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by Richard Solomon

Those who say that bridge is just something one’s grandmother plays have not been to the Howick-Pakuranga area recently. There is plenty of bridge being played there by those who are still at school.

The main activity has centred on Macleans College and its “feeder” school, Bucklands Beach Intermediate. Currently, in a typical week, there are 60-70 students playing either bridge or mini-bridge. The Macleans’ students are getting hooked on the game big-time and as well as playing during school lunch-breaks twice a week, are playing at the recently started Auckland Youth Bridge Group and have formed teams to take part in the National Youth Teams on the day before the National Congress. Some have also joined the Howick Bridge Club while at least twelve will be coming to New Zealand Bridge’s Youth Bridge Weekend in Wellington in August. Some are also playing on-line. They are keen.

 

_{Who needs a table? Not these keen mini-bridge players at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School}

At the Intermediate School, a group of older students are learning bridge while 20-30 of the younger students are playing mini-bridge. Many of these students will move on to Macleans College where they can continue to play bridge…and of course, they will already know the basics. Add this to the group playing at Pakuranga College and we have the nucleus of a strong bridge group emerging in this part of Auckland.

How does this happen and could it happen elsewhere? The answer to the second question is “yes” if the conditions that occur in the Howick-Pakuranga area are met. One is a very enthusiastic teacher and another is equally enthusiastic helpers. At Macleans, Lance is both a teacher on the staff and a bridge player. He is devoting a lot of his time into encouraging and helping the students learn and play. He ran a course based on the New Zealand Bridge website Beginners’ Lessons on 10 Sunday mornings at school earlier this year with 5-6 tables each time.

 

A typical lunch-time session at Macleans College.

  At the other schools, the teaching has been done by outsiders coming into the schools though at both schools, there have been “friendly” members of staff, members of the Howick Bridge Club, to encourage and offer support. Many thanks to Neil, Susan, Kaye and of course Lance as well those others who are helping to create a bridge environment in this area. We must also remember the staff of the schools who are allowing this to happen and who understand the benefits that bridge can bring to those receiving their education.

Maybe you could get schools bridge going in your area. These are not the only schools where the game is being taught and played but this is the only area to establish that unique link between Intermediate and Secondary Schools, which should enable the continuance and growth of the game at this level. If you can help, contact me on richard.solomon@nzbridge.co.nz and I will try and help you if possible. 

I said they were getting good, too. The following two hands were played very recently by students from Macleans College. I wonder how many older players, new to the game, would have found the following plays to make their contracts. Firstly, here is Tim Pan, doubled in 6♦.

	North
Dealer  North	♠ AKJ976
Vul.  Nil	♥ 4
	♦ 752
West	♣ A95	East
♠ 85432		♠ Q10
♥ A98		♥  J1076532
♥ 43		♦  6
♣ 874	South	♣  KJ3
	♠ -
	♥ KQ
	♦ AKQJ1098
	♣ Q1062

 

The bidding was lengthy.but the play’s the thing. West led the ♥A and switched to the ♣4 (the defence was good, too). Tim rose with the ace and cashed the top two spades (ruffing a spade first might some days have given him more chance, though no matter this time). He then drew two rounds of trumps and found the key play of ruffing the winning ♥K to get back to dummy to discard his remaining little club on the ♠J. Good thinking.

A few days later, at the Youth Bridge Group, Macleans College student, Sheryl Luo, ended up as declarer in 5♣x on the following. Her opponents were two recent New Zealand Women’s and Youth international representatives, Rebecca Wood and Andi Boughey:

	North
Dealer  South	♠ KQ1087
Vul.  Nil	♥ 53
	♦ K4
West	♣ Q987	East
♠ AJ94		♠ 6532
♥ 872		♥ QJ96
♦A6		♦ 10987
♣ 6543	South	♣ 10
	♠-
	♥H AK104
	♦ QJ532
	♣ AKJ2

   

West              North                        East                South

                                                                        1♦

Pass                1♠                   Pass                3♣

Pass                5♣                  Pass                Pass

x                      All Pass

The lead was a heart to the jack and king. Two high trumps from hand exposed the annoying break. A diamond to the king was followed by the ♠K with declarer discarding a heart as West won one ace and then played a second ace before exiting another heart. Sheryl cashed the high ♥10 discarding a spade from dummy. Next came a high diamond ruffed and over-ruffed, a high spade, spade ruff and two high trumps scoring for the last two trumps as West under-ruffed at trick 13: a well-played hand.

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