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Inter-Provincial Championships: Day 3 Report
Wellington started the short three-match third day in command of both the Open and Intermediate competitions and by virtue of those positions firm favourites to retain the Dougal McLean Trophy as well. They were also challenging Canterbury in the Seniors’ event.
In the Intermediate, three more sizable wins saw Wellington victors by 31 vps from Waikato Bays. Congratulations to the winning team of Simon Louisson, Mariusz Tumilowicz, Tegan Bennik and Jeremy Morley who recorded 10 wins and one minute loss in their 12 matches. I am sure her three teammates will not mind my highlighting the great potential that young Tegan has in our game.
Intermediate
1st |
Wellington |
197.77 |
2nd |
Waikato Bays |
156.64 |
3rd |
Top of the South |
151.53 |
4th |
Otago-Southland |
134.13 |
5th |
Canterbury |
131.62 |
6th |
Central Districts |
118.81 |
7th |
Auckland-Northland |
117.50 |
Open
The Open event ending was strange. Wellington had virtually won the competition after their win over Otago-Southland in the first match of the day while Auckland-Northland lost. They then stuttered to victory having lost 4 of their last 5 matches including to a rampant Central Districts team which had 4 large wins in the second round-robin to end up runners-up.
Board 3 South Deals E-W Vul |
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The most significant board in Wellington's loss to Central Districts was the above board where Ker-Grant failed in 4 by 2 tricks after the 10 lead though Charles Ker-Mark Noble made 5x at the other table after the Q lead did not produce the desired ruff. Not just that but the heart loser disappeared as well with 14 imps going to Central Districts.
Nevertheless, another impressive performance from the very experienced quartet, Anthony Ker, Alan Grant, Nigel Kearney and Karl Hayes.
Open
1st |
Wellington |
178.04 |
2nd |
Central Districts |
163.61 |
3rd |
Auckland-Northland |
156.17 |
4th |
Waikato Bays |
149.23 |
5th |
Otago-Southland |
139.63 |
6th |
Canterbury |
116.86 |
7th |
Top of The South |
104.46 |
Wellington win the Open and the Intermediates
Karl Hayes, Nigel Kearney, Tegan Bennik, Simon Louisson,
Alan Grant and Anthony Ker Mariusz Tumilowicz and Jeremy Morley
North-South battle in Women's competition
Auckland-Northland had just a 0.63 vp advantage over Otago- Southland in the Women’s competition at the start of the day. However, after a small loss to the southerners in the first match of the day and a huge Otago-Southland win in the second match, it was Otago-Southland which had an 8.5 vp advantage going into the last round.
Mothers are not always right
The following fun board from Round 13 tricked many including Auckland-Northland’s Carol Richardson.
Board 2 East Deals N-S Vul |
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West | North | East | South |
Andi Boughey | Carol Richardson | ||
1 ♥ | 2 ♠ | ||
3 ♣ | 3 ♠ | 4 NT | Pass |
5 ♦ | Pass | 6 ♥ | All pass |
With a pretty reasonable 8 card suit and a positive noise from her partner and daughter, Andi, Carol took control and bid the slam opposite one key card. Carol would have been hopeful when the heart finesse worked but less so when South discarded on the second round of hearts…down one. Meanwhile, Central Districts stayed a level lower to gain 11 imps.
It's hard to put down such a strong 8 card suit as a side-suit in dummy though this time, it was Andi’s suit which needed to be trumps. Getting rid of West’s two small spades could be a problem (less so if North leads a spade) though 6 is the slam that can make. ( on a trump lead… win, take heart finesse, ruff a heart and win the second round of trumps with dummy’s jack…and you will make an overtrick!)
However, Auckland-Northland won their last match against Waikato Bays by 50 imps while Wellington beat Otago-Southland by 7…enough for victory to go to Auckland-Northland. Congratulations to Fuxia Wen, Christine Wilson, Andi Boughey and Carol Richardson.
Women
1st |
Auckland-Northland |
179.16 |
2nd |
Otago Southland |
175.50 |
3rd |
Wellington |
155.65 |
4th |
Waikato Bays |
154.44 |
5th |
Top of The South |
126.62 |
6th |
Canterbury |
120.18 |
7th |
Central Districts |
96.45 |
Women's winners - Auckland Northland Top Seniors' team - Canterbury
Andi Boughey,Fuxia Wen, John and Jane Skipper,
Christine Wilson and Carol Richardson Paula Gregory and Michael Johnstone
(not forgetting chef de mission, Douglas Russell)
Canterbury win Seniors event
Finally, to the Seniors where Canterbury started the day 1.69 vps ahead of Wellington. Canterbury had a small loss and a reasonable win and had a huge thank-you to say to the Otago-Southland team who beat Wellington by 45 imps in Round 13. With one round to go, Canterbury led Wellington by 10 vps and were playing their closest challengers in the last round.
Two slam swings sealed Wellington’s fate. Bidding one off two cashing aces was not a success and then they failed to bid slam on the following:
Board 24 West Deals None Vul |
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West | North | East | South |
Jane Skipper | John Skipper | ||
Pass | 1 ♦ | Pass | 1 ♠ |
Pass | 3 ♦ | Pass | 6 ♦ |
All pass |
The above was the simple slam sequence of Jane and John Skipper from Canterbury. From John’s seat, small slam seemed very possible opposite 15-17 and a good suit. He was right. Wellington played 4.
Thus, congratulations to the Canterbury team of Jane and John Skipper and Paula Gregory- Michael Johnstone.
Seniors
1st |
Canterbury |
184.56 |
2nd |
Otago-Southland |
171.35 |
3rd |
Wellington |
171.15 |
4th |
Auckland-Northland |
139.07 |
5th |
Top of the South |
118.90 |
6th |
Central Districts |
112.73 |
7th |
Waikato Bays |
110.24 |
Dougal McLean Trophy
With two wins and two third places, it was “no contest” and for the 4th year running, the trophy will reside in Wellington.
"Capital" Winners
Wellington chef de mission, Lynda Rigler, displays the trophy
Overall- Dougal McLean
1st |
Wellington |
42 |
2nd |
Otago Southland |
30 |
3rd |
Auckland-Northland |
27 |
4th |
Waikato Bays |
22 |
5th |
Canterbury |
21 |
6th |
Top of the South |
16 |
7th |
Central Districts |
14 |
We hope all participants enjoyed the event, very well organized by the Canterbury Region and Christchurch Club. Results came through promptly and accurately on-line and the event was well directed and scored by Murray and Caroline Wiggins. Interested viewers around the country were able, mainly, to watch a match per round on BBO.
Roll on 2020… next time in Wellington.
Richard Solomon