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Day 5. It’s Tough Downstairs.

Although a glitch in the event website seemed to have dramatically incorrectly increased New Zealand’s score, along with that of every other country, Day 5 seemed to be a replica of Day 1, with four big losses. Yet, the day had started so promisingly….

Opposition	Imp score	New Zealand vp score
Australia	30-54	3.97
Sweden	19-59	1.59
Chinese Taipei	18-32	6.04
China Hong Kong	7-53	0.92

 

Round 15 v Australia

This match was a repeat of the match the previous day against Egypt when New Zealand staged a great recovery. This match also saw a great recovery but, unfortunately, it was by Australia! The Bridge Jacks got off to a huge start and led 26-0 after just three boards, thanks to some sensible conservative bidding on behalf of Zachary and Vincent and then a fine opportunistic bid from Brad:

 

After his partner’s aggressive pre-empt, Brad did not know whether the opposition should be in game, small slam or even grand slam. He decided to let them work it out at the 6 level! Who could blame Jamie Thompson, East, from passing up a + 500 penalty and go for slam. Indeed, until he called for a small heart from dummy and Brad discarded, he would have been expecting to write down + 1430.

However, on this day, Brad had judged it just right an it was 13 imps to New Zealand when Zachary and Vincent played 5, rather fortuitously.

Alas three disastrous boards were soon to follow with the Australians gaining 44 imps in these three boards. In all three cases overbidding was the problem, twice to slam.

WHERE ARE THEY?

The perrenial worry of an npc, especially of a Youth Team. It's OK, Douglas. There is still 30 seconds
before the match is due to start!

Round 16 v Sweden

Board 5 was excellent for both New Zealand pairs:

 

Brad and Nik bid well to reach 6 played by Nik as South. He received a spade lead and made an overtrick. 6 or 6NT are great contracts when played by South though the Swedish pair finished in 6NT from the North seat…and Zachary did what he had to do by finding a club lead to earn New Zealand 17 imps. Unfortunately, 17 imps went back the other way a few boards later.

 

Nik was in the spotlight playing 6 from the South seat on the 3 lead. Even if South cashes the second diamond at trick 3 after unblocking the K, it looks like he can survive the ruff. Say West continues with Q, declarer has to cash three rounds of spades before he ruffs a diamond or else West discards a spade.

So, win the heart with the A, cash AQ discarding a heart and a diamond and return to hand with a heart ruff. Now ruff the diamond and draw trumps. Alas, Nik failed by a trick. Meanwhile, 6NT looks tough on the Q lead unless South plays A on the first round of the suit. There are, though, squeeze opportunities against both defenders and the end result was 12 tricks and 17 imps to Sweden.

                               WHO IS THE CAPTAIN?

Can you see which is Douglas? Team members enjoy their meal but the captain, Douglas Russell, has far more serious matters
on his mind!

Round 17 v Chinese Taipei

Although New Zealand scored a slam swing, two 19 point cold games were bid by our opponents. The problem in one case was that it was doubled making an overtrick.

Round 18 v China Hong Kong

A match when little went right for the Bridge Jacks. There were some big swings on the following board in many of the matches when a few declarers went to 7 and failed to lay down the A on the first round of trumps or else decided to ruff a spade too early.

 

That’s a great grand to bid and with diamonds breaking favourably, our opponents were rewarded with 17 imps with game being played at the other table.

Let’s hope our team can find some joy on the last day of their main competition when they take on Chile, USA2 and Italy. They lie 21^st with only Canada in their sight.

Richard Solomon

 

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