Dubious Logic

Suffolk v Cambridge University

Suffolk won all three matches against Cambridge University in their Eastern Counties League fixture but that bare statement conceals a much closer contest. In fact, both the first and second teams were tied with the final eight deals to play but in both matches Suffolk registered significant gains to seal the result. The 'A' team eventually winning 17-3 in victory points, the 'B' team 16-4 and the 'C', 14-6.

This is one of the deals that contributed to that last quarter resurgence.

Against us the student pair started (from South); 1♣ – 2♣ (natural, forcing); 3♣ (minimum) – 3♠?? And after North had denied anything in hearts, confusion reigned and an uncertain club game was bid. Most pairs arrived in 3NT but one Suffolk 'A' partnership got to grips with the North-South cards:

Eric Newman and Mike Sherer use Precision, a system based around a strong club, and open hands with both minors one diamond. When Eric suggested a slam by removing three no-trump, Mike had no hesitation is accepting; he had an extra trump, a source of tricks in diamonds and completely controlled the spade suit. In fact, the two hands did not mesh quite as well as hoped with the king-queen of hearts almost wasted.

After winning the spade lead in South, Eric led a trump towards the closed hand. When West ducked and the king won, the play was over quickly. Declarer cashed the remaining winners in the majors and threw West in to take the diamond finesse for him. Norman Denny and Rosemarie Mascall also bid the slam for the 'B' team.

Suffolk v Cambridge University
'A' Team won 17-3 (+47 IMPS)
P. Sutcliffe / P. Gemmell (Capt.)
B. Davies / A. Day
M. Sherer / E. Newman
J. Gobert / C. Chambers

'B' Team won 16-4 (+43 IMPS)
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
C. Bamberger / R. Green
N. Denny / R. Mascall
R. Parish / A. Shearman

'C' Team won 14-6 (+27 IMPS)
N. Farr / S. Farr
J. Mayhew / A. Wilmer
C. Hanson / P. Hanson
A. Barnes / N. Less

Published Saturday 3.Feb.2007