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The covid-19 lockdown affected almost our total population for the best part of 3 months.  Die-hard bridge players were really keen to take part in normal club and tournament competition and like many organisations were impatient for “level 1” to happen.  This came to pass in mid-June and the bridge world in New Zealand returned to the tables with joyful sound!  Understandably, many players were a little hesitant at first but numbers have now returned to about the same level as prior to March 25th.  At last Friday’s social bridge session at Wanganui, there were18 tables in play and 19 tables gathered for the Alzheimer’s charity tournament held on Sunday. Three tables were filled by visitors from surrounding clubs, Feilding being prominent. Thank you all for your support.

Bridge hygiene for now…or maybe any time?

Being at “Level 1” is by no means the equivalent of being at “Square 1”.  It’s merely one step lower than being at “Level 2”. We need to still keep our distance and we need to also keep in mind the hygiene recommendations.  If you “tune in” to all the hacking and coughing that happens during the sessions, you will be unpleasantly surprised at just how complacent some players have become.  Now here’s a barb for some of the males in our clubs... My personal distaste is to see someone drag out of his pocket a scrunched-up piece of fabric (might be a handkerchief!) that’s been used 35 times already and make a half-hearted attempt to stifle a cough or sneeze and then push it back into his pocket, ready for the next occasion!  What about using tissues?  These were recommended right from the start!  ...and don’t put the tissue back into your pocket .. toss it into a rubbish bin immediately! Here endeth the lesson for today!

National Open Pairs

The National Pairs was held at Palmerston North last weekend and attracted a high-class field of 42 pairs.  If you score a 70% in a session of the qualifying rounds, you are always going to be hard to beat. Charles and Anthony Ker turned in a 70.31 in the third round, preceded by a 57 and a 53. This gave them a 9% lead over Blair Fisher and George Masters, followed by the Wellington pair of John Luoni and John Patterson.  The Ker brothers held on during the Finals stage to win the National Pairs for 2020 - but only just! Patrick D’Arcy/Graeme Norman were only 0.19% away and only 0.24% behind them were Alan Grant/Jane Lennon. Jo and Sam Simpson were right there as well - just 0.40% away in 4th place. Less than 1% covered the first four pairs!  Congratulations to all 8 players... excellent competition. A 4-way tie would have been a fitting result!

                                                      The top 3 in a very tight finish

   
1st : Charles and Anthony Ker                   2nd: Pat D'Arcy and Graeme Norman             3rd: Jane Lennon and Alan Grant

 

The Plate competition was a little more clear-cut. The young Auckland pair, Kevin Hu and Zachary Yan had a 2% lead over David O’Shaughnessy/John O’Connor with a further 2% back to the third place-getters Moss Wylie/Russell Dive. 

     

Zachary Yan and Kevin Hu                       Johnny Davidson and Martin Oyston       Alan Doddridge..concentrating on the
                                                                 agree on a score                                     camera and not on his next bid!

The Consolation Pairs competition featured a “Peter” in the first three placings; Peter Benham and Brian Cleaver had a narrow win over Peter Ramsey/Noel Woodhall with Peter Hensman/Bruce Inglis in 3rd position.

 Wanganui Open Swiss Pairs:

The popularity of Swiss Pairs was again emphasised when a field of 44 pairs entered for the second running of the Wanganui Open with Swiss Pairs scoring.  Established partnerships were to the fore in this event. The New Plymouth pairing of Sandra Calvert and Pamela Livingston had a big win over the Hawke’s Bay’s Peter Ramsey/Noel Woodhall with the evergreen Evelyn and Bob Hurley in 3rd place. 

   
Pam Livingston and Sandra Calvert             Peter Ramsey and Noel Woodhall

 

Feilding Charity Pairs 5^th July:

Fifteen tables are a full house in the Feilding clubrooms and the annual charity tournament for the Regional Helicopter Rescue Service was once again fully subscribed. A 12% winning margin is a huge gap and George Masters/John Pitts blitzed the field while leaving 10 Grand Masters in their wake.  Mike Park/Andrew Kirkpatrick averaged 63.99 and would have been easy winners themselves 49 times out of 50 but on this occasion, they had to be content with a distant 2nd .. but well ahead of the 3rd place-getters who were Peter Ramsey and Bev Penny.

     
John Pitts and George Masters  Mike Park and Andrew Kirkpatrick              Bev Penny and Peter Ramsey

 

Hawera Intermediate and Junior Pairs 26^th July:

It was very pleasing to see 12 tables for the Hawera Intermediate and 7 tables of Juniors taking part. 

In the Intermediate section John Warner and Pamela Jensen averaged 60% per session and had a 2% margin over Ian Greenbank/Brian Needham with Jill Burroughs/Justine Hart in 3rd place.

In the Junior tournament, the Palmerston North pairing of Grant Elliott and Terry Young had a narrow victory over Hawera locals, Marie Rowland/Jill Dunlop with Janise Gray/Breeda Hawke’s close up in 3rd position.

 

VALE:Alister Buchanan

Alister, celebrating a bridge success with Carolyn Yeomans

Most players of long-standing in the Central Districts region will have known Alister Buchanan either as a playing partner or as an opponent. Sadly, Alister succumbed to cancer on 9th June, one day after his 76th birthday.  Back in 1985, Alister learnt to play bridge at Dannevirke. On retiring to Taradale, he joined the Napier Bridge Club and quickly became an indispensable member. He served two terms as President and was at the forefront of the IT requirements of the club. For the last 4 years, he ran “Friendly Friday” sessions for beginner players. 

Alister was awarded Life Membership of the Napier Bridge Club in recognition of his massive contribution to all aspects of the Club’s activities. He became a Grand Master in 2012.  Alister put great energy into his enthusiasm for the game of bridge. He had served on the Central Districts Regional Committee and for 16 years was Treasurer of the Hawke’s Bay Bridge Congress Committee. In all of his administrative roles, Alister was meticulous and efficient.  He represented Central Districts in their Seniors team at the Inter-Provincial finals 4 times. He won a Zelda Morris (10A) Pairs, was 2nd in a NZ Seniors Pairs and reached a semi-final in a NZ Rubber Bridge event. 

As a player, a Director, an administrator and as a gentleman, Alister Buchanan will be missed by many. To his wife, Noeline and to the family, we extend sincere sympathy. 

 

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