Bridge
Published Date:
18 May 2008
By Ian Crorie
THE Scottish Ladies team put up a spirited defence of their Lady Milne title last month, winning seven of their eight matches, including narrow victories in both matches against England. But the English Ladies were beating the opponents by greater amounts and the final scores were England 154 VPs, Scotland 148, Northern Ireland 113, Republic of Ireland 101 and Wales 79.
The England team paid a heavy price for some over-aggressive bidding on this hand against Scotland. The English East had a substandard takeout double of Sheila Adamson's weak two spades, and her partner's double of 3H was similarly ambitious. There were no problems in the play for Anne Martin; she won the diamond lead and led a club, East rising with the king and South taking the ace. A club ruff was followed by a trump from dummy to the 9 and ace and declarer had 11 tricks for +730.
In the replay the bidding was much better. North opened the same 2S, East passed, South bid a forcing 3H and North raised to 4H. This contract should make for a 7IMP gain for Scotland but the English declarer took her eye off the ball. The first three tricks were the same as in the other room but rather than lead a trump at trick four, declarer ruffed a spade back to hand. A trump now is still good enough for ten tricks but when instead she ruffed another club in dummy the 4–1 trump split meant she lost trump control and finished two down for 13 IMPs to Scotland.
The full article contains 264 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
16 May 2008 2:09 PM
-
Source:
Scotland On Sunday
-
Location:
Scotland
-
Related Topics:
Chess & Bridge
