All Pass

My unusual 2NT overcall showing both minors was a trifle frisky but, if you play 'any strength' then it can certainly go down this low. Well, towards it anyway. Partner had every cause to venture five clubs; I would guess he expected to make it before he saw dummy. East started with the top spades and switched to a low heart, ruffed on table. South advanced a low club and got the bad news.

Suddenly the defence had as much length in trumps and the situation was perilous for North-South. In these situations it is better to retain trump control and force the defence's winners early but South erred in taking the ace and continuing to draw trumps. Effectively he was pinning his hopes on diamonds being 2-2 with the king onside. West won the second trump and now gave back a trick by leading his diamond. The spotlight turned on East for the key play as dummy contributed the queen. Ducking would have ensured down three but his actual play of covering with the king allowed us to escape with –100 and a useful gain against the heart game bid almost everywhere else.

What should West have done? He must continue with the forcing defence, playing either a top spade or a heart. That would restrict South to the two tricks he already had, a diamond and four more trumps scored separately – just seven in all, leaving us with a penalty of –800.

Suffolk v Essex
'A' Team won by 41 IMPs (16-4 VP)
J. Lang / D. Morran
E. Newman / M. Sherer
C. Chambers / J. Gobert
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe

'B' team won by 51 IMPs (17-3)
M. Allnutt / P. Sutcliffe
J. Moore / A. Moore (Capt.)
A. Day / J. Orton
R. Mascall / N. Denny

'C' team won by 40 IMPs (16-4)
J. Goddard / P. Hanson
J. Mayhew / A. Wilmer
A. Barnes / D. Gee
C. Bamberger / R. Green

Published Saturday 15.Jan.2005