Dealer: N Vul: Both
NORTH
♠ J865
♥ K7
♦ A73
♣ 9863
WEST EAST
♠ AK97 ♠ Q4
♥ 95 ♥ Q84
♦ K9865 ♦ J104
♣ A2 ♣ KQJ54
SOUTH
♠ 1032
♥ AJ10632
♦ Q2
♣ 102
In bridge sometimes you need help, not from your friends, but from your enemies. Friday winners, Jenny Smith and Leanne Munson, took full advantage of South’s generosity after South led the ten of clubs when defending against 2NT by East. Declarer won with the Ace and ran off five club tricks, followed by three spade tricks. The eight tricks needed had been won before North/South regained the lead. South would have done much better to have led the Jack of hearts or even the two. North would have won with the King and returned the seven, trapping East’s Queen. The defence would have won six hearts and the Ace of diamonds. As it was, the defenders conceded a top score to East/West.
Runners-up, Noela Collins and Neil Bonnell also had their share of luck on this board. By a quirk of the bidding North became declarer in 2H. East made the strange lead of the four of clubs, which was won by West’s Ace of clubs. The two was returned to East, who missed the chance to lead the Jack of diamonds. This would have been covered by the King and then the Ace. It was instead West who led a diamond, which was run around to the Queen. This gave declarer a second diamond trick to go with six heart tricks. The score of 110 was the only positive result for North/South.
Results, Monday, 11/08/ 25 (4& ½-table Howell): T. Hinde P. Campbell (69.1) 1; J. Nankervis P. Kelly ((66.0) 2; J. Rose V. Rose (60.4) 3; J. Smith L. Munson (52.1) 4. Friday, 15/08/25 (4 & ½-table Howell): J. Smith P. Kelly (65.3) 1; N. Collins N. Bonnell (63.9) 2; L. Munson J. Nankervis (58.3)3; C. Duggan S. Goddard (57.6) 4.
