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Top of The South News with Jenny Pomeroy
Great Week-end for Kaikoura and Westport
As if the dead of winter wasn’t cold enough, 4 Nelson players, Kath Orlowski, Lesley Rogers, Rosie Page and Barbara Gordon took themselves off to Alaska recently for a bridge cruise with Ron Klinger. They had a marvellous time, saw some wonderful sites and learnt heaps, some of which they immediately put into practice on their week’s stopover in Hawaii on the way home. Good on you ladies.
Intrepid is the theme for Top of the South, as for the first time Kaikoura hosted the Howorth Cup, bravely on their home turf. Seven of our eight clubs made the extended journey through the Lewis Pass and over the inland road for the weekend for a weekend of bridge, Kaikoura 5A Open on 20th May and the Howorth Cup on 21st. Great turnout on the Saturday, 23 tables which is impressive in itself, but I have since heard that the road south was closed as well so those from Christchurch also had a lengthened trip. Thanks Kaikoura for hosting us, especially under difficult circumstances and well done all those who made the journey.
And congratulations to Westport, who after a 43 year drought wrestled the cup from the bigger clubs in our region. It was a close match, down to a margin of just under three Victory Points. Westport inched into the lead in round 5 and held their nerve throughout the final round, playing steady bridge and according to Robin Young didn’t make any mistakes. Many congratulations to the Westport Teams of Ray Curnow, Pat Dolamore, Phil Rutherford and Jo Gear and Freda Herring, Wayne Smith, Wendy Coburn and Glenys Tyler. A Westport win has been very much on the cards for the last couple of years. So it is great to see the cup heading West to the smallest club in our Region. Is it there to stay?
Jane Stearns guests at Regional Conference
The Regional Conference was held on the Friday night, including a presentation from Jane Stearns on Retaining Members. This was Jane’s last club visit on her tour of Top of the South. She also visited Nelson and Golden Bay clubs, injecting her enthusiasm and ideas for improved play, attracting and retaining members and general club camaraderie. What a burst of energy and inspiration. Reading her blog I think it is safe to say that not only did she enjoy visiting our clubs, but also our region. Thanks Jane.
Our IP trials were held in mid May in Marlborough. There’s a few new faces across our four teams. Particular congratulations and welcome to Pam Whitehead and Stuart Grant from Kaikoura who make up our intermediate team with Wayne Smith and Val Mundy from Westport. Normally Pam and Stuart would have had an easy 1.5 hour potter up the road, but instead it was their turn to make the 7.5 hour detour and it is lovely to see them rewarded for their efforts.
Other tournament news………a clean sweep in the Diamonds grade for Westport in the Nelson Open on 10th June. Wendy Coburn and Glenys Tyler (7th overall); Laura Griffin and Pat Dolamore (12th overall) and Jill Ireland and Garry Howard (17th overall).
Nelson Open winners, Roger and Carol Minchin and in second place Maurice Carter and TonyOberdries
The tournament was won by Roger and Carol Minchin, with Maurice Carter and Tony Oberdries 2nd and Tony and Susan Hinkley 3rd.
Kaikoura Open on 20th May won by Peter and Elena Udy with Peter and Jenny Story 2nd and Robin Young and Carolyn Wood 3rd. Marlborough Junior and Intermediate Tournaments were held on 17 June, with Val Schimanski and Barbara Anderson and Bevan and Anne Bruce joint 1st in the Juniors and Harold Stevenson and Ann Baker 1st in the Intermediates and Reg Nichol and Jennifer Cunningham 2nd. Bev Gay did a marvellous job directing two tournaments simultaneously.
This coming weekend sees Richmond’s Swiss Pairs and as I am finally back playing, I will go armed with my camera. So, hopefully, I will bring you more photos in my next report.
Keep warm!
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