ECL Round Up – Norfolk & Cambridge University
I promised more than a little while ago a round up of recent county matches. Back in the dark – as opposed to white – days of November, Suffolk had a fixture pile-up. There were two Eastern Counties League matches and the Tollemache Qualifier on consecutive weekends.
The sequence started poorly against Norfolk, the 'A' team lost 0-20 in Victory Points, the 'C' team 3-17 and some pride was salvaged by the 'B' team with a 10-10 draw. Against the University things went much better, three wins; 15-5, 19-0 and 20-0 VPs respectively. Then, of course, Suffolk qualified for the Tollemache final for the first time (though losing only in the match against Norfolk).
No surprise then to return to the Cambridge match but I am not keen to recall this particular deal. I wrote last week about the difficulty countering high pre-empts and this is another example.
| EW Vul. Dealer South | ♠ 4 | ||
| ♥ A9653 | |||
| ♦ J72 | |||
| ♣ J982 | |||
| ♠ 8653 | ♠ AKQJ7 | ||
| ♥ J87 | ♥ Q104 | ||
| ♦ --- | ♦ AK109 | ||
| ♣ AKQ653 | ♣ 4 | ||
| ♠ 1092 | |||
| ♥ K2 | |||
| ♦ Q86543 | |||
| ♣ 107 | |||
| West | North | East | South | |
| 3♦ | ||||
| Pass | 4♦ | ?? |
Few North-Souths had to deal with such a spirited start to the auction and we (read I) didn't deal with it well. However, even after a revealing auction, south didn't find the killing heart lead against east's spade slam and at least twelve tricks were made. There were plus scores NS so perhaps some Souths were inspired. My choice of double got us to 6NT against which no great talent in leading was required and we were down two.
So make a new year's resolution: bid up!
Suffolk v Norfolk
'A' Team lost 0-20 VPs (-87 IMPs)
A. Moore / J. Moore
E. Newman / M. Sherer
J. Orton / R. Hanley
J. Lang / D. Morran
'B' Team won 10-10 VPs (+2 IMPs)
A. Green / D. Cooper
C. Bamberger / R. Green
B. Davies / G. Beeton
J. Price / R. Mascall
'C' Team won 3-17 VPs (-51 IMPs)
N. Less / H. Mason
A. Wilmer / J. Mayhew
C. Hanson / P. Hanson
B. Talaga / A. Yarkina
Suffolk v Cambridge University
'A' Team won 15-5 VPs (+32 IMPs)
P. Gemmell / P. Sutcliffe
J. Gobert / C. Chambers
R. Hanley / J. Orton
J. Lang / C. Stokes
'B' Team won 19-1 VPs (+183 IMPs)
J. Price / D. Price (Capt.)
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
B. Davies / G. Beeton
A. Moore / J. Moore
'C' Team won 20-0 VPs (+106 IMPs)
N. Less / H. Mason
C. Hanson / P. Hanson
C. Bamberger / R. Green
A. Wilmer / C. Gemmell
Published Saturday 26.Dec.2009