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Northland News with Tania Brown
Greeting all from the winterless North once again.
Gosh, before we hit these tumultuous times we were up and running with a fever (maybe that’s not the right word) and 2020 WAS THE YEAR. However, that’s not to be at this stage but it does not detract from some of the results we had before life turned upside down.
Firstly, congratulations to Sue Brown who will join the New Zealand Bridge Board on 1st April. Sue has been a wonderful servant of our game in recent years both at club level (Kerikeri) and fulfilling a variety of roles including President, Treasurer and Secretary (for some of the period all at the same time!) of the Auckland-Northland Regional Committee. She has huge enthusiasm for our game and tons of experience in administration and finance. We all wish her well in her new role.
Some great Bridge was played and fun was had in January at the Kerikeri club. As usual it was an eventful two day tournament day 1 being Swiss Pairs and day 2 being just Pairs. This event attracted players from all over New Zealand who see the benefits of visiting Northland and there were some pretty good results as well. The winners day 2 were Jolene Zink and Arlene Purdie from Kerikeri with Moss Wylie and Greg Buzzard coming a close second with only 0.20% separating 1st from 2nd.
From Northland and Southland
Arlene Purdie and Jolene Zink Moss Wylie and Greg Buzzard
Neil Ruddell and Margaret Hooson won the Swiss Pairs with Bob Brown and Jenny Collison coming 2nd. Jenny is a Junior player and this was a huge achievement for her in an Open field. A massive congratulations and welcome to playing Tournament Bridge. Goes to show that on a good day anything can happen.
Swiss Successes Whangarei Winners
Margaret Hooson and Neil Ruddell Bob Brown and Jenny Collison Patsy and Lee Walters
Close Finish..and new Grandmasters in Whangarei
After this was the Pak n Save Tournament in Whangarei. Winners were Patsy Walters and Lee Walters with Andrew Liu and John McIntosh coming a very close second with 0.32 separating them both. It was nice to see John and Andrew back at the club as both have had a break for a while, although both shot off before the prize giving...so no photos. Neil Ruddell and John McIntosh were also presented with their Grand Master certificates at this event. In one swoop Northland trebled its Grand Master list from 1 to 3. They join Patsy Walters, Northland's other "Grandmaster".
Swiss at Dargaville
Next was the Dargaville Swiss Pairs. As I have often said I hate Swiss Pairs as some "burglar" comes through on the last round and upsets everything. Last round up, I had to eat my words as it was myself and my partner. However this event it was not to be. Bruce and Isobel Thom worked hard all day to come out with the win with Jenny Robinson and Caroline Goodall coming 2nd only 3vps behind.
Bruce and Isobel Thom Caroline Goodall and Jenny Robinson
(also featured is Dargaville President, Peter Ball. We are told that both pairs will teach Tania Brown how to do well at Swiss Pairs at a very modest...well modest...or maybe not modest at all fee!)
Kerikeri Dolphin Pairs
Finally, back to where we started, in Kerikeri. This event was held in a different venue and run as two separate tournaments. The Open was won by myself and Neil Ruddell. However, a very close second was Margaret Hooson and Richard Bland with a whopping 69.94% in the afternoon session. Lucky for us they had an average morning with only 49.40%.
There is a “friendly” competition going between Margaret and Neil, both stating they don’t care if they come second to last as long as the other comes last. So far the score is 2 nil to Neil in terms of results.
The Intermediate/ Junior section was won by Kim Thomas and Kevin Grundy with an impressive average of 65.39%, second being Mike Curran and Vanassa McGoldrick with an average of just over 60%.
BIg Scorers in Kerikeri
Kevin Grundy and Kim Thomas Mike Curran and Vanassa McGoldrick
(now, who could ever describe Vanassa as "big"?!)
Whangarei made the decision to cancel the 5A Open Teams competition on March 21st and at this stage the Club is closed until May 1. This will affect the next few tournaments that were scheduled. However, we believe the safety and comfort of our members is worth this small disruption.
Keep safe everyone and look forward to seeing you all later in the year.
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