By Neil Bonnell, Warwick Bridge Club
The leaders at the half-way point in the Club Pairs Championship are John Nankervis and Pat Kelly on 66 per cent, followed by Hilary Richardson and David Moran on 63 per cent with Tony Hinde and Neil Bonnell in third place with 60 per cent.
On Board 9 (above) Pat and John managed to make eleven tricks in 4S by West, a result that eluded all other E/W pairs, although Jenny Smith and Jill Smith did bid game and made ten tricks.
John (declarer) received the lead of the Queen of diamonds which he won with one of dummy’s top diamonds. It happens to be best if the King of spades is continued from dummy, challenging South to rise with the Ace.
A cagey South would play low, but when North’s Jack falls, the way is open for some cross-ruffing.
First, the King of clubs would have to be played. North would routinely win with the Ace, but now has a choice to make. A club would be fatal for the defence, so the Jack of diamonds would be better. This would be won by the King and a third diamond played. South cannot trump the diamond with the nine, as this would be over-ruffed with the Queen. Rising with the Ace would simply end the defence.
The heart finesse is then taken and the cross-ruff continues. Declarer makes sure that trick eleven is won in dummy (East). South has Ace and nine of spades and West has Q8. Whichever South plays will allow the West’s Queen to make. That will be the eleventh trick.
Pat Kelly is now a State Master. He is second only to Tony Hinde in the speed with which he has reached this milestone.
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Results
Monday, 06/09/21 (6 & ½-table Mitchell): N/S T. Hinde N. Bonnell (60.4) 1; J,Mobbs S. Goddard (55.4) 2; N. Collins M. Simpson (52.5) 3. E/W P. Kelly J. Nankervis (66.7) 1; H. Richardson D. Moran (63.2) 2; Jenny Smith Jill Smith (52.5) 3.
Friday, 10/09/21 (5-table Mitchell): N/S J. Nankervis J. Rose (59.2) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (54.6) 2. E/W P. Kelly Jenny Smith (60.4) 1; M. Finlay Jill Smith (59.6) 2.
