Dealer: S Vul: E/W
NORTH
♠ Q753
♥ J53
♦ J9862
♣ 9
WEST EAST
♠ K ♠ J94
♥ 10764 ♥ AKQ92
♦ Q7 ♦ 543
♣ AQ6542 ♣ 87
SOUTH
♠ A10862
♥ 6
♦ AK10
♣ KJ102
The opening lead can be the most important play in attempting to defeat a contract. Last Friday, four out of five North/South pairs played in 4S by South, which should make exactly the ten tricks needed. At one table, West led the Queen of diamonds, which immediately set up the whole suit for declarer. The seven of diamonds was the choice at another table. This at least could be defended as being deceptive, but in practice allowed declarer to win with the ten and also gave declarer control of the suit. Len Don took full advantage of this lead to win eleven tricks and to achieve a 100 per cent result on this deal. Yet another choice was the Ace of clubs, which simply served to promote declarer’s King. It was left to the experienced pair of Noela Collins and Mavis Simpson to mount an accurate defence. Mavis saw the disadvantage of leading the minor suits and saw no point in leading the singleton King of trumps. Instead, Mavis led the seven of hearts, which was won by Noela’s Queen. Noela continued with another high heart in order to shorten South’s trump holding. Declarer was always going to lose a heart, a spade and a club, but in the endplay could not avoid losing two clubs to fail by one trick.
Trophy winners for 2025 were: Teams: Mavis Simpson, Noela Collins (also Pairs winners), Pat Kelly, John Nankervis; Handicap pairs: Leanne Munson, Jenny Smith; Novice Pairs: Warwick Milne, Janny Sipple; Kemp Memorial Shield: Len Don.
Results, Monday, 01/12/25 (4-table Howell): J. Nankervis P. Kelly (65.5) 1; M. Simpson N. Collins (58.9) 2; P. Campbell D. Moran (54.2) 3. Friday, 05/12/25 (5 & 1/2-table Howell): T. Hinde L. Don (66.7) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (64.2) 2; P. Kelly D. Moran (55.8) 3; N. Bonnell P. Campbell (54.2) 4.
