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Hello from the saturated Waikato Bays – autumn is turning up perfect weather to stay in and play bridge although driving any great distance can be treacherous.

Highlights from the past few months include the IP trials which had good representation from our intermediate contenders as well as 20 pairs vying for places in the Open, Women and Senior teams.   There were a few surprises and nice to see some pairs being selected for the first time to represent the Waikato Bays in Wellington.

                       

Open Team: Bruce Inglis, Tom Henwood                        Intermediate Team: Brian Sullivan, Brian Gallaher, 

Linley Hay and Tom Winiata                                           Bren Birss and Pamela Pedersen

                    

Women's Team: Judy Pawson, Christine and             Seniors' Team: Tony Hacking, Pat Rutherford, 

Jenna Gibbons and Kate Terry                                   Rachelle Pelkman and Murray Wood

There was also an increase in the Rubber Bridge competition whereby 20 pairs participated in this year's Rubber Bridge competition and we smugly feel that it is only a matter of time before we overtake Wellington or Auckland-Northland in getting the highest participation across all the regions😊.

Lessons and improver sessions are being held in clubs large and small across the region.   Feedback has been that there has been an increase in learners and clubs are confident that they will gain additional members as a result of their efforts.  We will have a clearer picture of the membership trends over the next few months.

Junior and Intermediate Leagues

The Intermediate and Junior leagues have also kicked off with individuals vying to accumulate points on the ladder for both participation and for success (final placing and a bonus point each for turning up, getting over 50% average for day or winning a session outright).   After two events in the Junior league,Te Aroha duo Victor Kooter and Charlotte Jager are jointly tied for top position while there is a three way tie for top spot in the Intermediate league after three events;  Carol Cullen and Mike Nicholson from Mt Maunganui along with Karen Thomson of Hamilton.

                   

Matamata Junior Pairs winners, Victor Kooter           Taupo Intermediate Pairs winners, Mike Nicholson

and Charlotte Jager with event sponsor,                    and Carol Cullen surrounding Ross Turnbull

  Joanne Morgan.                                                      General Manager of Bayley's Real Estate, Westerman Reality Ltd

                                                                                  who have sponsored the event for many years.

Finally, a hand to ponder

The Waikato Area Pairs (WAP) is a 5A tournament played as a series of 6 sessions in clubs around the Waikato.   It is generally a walk-in event which keeps the director (usually Dallas Dagg) on her toes wondering exactly how many people will walk in the door which depending on the weather and timing can be anything between 14 – 21 tables. 

WAP winners, Kevin Whyte and Herman Yuan

Previous WAP managers had the nous and energy to provide a commentary on the day's play which was highly regarded … the current WAP manager is sadly lacking in both so instead initiated a new concept which puts onus on the winners to provide some wisdom or insight into their success on the day.  Winners at the Matamata WAP in the weekend were Herman Yuan and Kevin Whyte … and thus it was Herman who provided the commentary on one board in the afternoon session where he details his cunning squeeze.

 Only half the tables reached 4 and only at 3 of these tables did  North get the maximum 11 tricks.

At all the tables, the opening lead was a diamond. Win the lead with A and run the J, draw trumps and play K. West wins their ace, cashes a high diamond and exits in clubs or hearts. A club can be discarded on J. These cards remain (exit from West was a heart):

 

At this stage, North should hope the East hold the 10 and length in clubs (not unreasonable as West overcalled in diamonds.).

Don't be tempted to ruff the dummy's last heart as it will be the threat card.  Play a trump to North hand and play the last trump. East can throw their diamond on the first trump, a club on the second but has no answer when the last trump is played.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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