Dealer: W Vul: N/S
NORTH
♠ AKQ9754
♥ J
♦ K3
♣ Q92
WEST EAST
♠ 10863 ♠ J2
♥ 1063 ♥ 6
♦ Q76 ♦ A9854
♣ AK4 ♣ J10853
SOUTH
♠ —
♥ AKQ98742
♦ J102
♣ 76
The Bridge Club welcomed several players from Goondiwindi last Friday. This boosted out numbers and provided a pleasant afternoon for all. Both N/S winners, Noela Collins and Mavis Simpson and E/W winners Hilary Price and Nea McGinness did well on Board 28. Look at what happens when partners bid against one another.
At four of the seven tables, North played in 4S, while at the other tables South was allowed to play in the par contract of 4H. At Hilary’s table, North opened 1S, although 4S would not have been unusual. Hilary overcalled 2NT, an artificial bid showing five diamonds, five clubs and less than opening points. South jumped straight to 4H. North, unable to visualise South’s hand, converted to 4S. Hilary made the killing lead of the six of hearts. North should have won with the Jack, then played on trumps. Instead, North won in dummy and played a second heart. Hilary trumped with the two of spades and it was downhill from there for North/South. Sitting North/South Noela and Mavis also played in 4S but received the unusual lead of the four of diamonds. West’s Queen was won by North. The three top trumps were played and declarer still had the Jack of hearts to lead to dummy. Three top hearts were cashed, allowing declarer to discard a diamond and a club from hand. From there the defenders could win only three tricks: two clubs and the 10 of spades.
Results, Monday, 02/02/26 (4 & 1/2-table Howell): P, Campbell D. Moran (60.8) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (57.9) 2; C. Duggan S. Goddard (57.6) 3. Friday, 06/02/26 (7-table Mitchell): N/S N. Collins M. Simpson (67.9) 1; J. Smith R. Hart (61.5) 2; C. Duggan P. Kelly (59.0) 3. E/W H. Price N. McGinness (68.1) 1; W. Milne J. Sipple (57.3) 2; L. Don T. Hinde (49.7) 3.
