Suffolk v Cambridge University

Suffolk took on Cambridge University a fortnight ago and though the county won all three matches, the scores were certainly much closer than a year ago and there were clear indications the university is starting to build a stronger team.

They certainly didn't give us an easy ride. The students' third team, especially early in the academic year before reputations are established, often has a curious mix of hesitant new faces and pressed men. However our opponents were well schooled in defending against a Precision Club:

NS Vul.,
Dealer East
  • 832
  • ---
  • K6542
  • Q9842
  • 10
  • QJ987532
  • AQJ
  • 3
N
W
E
S
  • 97654
  • ---
  • 10987
  • AJ75
  • AKQJ
  • AK1064
  • 3
  • K106
West
North
East
South
Univ.
Chambers
Univ.
Haig-Thomas
—
—
Pass
1*
4
Pass
Pass
X
Pass
4NT*
Pass
5
End

At many tables South opened one heart and West no doubt passed without a care. My partner's one club showed at least 16 HCP with any distribution and West pre-empted in his best suit. In these situations you really should pass and take a plus score – though not as big as you'd like – because you know that partner will remove the double. But South gave in to temptation and the resulting five clubs was two down.

When an opening is artificial rather than natural, it is susceptible to interference and that not only affects systems like Precision. Later in the same match this hand appeared:

As dealer the holder chose two diamonds, artificially announcing his strength but neither of his suits. The next player overcalled three clubs, passed back to opener who was forced to start describing his hand at the three level. He chose three hearts (an odd way to bid both suits) and was raised to four but then had to guess whether to proceed. Even modest interference (from vulnerable opponents) had made the deal uncomfortable –beware starting to bid good hands without mentioning a suit.

Suffolk v Cambridge University
'A' Team won 12-8 VPs (+10 IMPs)
P. Gemmell (Capt.) / P. Sutcliffe
B. Davies / C. Stokes
J. Lang / D. Morran
J. Green / E. Lockhart

'B' Team won 16-4 VPs (+43 IMPs)
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
N. Denny / R. Mascall
R. Hanley / E. Newman
J. Price / D. Price

'C' Team won 14-6 VPs (+24 IMPs)
C. Chambers / D. Haig-Thomas
N. Less / H. Mason
P. Hanson / C. Hanson
J. Mayhew / A. Wilmer

Published Saturday 8.Nov.2008