By Neil Bonnell, Warwick Bridge Club
On Friday week, 27 August, the annual Novice Championship will be held. The winners will have their names inscribed on the Lorna Broughton Cup.
Lorna, who was one of our early members, was well-known for her immaculate appearance. When in public, hat, gloves and stockings were necessary accessories for her.
For bridge, a hat was unnecessary and gloves were a nuisance.
As in her dress, her manners were impeccable. Her donation of this cup was the result of her wish to give less experienced players an incentive to improve.
Previous winners Barbara Reid and Joyce McKeen have given notice with a win E/W last Friday that they will be contenders again this year.
Game recap
On Board 20 (pictured) Barbara and Joyce bid wisely (choosing 4NTnot 4S) and played well. Because of the unlikely layout of the hearts, with the Jack and ten huddled together in a doubleton, thirteen tricks can be made with an Ace left over.
Yet, two declarers made only eleven and one ten. Barbara, sitting East, received the helpful lead on the four of diamonds, but even the King should have made no difference.
After winning with the Jack of diamonds, to be safe declarer can play low to the ten of spades. Then declarer can return to hand and run the rest of the spades, discarding diamond and club losers.
Those who discarded hearts came to regret it. Under the spade onslaught, North will have to find four discards and South three.
Their hands will be in tatters once declarer starts on the hearts. Because the Jack and ten fell in two rounds, the rest of dummy’s hearts were high and Barbara had two Aces which were surplus to requirements, but didn’t accrue any extra points.
Results
Monday, 09/08/21 (6-table Mitchell): N/S N. Collins D. Moran (64.0) 1; T. Hinde P. Campbell (56.7) 2; J. Mobbs S. Goddard (50.0) 3. E/W J. Rose V. Rose (65.0) 1; C. Duggan M. Johnston (57.3) 2; H. Nielsen N. McGinness (48.3) 3.
Friday, 13/08/21 (5-table Mitchell): N/S N. Bonnell B. Bonnell (62.9) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (57.5) 2. E/W B. Reid J. McKeen (57.9) 1; J. Mobbs N.McGinness (57.1) 2.
