Dealer: W Vul: Nil
NORTH
♠ A732
♥ AQ5
♦ 92
♣ Q632
WEST EAST
♠ J105 ♠ 8
♥ 987 ♥ KJ432
♦ KQ763 ♦ AJ8
♣ 74 ♣ J985
SOUTH
♠ KQ064
♥ 106
♦ 1054
♣ AK10
Congratulations to Valerie Prentice, who has reached the rank of Graduate Master. Next stop: Club Master. On Board 24 from last Friday Valerie showed good judgement in the auction and accurate choices in the play.
North opened the bidding with 1C, followed by 1H from East and 1S from South. North responded 2S, which Valerie (South) raised to 4S. West made the best lead of the nine of hearts. In order to maintain control, Valeria rose with the Ace and drew trumps in three rounds. Then followed three club tricks and a club trumped in hand, Declarer had now won eight tricks and retained one trump in both hand and dummy. The defenders could win two diamonds and one heart, but the final two tricks were won by declarer with a heart trumped in hand and a diamond trumped in dummy. Valerie shared a top score on this board. At another table the declarer who received the lead of the seven of clubs missed the chance to win an overtrick and a top score. A couple of timid bidders were content to remain in a partscore.
A most enjoyable celebration was held on Friday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bridge Club and Neil Bonnell’s 90th anniversary. For more details see the separate report.
Results, Monday, 05/05/25 (4 & 1/2-table Howell): L. Don T. Hinde (67.4) 1; N. Collins D. Moran (59.0) 2; J. Mobbs N. McGinness (52.8) 3; J. Loy M. Johnston (52.1) 4. Friday, 08/05/25 (5-table Mitchell): N/S N. Collins M. Simpson (61.7) 1; N. Bonnell V. Prentice (53.3) 2. E/W L. Don P. Kelly (62.5) 1; D. Moran N. McGinness (59.6) 2. Well done, Len: two first places.
