8^th is Getting Closer.

Two Kiwi teams continued excellent winning runs. While for the Bridge Blacks, the realistic aim is a top 8 finish, for our Seniors, all that can be achieved is respectability. Five wins in a row now for the Bridge Masters who ended the day with two countries below them, an unusual experience in their competition. Two excellent wins including against 5^th placed Poland have lifted our Open team to 10^th, their highest position since round 1.
The Bridge Ferns were in a very competitive position after their win over France but their two losses look as though the top 8 will not be achieved. They are 37vps behind 8^th place. No winning joy for the Mixed Blacks with 18^th looking like as high as they can achieve.

 

      Open (Bridge Blacks)                                                                 Women (Bridge Ferns)

Match	Opponents	imps	NZ Vps	NZ Position		Match	Opponents	imps	NZ vps	NZ pos.
16.	USA 2	48-9	17.97	11th		16.	France	32-20	13.28	14th
17.	India	27-29	9.39	11th		17.	Brazil	30-54	4.26	15th
18.	Poland	33-10	15.56	10th		18.	Canada	20-56	2.41	16th

 

Seniors (Bridge Masters)                                                   Mixed (Mixed Blacks)

Match	Opponents	imps	NZ Vps	NZ Position		Match	Opponents	imps	NZ vps	NZ pos.
16.	England	46-19	16.26	23rd		16.	France	16-54	2.15	20th
17.	Canada	38-27	13.04	22nd		17.	Australia	29-33	8.80	20th
18.	UAE	41-18	15.56	22 nd		18.	Sweden	22-44	4.62	20th

 

Bach-Cornell did well to find a 5 sacrifice to earn the Bridge Blacks a big swing against USA 2.

 

Ashley, South, got his heart suit into the auction enabling the 5 sacrifice to be made. This contract was just one down doubled, the best result the Americans could achieve as only 10 tricks were realistically available in spades. Matt Brown scored 620 in that contract in the other room.

The Bridge Blacks have three teams in the lower half of the table next, China Hong Kong, Singapore and Argentina before a tough final day sees them up against Italy and Netherlands. Much to play for.

  Our Open Team may be cheering on the All Blacks against South Africa. All Kiwi bridge fans
will hope the above team can continue on their excellent run in Wuhan.

Although beaten at both tables in the Bridge Masters’ match against England, the following 4 was made by most declarers:

 

As South, Brian Mace conducted an interesting defence in which he only played his winning trump when he was ready.

He led a high heart which was won in dummy. Declarer played a spade to the ace and a second round to dummy’s 9. Brian ducked that and ducked again on the third round of the suit. Next came a losing diamond finesse… but still that K stayed firmly in Brian’s hand. He exited with another high heart to East’s king. When East played his club, Brian was there with the K and was able to cash two heart winners to defeat the contract. Nicely defended.

The inferences one draws

There was not a lot of joy for the Mixed Blacks on this day but a combined effort of a sub-minimum bid at one table and some good card-reading at the other combined to get 10 imps for the Kiwis in their match against Sweden.

 

Annette was just a little light for her 1 response though the effect of this bid seemed to tie her opponents in knots. They eventually subsided in part-score, making an overtrick.

Alan Grant took a much more practical “tell ‘em nothing" approach to his partner’s take-out double of a Precision 1. With South quiet, he closed the bidding with a swift 3NT.  North led 10 to dummy’s queen. Alan took stock. If North held KQJ, they might well have led that suit. Therefore, he not only placed a high spade card in the South hand, but because of the opening lead, the J as well.

If South held the Q too, they may well have been in the bidding. So, it seemed North, the opening bidder, would have the Q. So, no finesse and when the Q appeared at the duly requested time, Alan could give up a heart trick and emerge with 11 tricks in all. All the Kiwis played their part in that swing, not the least Alan’s partner, Jane Lennon, who produced a couple of rather useful club honours when Alan needed them most!

Richard Solomon

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