Dealer: E Vul: N/S
NORTH
♠ Q10
♥ J6532
♦ K2
♣ A832
WEST EAST
♠ J3 ♠ AK852
♥ A ♥ 107
♦ J109874 ♦ AQ3
♣ KJ65 ♣ Q94
SOUTH
♠ 9764
♥ KQ984
♦ 65
♣ 107
It was life in the fast lane for Monday winners Barbara Reid and David Moran. Their clear win was helped by a top score on Board 2. As dealer (East), Barbara opened with 1S to which David replied 2D, showing ten or more high card points. Barbara then, with her jump to 3NT, showed faith in her partner also having a stopper in hearts.
South’s lead of the four of hearts, though a little odd, did spell danger for declarer. The only route to nine tricks in no-trumps was to find North with the King of diamonds and for the defenders to hold just two diamonds each. Barbara then went fishing for the King by leading the Jack. All would be good if North covered with the King. The Ace would win the trick and six diamond tricks to go with two spades and the Ace of hearts. If the King did not appear the correct play would be to overtake with the Queen and then cash the Ace. Barbara duly won her six diamonds and then switched to the top spades. As South had been kind enough to discard spades under the diamond onslaught Barbara made an extra trick in spades. 430 was good enough to beat the 420 available in 4S.
Results, 15/09/25 (4 & 1/2-table Howell) N. Collins M. Simpson (75.00) 1; M. Fox K. Barnett (66.0) 2; J. Nankervis P. Kelly (58.2) 3. Friday, 19/09/25 No results available. Monday, 22/09/25 (4-table Howell): B. Reid D. Moran (61.9) 1; J. Nankervis P. Kelly (57.1) 2; C. Duggan S. Goddard (54.2) 3; J. Smith N. McGinness (51.2) 4.
