European Championships (3)
Having mentioned the Open and Women's teams at the European Championship it is only fair and proper that the Seniors' team take a turn. Actually there is a better reason because local player David Price who lives in Suffolk and plays for the county, is part of the England Seniors. I have to thank a correspondent for bringing this to light - otherwise I might have had to fall back on the ruse that I didn't think he qualified…
The England Seniors were the most successful of the national teams, finishing equal sixth. However, some sixth places are more equal than others and David Price's team lost the split tie and were placed seventh. Why was that important? The top six in each of the Open, Women's and Seniors' all go to the next world championships in Sao Paulo. Sadly despite their promising starts, the Open team and the Women's finished twelfth and ninth respectively. Turkey won the Seniors and I can't help but draw your attention to it, both my tips came good; Norway won the Open and France the Women's.
This deal was nicely judged by David Price and his partner Colin Simpson:
| NS Vul. Dealer East | ♠ 53 | ||
| ♥ AJ962 | |||
| ♦ 8 | |||
| ♣ QJ976 | |||
| ♠ AK842 | ♠ QJ1076 | ||
| ♥ 3 | ♥ Q104 | ||
| ♦ A1065 | ♦ KJ973 | ||
| ♣ 532 | ♣ --- | ||
| ♠ 9 | |||
| ♥ K875 | |||
| ♦ Q42 | |||
| ♣ AK1084 | |||
England NS
| West | North | East | South | |
| Price | Bolviken | Simpson | Sorvoll | |
| 1♠ | X | |||
| 4♥* | X | 4♠ | Pass | |
| Pass | 5♣ | 5♠ | Pass | |
| Pass | 6♣ | Pass | Pass | |
| 6♠ | X | End |
West's first call showed great spade support with heart shortage. When east bid over five clubs showing no interest in defending, David could picture a secondary fit in diamonds. That meant that both sides could potentially make a lot of tricks - six spades might make or might be a cheap sacrifice against six clubs.
The Norwegian pair in the other room probably thought that they had a good board:
England EW
| West | North | East | South | |
| Farstad | Dixon | Lowe | Silverstone | |
| 1♠ | X | |||
| 2NT* | 4♥ | 4♠ | 5♥ | |
| 5♠ | X | End |
At both tables, because of south's take-out double, declarer had no problem locating the diamond queen; Norway gathered twelve for +750 for Norway but Colin Simpson took all thirteen to score +1310. England won 11 IMPs towards a 25-3 win in victory points.
Published Saturday 5.Jul.2008