Suffolk v Hertfordshire

Spring is in the air and… It's the start of the Eastern Counties League for 2006-7. There was a sense of seasonal optimism half way through the opening fixture against Hertfordshire; first and second teams were ahead and the third team was only adrift by only a couple of IMPs. However, the 'A' team faltered badly in the fourth quarter to lose by 36, 5-15 in victory points, the 'C' team went backwards to lose 2-18 and only the 'B' match ended well for Suffolk, a useful win of 17-3.

Our opponents had an uncomfortable knack of doing the right thing – this deal was perhaps the most painful:

  • Q104
  • J3
  • AKQJ5
  • 942
  • AJ7
  • 852
  • 109862
  • K3
N
W
E
S
  • K98653
  • K4
  • 3
  • A1076
  • 2
  • AQ10976
  • 74
  • QJ85
West
North
East
South
Gobert
Herts
Chambers
Hert
—
—
1
2
2
3
3S
Pass
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
X
All Pass

Although balanced on a knife edge, three no-trump cannot be defeated. Not so four hearts of course; that contract is prey to a club ruff, a defence West will surely find whether he leads the suit initially or after the spade ace.

What could we have done? Well I suppose we might have tried 4♠. That's only one off – no doubt doubled. Wait a moment, I see four spades made twice! After a diamond lead I suspect North thought it harmless to play another round. Now surprisingly the West hand has enough entries to ruff out the other two diamond honours to establish and cash the six spot to throw a heart.

Suffolk v Hertfordshire
A' Team lost 5-15 VPs (-36 IMPs)
M. Allnutt / P. Gemmell (Capt.)
C. Chambers / J. Gobert
J. Moore / A. Moore
B. Davies / D. Gudka

'B' Team won 17-3 VPs (+51 IMPs)
Beeton / S. Flin
M. Bone / J. Leigh
N. Denny / R. Mascall
R. Parish / A. Shearman

'C' Team lost 2-18 VPs (-60 IMPs)
J. Mayhew / A. Wilmer
N. Farr / S. Farr
P. Carlisle / J. Marsh
A. Barnes / N. Less

Published Saturday 29.Apr.2006