Dubious Logic

Suffolk v Cambridge University

Against Cambridge University last Sunday, Suffolk registered their most overwhelming score-line in an Eastern Counties League match: both 'A' and 'C' team achieved 20-0 wins in victory points and the smallest of consolations was allowed by the 'B' team who won 19-1.

Pleasant though it is to win and - let no player tell you otherwise – even better to win big, all of the Suffolk team will spare a thought for the state of university bridge. A quick trawl through the records requires one to go back to the 2001-2 season to find the last occasion Suffolk lost a match (two, first and third teams) against them.

Paradoxically, the enthusiasm of the students, still much to the fore on Sunday I am glad to say, attracts a good turnout for an away fixture and captains are never troubled to raise a team. But even so, over that time, Suffolk have finished midway in the ECL divisions and the university team are struggling. Such fortunes are, in part at least, cyclical. Three or four good players raise the standard considerably. Currently the daring once found in the university match is missing and our opponents were slightly overawed and prone to accidents. I give two examples, one dramatic the other less so but both expensive. First you are North, only the opponents are vulnerable:

At your first turn you might have chosen one no-trump or two diamonds but double was reasonable. Now they've redoubled what do you do, does partner want to defend? North thought that and he passed. A trick dropped in defence meant +1920 to Suffolk when one spade made with three overtricks. It is essential for partnerships to have complete rules for redoubles but this one is universal: South doesn't have a five card suit and doesn't know your best spot – North must bid.

You are South now and have to find a lead from this miserable collection:

Is it the time to try and pick up dummy's minor honour with a heart lead? Or should you use the tempo to establish partner's clubs despite a confident no-trump overcall? The slightest experience will tell you that anything other than a club is a shot in the dark – a heart here cost -430.

Suffolk v Cambridge University
'A' Team won 20-0 VPs (+88 IMPs)
P. Gemmell (Capt.) / P. Sutcliffe
C. Chambers / J. Gobert
J. Moore / D. Price
E. Newman / M. Sherer

'B' Team won 19-1 VPs (+72 IMPs)
B. Davies / D. Gudka
G. Beeton / S. Flin
C. Bamberger / R. Green
R. Hanley / J. Orton

'C' Team won 20-0 VPs (+122 IMPs)
N. Denny / R. Mascall
N. Less / V. Mason
J. Heath / M. Heath
J. P. Mayhew / A. Wilmer

Published Saturday 17.Nov.2007