Suffolk v Norfolk

The Eastern Counties League match was a marked by a noticeable absence: the Norfolk first team failed to show up. No, not a slight or a boycott, they were more prestigiously involved with the Tollemache Final having qualified back in November. Attempts were made to re-arrange the ECL match but, with two county's events to negotiate, that proved impossible.

Norfolk raised three teams nevertheless and did themselves proud: all matches finished 13-7 in victory points, Suffolk winning the 'A' and 'C' and losing the 'B' match. That loss may cost the second team dearly as they nurtured hopes of winning their division.

Looking down the scores from the three teams, this deal was very expensive, resulting in Suffolk conceding 12, 14 and 17 IMPs respectively.

NS Vul.
Dealer East
  • QJ7
  • K9
  • AK5432
  • 93
  • A64
  • QJ8432
  • Q87
  • 2
N
W
E
S
  • K9853
  • 1065
  • ---
  • K10764
  • 102
  • A7
  • J1096
  • AQJ85
West
North
East
South
Gobert
Norfolk
Chambers
Norfolk
—
—
Pass
1
2
3
4
5
End

Our auction seemed not unusual, my raise to game of partner's jump overcall creating a small problem for South. In some senses she was fortunate – imagine the deal with the club king and the diamond queen exchanged - but with four trumps and the promise of tricks in clubs, pressing onto the vulnerable game was the percentage action. Elsewhere North-South elected to defend and normal defence took this contract two down for +300 (an obscure set of plays would realise another trick).

So far, so sensible but there was hidden poison in the diamond suit. There would never be a trick for West of course, the ace exposes the lie and a subsequent finesse ensures no loser, but once the ace and king were gone, South had to win the fourth round of the suit by dint of the mighty diamond six. This didn't – or shouldn't – have caused any problems in five diamonds, but those who declared three no-trump had to exercise care. Some didn't; all three Suffolk declarers failed.

This is somewhat hard to see: even if you win an opening heart lead in North (removing your entry), a top diamond then a club finesse, four diamonds and a second club finesse comes to nine tricks as indeed, does conceding a diamond to the queen.

Suffolk v Norfolk
'A' Team won 13-7 VPs (+15 IMPs)
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe
C. Chambers / J. Gobert
E. Newman / M. Sherer
J. Moore / A. Moore

'B' Team lost 7-13 VPs (-20 IMPs)
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
C. Bamberger / R. Green
N. Denny / R. Mascall
R. Hanley / J. Orton

'C' Team won 13-7 VPs (+20 IMPs)
J. Price / D. Price
N. Less / H. Mason
J. Mayhew / A. Wilmer
B. Barker / B. Davies

The 2008 Tollemache was won by Kent who so dominated Suffolk's qualifying group

Published Saturday 16.Feb.2008