Suffolk v Bedfordshire
The first Eastern Counties League match of 2009 saw two of the county teams suffering hangovers as they stumbled to losses, only the third team greeted the new year brightly. Both 'A' and 'B' teams lost 4-16 in victory points but the 'C' team registered a 14-6 win.
I suspect a scientist already has a thesis on why humans are adept at spotting patterns and a session of bridge provides ample data. An evening of rubber, a club night, a match – how often do we discern a theme? Last weekend it was the supremacy of three no-trumps over four of a major. Exhibit one:
| NS Vul. Dealer North | ♠ QJ3 | ||
| ♥ K8432 | |||
| ♦ AQ | |||
| ♣ 1062 | |||
| ♠ A8 | ♠ K107654 | ||
| ♥ 107 | ♥ AJ9 | ||
| ♦ K1086532 | ♦ J4 | ||
| ♣ 98 | ♣ J7 | ||
| ♠ 92 | |||
| ♥ Q65 | |||
| ♦ 97 | |||
| ♣ AKQ543 | |||
| West | North | East | South | |
| Green | Beds | Chambers | Beds | |
| 1NT | 2♠ | 3NT | ||
| End | ||||
I led a spade and after two rounds, elected to play partner for the heart king by leading the knave. As he had the useless diamond king, there was never any defence. Three no-trumps proved surprisingly hard to reach – especially for the five-card-majorites. Exhibit two:
| ♠ A73 | ♠ K64 | ||
| ♥ AKQ108 | ♥ J743 | ||
| ♦ 92 | ♦ KQ8 | ||
| ♣ J52 | ♣ Q73 |
Even with the diamond ace onside, four hearts was impossible but three no-trump had the same nine tricks. Again, unless west was able to open a no-trump (15-17 – too good for a weak-no trump), once hearts were mentioned, they proved impossible to shake. What does this tell us? Well, the move to opening a no-trump with five of a major is gaining ground and this evidence will only strengthen it.
Suffolk v Bedfordshire
'A' Team lost 4-16 VPs (-46 IMPs)
P. Gemmell (Capt.) / P. Sutcliffe
C. Chambers / J. Green
M. Allnutt / D. Sutcliffe
C. Bamberger / R. Green
'B' Team lost 4-16 VPs (-43 IMPs)
G. Beeton / S. Flin
R. Hanley / J. Orton
J. Lang / M. Sherer
N. Less / H. Mason
'C' Team won 14-6 VPs (+25 IMPs)
J. Price / D. Price
R. Parish / P. Whetton
N. Denny / R. Mascall
P. Hanson / C. Hanson
Published Saturday 10.Jan.2009