Congratulations to the three pairs who came through four sessions of bridge last weekend in the Bermuda Bridge Federation sponsorship trials to determine the team to represent Bermuda in the CACBF Zone Championships in Panama this May.After an incredibly tight last session Marge Way and John Hoskins finished first with 185.50 followed by Rachael Gosling and John Burville on 175 and Sheena Rayner and Magda Farag on 174.5. Agonisingly close behind the qualifiers were Judy Bussell and Stephanie Kyme on 173 and Jane Smith and Gertie Barker on 172.Congratulations to the qualifiers and commiserations to the near missers Jane and Gertie who were in great shape as leaders after three sessions but had their first bad session at the wrong time.All six players are solid and experienced and it is especially good to see John Hoskins finishing on top and claiming his place on the team again as he has been a solid player and member for a long time. Four sessions of pairs bridge over two days is never easy and all these pairs have earned their spot.Before I get to the hand let me bring you the 2012 Player of The Year results which were announced at the Christmas dinner.Senior player of the year: Alan Douglas (45.95 Master Pts); Jane Smith (40.98); John Glynn (36.23); Elizabeth McKee (35.80); Rachael Gosling (33.03).Junior player of the year: Mark Crampton (9.27); Martha Ferguson (8.77); James Fraser (6.92); Andy Carne (6.80).Congratulations to all these players.Now to the hand, and a look at how three different declarers played it.Board 9. E/W Vul. Dealer North.S J63H A2D K86C KQ843S Q108 S 5H QJ1094 H K875D 3 D A10974C J765 C !092S AK9742H 63D QJ52C ANorth opened a club and rebid 1NT over South’s one spade response, which usually shows at least two spades and no other suit worth mentioning. South decided that the shape of his hand did not look good for 3NT and knowing that he was opposite at least two spades bid four spades which became the final contract.West led the heart queen and South was pleased to see three card spade support and that four spades was clearly superior to 3NT. Now he just needed to make it.Declarer won the heart lead and played Ace King of trumps East discarding a heart. Declarer now led a diamond to the King and Ace and East now led a heart to West who cashed the queen of trumps. with three tricks in the bag East exited with a heart and the defence waited for their diamond trick, down one.The second declarer was also in four spades and did a little better, she only drew one round of trumps before playing the diamond. East, however, was on the ball and returned a diamond for West to ruff, West returned a heart and got a second diamond ruff. Down one.Now comes declarer three. A little more planning here. She also took only one round of trumps but now instead of playing a diamond she played a heart. This cut the lines of communication between the defenders and now no matter what they did declarer could arrange to ruff the losing diamond in dummy, losing just a heart, a diamond and a trump.Very well played. A lot to learn, isn’t there?