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Jan Cormack

Age is no barrier to success.

The South Island Pairs was played on-line this past weekend, hosted by the Nelson Bridge Club. There was plenty of bridge with 4 x 30 board sessions and an excellent turn-out with 74 pairs taking part. The event, directed by Martin Oyston, seemed to run very smoothly.

It demonstrated that bridge is certainly a game for all ages. We had players in their 20’s participating but it was the Seniors who came out on top and none more so than 82 year old Jan Cormack, who with Grant Jarvis showed remarkable consistency throughout the event. These were the top 10 scores:

 

1	Jan Cormack		Grant Jarvis		237.58
2	Malcolm Mayer		Brian Mace		229.66
3	Liz Fisher		Blair Fisher		228.58
4	Russell Dive		Anthony Ker		226.43
5	Richard Solomon		Jonathan Westoby		224.38
6	Mindy Wu		Mariusz Tumilowicz		224.32
7	Gary Chen		John Wang		223.19
8	Dave Mikaera		Les Frater		221.37
9	Fuxia Wen		Max Morrison		220.72
10	Jan Alabaster		Tim Schumacher		220.18

 

Grant and Jan averaged just under 60% with session scores of 60.00, 60.32, 61.94 and 55.32  and led throughout the last two sessions. Here is one board where Jan might have thought she was about to make an overtrick but in the end had to play well to make her contract.

 

With 2 a Weak Jump Overcall, Jan, East, received 10 lead. With the spade suit offering no immediate danger, she won J and eyed 5 diamond, 3 club and at least 1 trick in each major suit. However, when she started to cash diamonds, South discarded 5 on the second round.

Suddenly entries to her hand were at a premium. So, she took the club finesse, South covering as Jan took her ace. Next she played a club to the J, both defenders following. These were the four hands:

 

Next came J ducked to North’s Q. North played back their remaining spade won by South’s 7. The defence had so far taken two tricks. South exited 7 to dummy’s 10 and these cards remained:

Jan played a diamond to her Q and exited 6. South could cash 9 but then did not want to be on lead! 9 tricks made for 59 matchpoints out of 72. Of the 27 declarers in no-trumps, only 12 made 9 tricks.

   
Grant Jarvis, an appreciative partner

Playing Teams, Jan could  win the initial spade lead and take an immediate club finesse. When that works, declarer can play A and duck a diamond to score four diamond, three club and one trick in each major. Jan knew North had only two spades, the danger suit. Pairs play is different in that an overtrick is so worth having if you can get it.

Richard Solomon

While reflecting on age, it was lovely seeing Arch Jelley take part in this event. Arch is about 20 years' Jan's senior. He was not quite so successful as was Jan in this event. 

 

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