WOODBRIDGE WIN CLUB TEAMS OF FOUR |
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The SCBA Club Teams of Four event was held at the Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell, on Sunday the 24th of March with a record entry of 23 teams. The event was closely contested with only six points between the first three places.
In first position was the Woodbridge team of Dave Walker & John Skinner playing with Humphrey Carey & Clive Rowe with a score of +81 IMPS.
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In second place (pictured below) was the Stowmarket team of Brian Pinson & Paul Wilcox playing with Bim & Sam Wilson scoring +76 IMPS and in third place were the Stratford St Mary team of Debbie & Martin Burwood playing with Derek & Rita Brinkley.
Congratulations to them all.
The Director/Scorer was Rob Richardson, boards were provided by Paul Rickard and the Event Manager was Tim Evans.
Click RESULTS to see all the scores.
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SUFFOLK C TEAM FINISH AS RUNNERS-UP IN FINAL ECL TABLE |
Captain’s Report by Rick Hanley
Suffolk v Northants 17th March 2024
Overall, the Suffolk team put up a good performance in the final match of the 23/24 ECL season. Sadly, the A team lost by 14-6. However, unlike the Welsh rugby team the previous day, they secured enough points to avoid the wooden spoon. The B team won by 12-8, due in part to a fine card from Caroline and Mark.
The main focus, however, was on the C team who needed an 18-2 win to finish top of the table. Unfortunately, the Northants C Team won their division last season and went on to win the national C Team championship. So, the C team did well to achieve a 13-7 victory. Chris and Andy were the best performers with an excellent card. The C Team should be very proud of a great season winning 5 of their 6 matches and achieving what I believe is the best ever finish by a Suffolk C Team.
I found board 20 to be the most interesting deal in Sunday’s match (see below).
After my right-hand opponent had opened and rebid spades, I found it difficult to communicate the strength of my hand to my partner and played in 3D. I was disappointed when dummy went down and we had a combined 26 count. Others played in 3NT and several made it when unaccountably a spade was not led. Bill and John did lead a spade and John made the excellent play of the queen of spades preserving communication with partner. When Bill won the ace of hearts, he could return a spade to defeat the contract. Shame on you to all those who not lead a spade! I was surprised that RealBridge claimed that 3NT can be made even if a spade is led. I cannot see how this can be done but if anyone has the answer, please let me know.
As you will know, this was my final match as captain. I have enjoyed every minute. The only match I missed during my tenure was the very first one in July 2017 when I had tickets for the Wimbledon final and witnessed Roger Federer’s last victory in the championship. I would like to pay tribute to Richard Evans who I believe has played in all the matches when I was captain. I wish my successor (Paul Whetton) all the best for the future of the Suffolk Team. Finally, I will offer some advice for the future. Paul has written some articles on the SCBA website advocating a 5 card major system in preference to a 4 card major system. As someone who has played 5 card majors for the last 25 years I would not disagree. However, it seems to me that some of the Suffolk team play a sub-optimal version. In particular I recommend the 2 over 1 system in preference to standard American. 2 over 1 has really taken over amongst the top players in the UK and the USA. If you want to learn more about 2 over 1 then I suggest you purchase a copy of Andrew Robson’s excellent new book ‘Strong and Fives’. In it he outlines a very logical rationale for the 2 over 1 system and suggests some other conventions that it is best to incorporate within a 5 card major system.
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9-HIGH PAIRS |
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We are sorry to advise that the 9-High Pairs event which was to be held at Highwoods, Colchester, on Sunday April 7 has been cancelled due to lack of entries.
Those who did enter have been advised and will have their entry fee reimbursed.
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CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS FINAL |
The Suffolk Bridge Championship Pairs FINAL will be held on Sunday April 21 at Elmswell (IP30 9UH) starting at 11.00am.
Click HERE or in the Menu on the left to see the list of qualifiers.
To help the organisers, all qualifiers are requested to complete the entry form identifying WHETHER OR NOT you plan to play. Thank you.
Entry fee is £10/head. Tea/coffee will be available but please bring your own lunch.
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SUFFOLK CLUBS |
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Do you want to find where to play Bridge in Suffolk or North Essex?
Click on the map above to open the INTERACTIVE MAP which shows details of Bridge Clubs in this area and links to their websites.
EBU-affiliated clubs in red and un-affiliated clubs in blue.
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CLARE BRIDGE CLUB SWISS PAIRS |
Clare Bridge Club Swiss Pairs
Sunday 5th May at 10:45 for 11am, Lavenham Village Hall
This is a blue pointed event and will be directed by Rob Richardson.
The cost is £17.50 per player, and includes a delicious sandwich lunch.
To enter, please apply (preferably) online by completing this form. Payment is by BACS or by post.
The postal address for payments is Clare Bridge Club 29A Friars St. Sudbury CO10 2AA.
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NATIONAL PAIRS REGIONAL QUALIFIER |
Competing in your regular club duplicate may have earned you a place in the National Pairs Regional Final on 24th March. Any pair that scored over 55% in a club game between 4th February and 17th February will be invited to enter in the Regional Final.
Click on National Pairs for more information
Obviously you can't compete in this competition if you are playing in the Teams of Four event at Elmswell!
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CAMBS & HUNTS SWISS PAIRS |
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Click HERE for the entry form.
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