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Northland News with Tania Brown
Greeting once again from the Winterless North. I shouldn't say totally without winter as we have had two frosts and when it rains... it really rains.
On the Bridge front we have been Busy Busy Busy.
New World 5A in Paihia
First was the New World 5A in Paihia. I cannot stress how generous New World Kerikeri are to Northland Bridge. They sponsored two tournaments this year, one in Paihia and one in Kerikeri. $200 first, $150 second, $100 third and $50 fourth as well as Top Junior pair and Top Intermediate pair in both tournaments.
Taking it away this year were Patsy and Lee Walters, who took top in the Open section. Sandra Hollis and Patrick Costello finished as top Intermediate and Chris Williams and David Winslow as top Juniors for the day. 
First overall: Lee and Patsy Walters Top Intermediates: Patrick Costello Top Juniors: Chris Williams and
and Sandra Hollis David Winslow
(with Paihia Club representative, Roger Topliss)
Dargaville Sunday Open/Intermediate Pairs
Next was the Sunday tournament in Dargaville. A ground breaker as a Sunday tournament for us up North. However, it was still well attended. Bruce and Isobel Thom (one of our newly wed pairs) took this one out. The strange thing, and isnt that Bridge, is they got 63.99% in the afternoon as East/West while Margaret Hooson and Richard Bland as North/South also got 63.99% in the afternoon session. The difference was Bruce and Isobel were propelled into first while Margaret and Richard had to make do with 3rd. Congratulations to Jerry Varney and Pam Rope who took out the Intermediate event and Tonni Keijzer and Lyn Nelson who were top Junior players.
Newly weds and 1st overall,Bruce and Top Intermediates: Jerry Varney and Top Juniors: Tonni Keijzer and Lyn Nelson
Isobel Thom Pam Rope
( also featured is Dargaville's Peter Ball)
Wylie Salvor
Then we had the Wylie Salvor. This is the competition which sees the Northland clubs fight it out amongst themselves for the fabulous silver tray that is the Wylie. Whangarei have had this in their posession for many years but now it's now up for grabs. Coming second in two matches on June 29 mean that Whangarei are no longer in contention and any of Dargaville, Paihia or Kerikeri will have their name on it this year. Whangarei lost to Paihia by 1imp over 28 boards but that's how it is. NZ Cricket..I feel for you.
KeriKeri New World Pairs
Last but certainly not least was aother sponsored tournament by New World. This time in Kerikeri. Well attended as another $200 prize money for the winners as well as 5A points. "Burglers" (sorry the winners) from Auckland were Russell and Leslie Watt who won the tournament and racked up two in a row for this one. Yes, they won the same event last year. Top Intermediates were Sue Skarupsky and Sue Hunt. 
"Burglers fromthe South", Russell and Leslie Watt with KeriKeri's Anna Chappell
Grand Masters on the Horizon
Northland is also set to welcome two new grandmasters to its list very soon. Given we only have one at the moment (Patsy Walters), John McIntosh needs just 1.11 more A points and Neil Ruddell needs another 8.29. Dont be surprised if you see either of these players in your club very soon.
Asia Pacific Bridge Federation medal for Matthew
And guess what this is? It takes pride of place in a very proud mother's china cabinet. Yes, it is the medal (or rock as its is more like) that the silver medalists in the APBF came home with after their time in Singapore. I am very lucky to have seen this first hand and even luckier the winner does not yet have his own china cabinet in which to display it.
We are also really pleased, this Round Up, to have had a contribution from Sue Brown, Kerikeri Bridge Club.
KeriKeri holds Novice Pairs
On Sunday 14th July Kerikeri Bridge Club ran its first Novice Tournament which was a great success. 16 novice players (some of whom have only just finished their lesson course) met in one of the committee member's homes for a one session “tournament”. Paihia Club novices were invited to the afternoon and one Paihia player came and fitted in well. They could enter with or without a partner (those without were teamed up) but they all had to be novices. Juniors weren’t allowed. The object of the afternoon was to further their enthusiasm for the game which would hopefully encourage the participants to play at more Club sessions and tournaments and to get to know the game and the other novice players in a relaxed social setting.
They played without “cheat” sheets, scored on tablets with the usual scoring used by the Club and, along with a longer bridge session than they usually play enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea supplied by the Committee and a glass of wine or beer with nibbles at the end of play.
All the players thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon on a wet Sunday and would like to see more (and they probably will!) and it definitely met the objectives of the day.
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