Suffolk v Cambridge University

As I often relate, the Eastern Counties League match against Cambridge University is a very enjoyable affair. And this year, not only for the unfettered nature of the bridge played, but Suffolk because managed to win all three matches: The 'A' and 'B' teams 15-5 and the 'C' team with a clean sweep, 20-0. I must point out that the university are no push-overs and were on two wins out of three (somewhat behind in the fixtures, this is the last Suffolk match of the 2004-5 season) including a 'twenty' over their local county, Cambs & Hunts.

The boards however were strangely unforgiving and if you had passed throughout all afternoon, I suspect you'd have done quite well. Eliciting pass from either North or South on this deal was something of a struggle – it was a case of who would blink first:

NS Vul.
Dealer West
  • AQ10765
  • KQ10832
  • ---
  • A
  • KJ94
  • 4
  • 53
  • KJ8732
N
W
E
S
  • 83
  • AJ97
  • J98
  • 9654
  • 2
  • 65
  • AKQ107642
  • Q10
West
North
East
South
Gobert
Cam. U
Chambers
Cam U
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
3*
X
3
Pass
5
Pass
5
Pass
6
Pass
6
All Pass

A good competitive auction as they say. Six hearts was three down, mercifully undoubled. I didn't want to panic them into a better contract and was worried that 6NT be making or cheaper when South had, say, the singleton spade king. Five diamonds was about the only game with chances but it made only once. West led a heart and took a ruff then got out with a club to the ace, damaging declarer's entries. South had to ruff a heart back to hand but with which card? Ruffing high would work against West's original holding of ♦Jxx but lose to East holding those cards, all others being equal. Who was more likely to hold the diamond length? Well West was, as he was known to have fewer hearts. Here of course he didn't and the percentage play failed.

What to learn from the auction? I think North's softly-softly approach was misplaced. He is surely worth 4♥ at his third call to get some of the power across. But then again, I think South unnecessarily complicated matters with his forcing fourth suit 3♣ bid. He wanted to play in diamonds, just diamonds. Jumping to game at his second turn is not unreasonable. Would it have got a pass from North? It should have, but somehow I doubt it would.

Suffolk v Cambridge University
'A' team won by 33 IMPs, 15-5 VP
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe
J. Green / E. Newman
D. Sutcliffe / M. Allnutt
C. Chambers / J. Gobert

'B' team won by 35 IMPs, 15-5 VP
B. Davies / A. Moore (Capt.)
C. Bamberger / R. Green
N. Denny / R. Mascall
R. Hanley / J. Orton

'C' team won by 80 IMPs, 20-0 VP
P. Hanson / R. Goddard
G. Beeton / S. Flin
M. Coates / M. Del Bo

Published Saturday 19.Mar.2005