Suffolk v Bedfordshire

Suffolk enjoyed mixed fortunes in last Sunday's Eastern Counties League match against Bedfordshire. Firstly in the match results themselves; the Suffolk 'A' team lost 9-11 but the 'B' team won 16-4. Secondly in the texture of the matches; both teams won two quarters and lost two; both were ahead at the interval, both had losing second halves. And thirdly in the rub of the green at the table. This deal from the third quarter started Bedfordshire's comeback:

EW Vul.
Dealer East
  • KJ8
  • Q64
  • KQ97
  • K107
  • 94
  • K1075
  • A52
  • QJ42
N
W
E
S
  • AQ10653
  • A9
  • 4
  • A653
  • 72
  • J832
  • J10863
  • 98

The main problem comes after East opens one spade and hears a two club response from partner. This is not easy in the Acol style and two Suffolk players rebid 2♠ and played there. That looks a bit lacking in ambition from both sides but though West might have tried 2NT, in a partnership where light openings are common (especially, for instance, when they do not have recourse to an opening weak two), there's some sense in that. Two pairs reached the par spot of 4♠, possible after East rebid 3♠, which looks the straightforward choice but might well exclude a club contract.

At our table East tried 3♣ and West converted to 3NT. That looks even more aggressive than 2NT over 2♠; I don't see why a raise in clubs should indicate any more values than a rebid of the spade suit. 3NT was not a great contract; West held up the diamond ace until the third round and played a spade to the ten. It was his lucky day.

Where West did more than make a single club raise the sky was the limit. Jonathan Green and Ed Colley reached six clubs. That's not a slam you'd want to be in everyday but as long as the spade king was onside and both black suits behaved, a club could be conceded and the spades ruffed out. However, one opposition pair outdid them and reached six spades. This needed spades 3-2 - and both honours onside, the same as the two opposition no-trump games. Had South had the spade knave, Suffolk would have won 13-7 and 18-2. Oh well, another day perhaps.

Suffolk v Bedfordshire
'A' Team lost 9-11 VPs (-8 IMPs)
P. Gemmell (Capt.) / P. Sutcliffe
E. Colley / J. Green
C. Chambers / J. Gobert
B. Davies / D. Gudka

'B' Team won 16-4 VPs (+40 IMPs)
M. Bone / J. Leigh
E. Newman / M. Sherer
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
B. Barker / A. Day

Published Saturday 18.Nov.2006