Kyme and Bussell take Ladies'
THE Men’s and Ladies Pairs’ Championships concluded at the Bridge Club last Friday and at the end of an exciting contest Roman Smolski and David Sykes took the Men’s from first-round leaders Gordon Bussell and Dick Meredith while Stephanie Kyme and Judy Bussell held off a storming game from Vera Petty and Sally Sykes with a second session stormer of their own to record a comfortable win.In the Men’s, Bussell and Meredith held a small lead from three other pairs but a lacklustre second session saw them being overtaken by a 61.25% game from Smolski and Sykes. Remaining in third place were Steve Ball and Phil Shaddick and close behind in fourth and fifth were Michael Bickley and Scott Godet and Cliff Alison and Stephan Juliusburger respectively.
Smolski and Sykes were always going to be fancied to take the event and came through with some solid bridge and Bussell and Meredith must be commended for a really good performance over the two sessions. The next three pairs contained one accomplished veteran in Bickley and five others who can all make their mark in Open competition in the future.
The Ladies’ Pairs were a real stunner and the first session gave no clue of the fireworks to come. Petty and Sykes were one of the pairs close behind first-round leaders Kyme and Bussell and with a 68% second session would usually win by a street.
Amazingly, they made up virtually no ground as Kyme and Bussell were just under 68% themselves and held on to all their lead. These two pairs finished a long way ahead but third, fourth and fifth were in an almost inseparable group with Rachel Gosling and Elizabeth McKee on 208.86, Mary Jane Coelho and Barbara Huntington 207.79 and Gertie Barker and Jane Smith on 206.69!
Coelho and Huntington have been performing well for a long time and once again the other two pairs contain some future contenders.
This week’s hand comes from Mike Lawrence’s excellent web site, www.bridgeclues.com which allows you to view two free hands daily (how does he do it all?) and also provides all past hands, for a ridiculously low $4 a month! Try it.
Mike has been here all week and his private lessons and two seminars were really well received. He has been at the very top of the bridge world, especially at teams, and is now one of the game’s leading authors and teachers.
[spade]A 10 3
[heart]A Q J 10 9
[diamond]6 3
[club]A Q 8
East
[spade]Q J 4
[heart]K 2
[diamond]K Q 9 4
[club]7 6 5 4
1[heart] 1NT
2NT 3NTPartner leads the six of spades which you like — your jack wins the first trick, the queen holds the next and then ??? Think! If you woodenly return a spade declarer waltzes home as partner cannot have a quick entry as South has to have the ace of diamonds and king of clubs. When you come in with your king of hearts declarer already has nine tricks.
Your only hope has to be a diamond switch, preferably a low one, the jack or that declarer goes wrong.
The full hand:
[spade]A 10 3
[heart]A Q J 10 9
[diamond]6 3
[club]A Q 8
West East
[spade]K 9 7 6 2 [spade]Q J 4
[heart]8 6 5 3 [heart]K 2
[diamond]J 7 2 [diamond]K Q 9 4
[club]3 [club]7 6 5 4
South
[spade]8 5
[heart]7 4
[diamond]A 10 8 5
[club]K J 10 9 2The lesson? Think, think, think and don’t make automatic plays.<$>
LATEST RESULTS
Bermuda Bridge Club
Men’s Pairs: 1. Roman Smolski-David Sykes, 2. Gordon Bussell-Dick Meredith, 3. Phil Shadick-Steve Ball, 4. Scott Godet-Michael Bickley, 5. Kevin Comeau-David Cordon.
Ladies’ Pairs: 1. Judy Bussell-Stephanie Kyme, 2. Vera Petty-Sally Sykes, 3. Rachael Gosling-Elizabeth McKee, 4. Mary Jane Coelho-Barbara Huntington; 5. Jane Smith-Gertrude Barker.
Wednesday, February 16, morning, N/S: <$>1. Lisa Burland-Donna Leitch, 2. Louise Rodger-Barbara Huntington, 3. Greta Marshall-Lynanne Bolton. E/W: 1. Julia Lunn-Betty Outerbridge, 2. Charles Gambrill-Mona Marie Gambrill, 3. Marilynn Simmons-Jacqueline Swan.
Wednesday, February 16, evening, N/S: <$>1. Pat Colmet-Dee Griffiths, 2. Joy Lusher-Dan McCleary, 3. Dorothy Moir-Alex Moir. E/W: 1. Barbara Lowry-Audrey Gardiner, 2. Jonathan Clipper-Kim Booth, 3. Judith Evans-John Evans.
Monday, February 21, afternoon: <$>1. Mabs Turner-Dorothy Moir, 2. Joyce Rego-Ann Proctor, 3. Felicity Lines-June Stanton.
Granaway Bridge Club
February 23, N/S: 1. Mary Jane Coelho-June Stanton, 2. Charles Vaucrosson-Margaret Vaucrosson, 3. Marilynn Simmons-Jacqueline Swan, 4. Enid Hyland-Peggy Thompson, 5. Mary Arton-Joan Sims. E/W: 1. Dorothy Buckley-Tony Buckley, 2. Charles Hall-Lynn O’Neill, 3. Stephanie Kyme-Jean Wakefield, 4. David Cordon-Julia Lunn, 5. Rachael Gosling-Elizabeth McKee.
