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Day 5 at Marrakesh: Our Open Team stay in contention.

Two losses and one win may not seem that good an outcome for our Open Team on Day 5 but the losses, against strong opposition, were by just 2 and 6 imps while a great result was recorded against lowly United Arab Emirates. Indeed, after that win, the Kiwis had risen to 4^th place though finished the day 7^th, 5.25 vps ahead of 9^th position and only 3 vps behind 5^th. With matches against Israel, USA2 and Chile to come next, they are very much in the mix. Their first two opponents are in the top 6 while Chile are way down in 23^rd place.

New Zealand Results
Open			imps		vps		position
United Arab Emirates			63-15		18.97		4
USA1			31-33		9.39		6
Norway			45-51		8.24		7
Women
Brazil			15-58		1.56		12
Sweden			21-35		6.25		13
USA 1			32-58		3.91		15
Mixed
USA 2			6 -74		0.00		20
Singapore			55-40		13.97		18
Romania			21-48		3.74		20

 

Unfortunately, another tough day for our other two teams. At least, the Mixed Team ended a run of bad losses with that victory over Singapore. We can hope for a better day next when they take on 16^th placed Israel and 2 of the bottom 4, United Arab Emirates and Barbados.

hoping for better results

 
That's the New Zealand Mixed Team of Clair Miao,Wayne Burrows, Jenny Millington, 
Barry Jones, Mindy Wu, Mariusz Tumilowicz and npc GeO Tislevoll

Meanwhile, our Women’s team take on mid table Israel, lowly Morocco and 3^rd placed Turkey.

Both Open pairs did well on the following board against United Arab Emirates:

 

 

1NT was 12-14 and 2 a transfer. 2 was a super-accept perhaps looking for help in that suit. Michael Ware then retransferred (3) and there matters rested. South had the opportunity to double 3 for take-out but was probably not too worried as 3 failed by 3 tricks (-150).

However, they had not counted on more aggressive opponents at the other table.

 

 

In a still live auction, Matt Brown did well to double 2 for take-out. His lack of hearts prevented a double a round earlier. Michael Whibley, too, liked his hand. 3 said that and while showing spade tolerance, denied four spades.

Matt could tell that 4 would not be a good prospect as he would likely be forced to ruff a heart at trick 2. So, he bid 4NT, showing both minors and Michael had no problem choosing clubs.

With trumps 2-2, spades 3-3 and the diamond finesse working, 11 tricks proved easy, thus gaining New Zealand 10 well-earned imps.

The minor suits offered some good slam opportunities on this day.

 

What would your next action be on the above hand? If you tried a 4 splinter, your partner just might find a great cue-bid for you:

 

South does not have a lot but they do have a great club holding opposite a strong minor-suited hand. Matt Brown and Michael Whibley found a way to reach 6 which was bid by only 8 of the 24 pairs in the Open field. That was 10 imps in when the USA pair made 12 tricks in 3NT.

This next one was not quite so cold but was easy to play for 12 tricks, if you got there:

It is a long way to 6 after North starts with a weak 1NT and East bids to show both majors and just as far after 1 from North and 2 from East showing the majors.

6 pairs did find a way to reach slam though both pairs in the Norway- New Zealand match played in 5 making an overtrick. At least both pairs avoided the 3NT trap, a contract down on the likely heart lead.

Another day today, three more matches and hopefully some good results for the Kiwis.

Richard Solomon

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