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It would be very rare that we give pride of place to the result of a 3A Open Pairs event but today is that day.

Winners of the event, the Auckland Club’s 3A Billie Tohill Open Pairs,  held on 26^th August, were none other than the Mt Albert Club’s KC Lee and Arch Jelley.

Last year, we celebrated Arch’s 100^th birthday and now at the age of 101, he has recorded a win in a 3A competition.

 
KC and Arch celebrate their victory along with with Auckland Bridge Club 
President, Neil Stuckey. Guess who made the victory speech? Why, Arch, of course. 

The win in itself is quite a feat but let’s just have a look at the level of player he was up against. In the 16 pair field, there was a New Zealand Open, a Senior and Women’s international. There were also a Gold and two Silver Grandmasters. This was no easy competition.

Arch and KC also won both sessions as well as winning overall. In total, 52 boards were played requiring a high level of concentration over about a 6-hour period.

Arch has hit the headlines in the past as a top international athletics coach. His achievement in winning this event at the age of 101 is also a great achievement.

Well, we just have to show you one deal.

Arch was North and after a strong opening by KC got to be declarer in 6NT. East selected an attacking J opening lead and Arch scored the queen at trick 1. Eventually, he could take the heart finesse to make all 13 tricks. Only 3 of the 8 North-South pairs were in 6NT and only one other made all 13 tricks.

Congratulations, Arch, on your win….a lovely outcome.

Richard Solomon

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