Suffolk v Essex
In recent years in the Eastern Counties League Suffolk have developed something of a knack for playing against Essex. Our neighbours are strong – their first team won the ECL last season – and they have a considerable bridge playing population on which to draw, but perhaps heightened a little by local competition, Suffolk seem to punch a little above their weight. So it was last week, the 'A' team won 13-7, the 'B' team over-ran their opponents 20-0 and the 'C' team just slipped to a 9-11 defeat.
The deals in the match were an exciting selection and provided ample entertainment and instruction for those present. I'll save the more exotic examples for when I have a few more column inches; here is a board to bolster the pragmatists who'd rather not have too many bids:
As South you have to find a lead from:
- A7
- 1053
- 104
- A87652
Dummy may well be 4=3=5=1 and depending on style, a few values - many players would raise immediately when weak with three card support and reserve this sequence for decent hands. Also they might be in a 4-3 fit too, you note that trumps will break for them. As they have eschewed no-trumps your side surely has the club suit and the ace is likely to be a fair lead to take a look at dummy. But if you have some working cards between you, those almost have to be in spades and the other black ace is a strong contender too.
Not such a hard problem when either worked; dummy was ♠J1082 ♥A62 ♦AK63 ♣KQ and declarer ♠Q43 ♥KQJ97 ♦QJ95 ♣10, partner having the all important ♠K allowing the defence to take the first four tricks. The heart game failed three times and succeeded five.
Essex v Suffolk 4.Sep.2005
'A' Team won 13-7 VPs (20 IMPs)
B. Barker / A. Day
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe
M. Sherer / E. Newman
C. Chambers / J. Green
'B' Team won 20-0 (104 IMPs)
R. Hanley / J. Orton
R. Mascall / N. Denny
B. Davies / D. Gudka
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
'C' Team drew 9-11 (-5 IMPs)
M. O'Reilly / M. Spencer
A. Barnes / D. Gee
A. Wilmer / J. Mayhew
M. Coates / M. Del Bo
Published Saturday 17.Sep.2005