Dealer: N Vul: Nil
NORTH
♠ A76543
♥ 10
♦ KQ63
♣ 107
WEST EAST
♠ J10 ♠ KQ
♥ J9764 ♥ AK532
♦ 102 ♦ A987
♣ J985 ♣ J3
SOUTH
♠ 982
♥ Q8
♦ J54
♣ AKQ64
A whole book has been written about the power of shape and the value of long suits in bridge hands. On Board 1 last Friday Sandra Head and Jenny Loy took advantage of North’s long spade suit, as well as a singleton heart to make 4S, despite missing four of the top cards in spades. North/South and East/West traded bids in spades and hearts until Sandra (Norh) won the auction in 4S. It was not going to matter that East/West had nearly as many honour cards as North/South. East/West’s strength in hearts would be worth only one trick.
As declarer, Sandra took stock after East led the Ace of hearts. Because one trick had to be lost to Aces in hearts and diamonds, spade losers had to be limited to one – a tall order. East then predictably continued with the King of hearts, which Sandra trumped. Now came the moment of truth. The Ace of spades was led, on which the defenders played the ten of spades and the Queen. A spade continuation brought relief to declarer as the King and Jack both appeared. The highest spade was now the eight in dummy. East was back on lead with only the Ace of diamonds as a winner. After conceding that Ace, declarer had no more losers. Ten tricks were made for a top score of 420.
Results, Monday, 07/07/25 (4-table Howell): N. Collins P. Campbell (72.6) 1l R. Hart H. Price (54.2) 2; P. Kelly J. Nankervis (50.6) 3. Friday, 11/07/25 (4-table Mitchell): N/S S. Head J. Loy (54.2) 1; N. Bonnell V. Prentice (53.0) 2. E/W L. Don P. Kelly (54.8) 1; W. Milne J. Sipple (50.6) 2.
