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The weekend of 27th/28th October was certainly a worthwhile one bridgewise in Auckland this year. The Auckland Club itself ran its own excellent Wes Dodd event on the Saturday though while that was taking place, and for many hours either side, there were very worthwhile bridge happenings at the Royle Epsom Bridge Club.

  This club staged a 24 hour bridge marathon in aid of breast cancer and raised just over $7000, a huge amount. Throughout the 24 hours, 138 bridge players came to play.  Some stayed for one session and others for two or three or more.  Seven played for the full 24 hours… hardy souls . It was an exceptionally happy event and the support club owner Angela Royle received she described as wonderful.  So many players donated time and prizes and generally helped make it a big success.

 The quietest session was 3 am to 6 am – no surprises there. Those playing had a fun and hearty time with breakfast at the end.     Angela commented that "Bridge is a truly fabulous game and holding an event like this creates a wonderful atmosphere.  Our youngest ‘dummy’ was aged five!  He came along for an hour to support his mum and also helped with the raffle!"

Angela also started a "Give A Little" Page and also received a donation from the New Zealand Bridge Foundation. This was Angela's fourth such Bridge Marathon which have raised over $24,000 for various charities.

 
A pink kind of day at the Royle Epsom Club with the boards and Maureen Nelson, Fleur Tisdale and
Carolyn Patterson very much colour coded.

"Halloween Pairs" at Auckland Bridge Club

 Meanwhile, it was back to the Auckland Bridge Club on the following morning to see something of the future of our game with 24 students from six schools take part in the "Halloween Pairs". The atmosphere was relaxed as the director, Pat Carter, guided the players through about 20 boards (some did not quite compete all the boards). It was the second such school Pairs event held in the Auckland area this year.

A pizza and chips lunch was provided for all though the pizzas were just saved from being devoured by those at a Samoan birthday party being held downstairs at the club....wrong directions having been given to the pizza company!

 

Plenty of thought. We hope that it is not an Acol 2 bid which has been passed out!

Two pairs managed 70+% scores, Liya Lai - Kevin Hu and Chelsea Mao - Tony Ren though the day was more about participating than winning. However, there were chocolate prizes for those who scored well..except that one player chose the pumpkin which held centre place for the Halloween  event on the prize table in preference to the sweet prizes, an interesting selection!

             
Once Were Pizzas!                                                Eric Wang and Eric Fang with the "prize pumpkin"

 
   top scorers of the day: Liya Lai and Kevin Hu

 

Richard Solomon

 

 

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