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South Island Pairs

42 pairs contested the South Island Pairs held over the week-end of July 9^th-10^th at the Christchurch Bridge Club. One spectacular round when it mattered proved to be the winning of the event.

The early leaders after the first of the three qualifying rounds were Dunedin’s Chris Ackerley and Arleen Schwartz who started off with a 65% session and were well in contention after the three qualifying rounds. After these three rounds, the leaders were:

                                                                                                %

Jenny Wilkinson – Shirley Newton                                     176.25

Chris Ackerley – Arleen Schwartz                                     175.87

Kate Davies – John Patterson                                          175.38

Meanwhile, another Dunedin pair, James Coutts- Ellena Moskovsky had after averaging 55% in the first two rounds, slithered into the top 14 after only scoring 45% in the third round. They qualified 12th.

The field then split into three 7 table groups to play barometer style on the second day. The Flight was won with 58.6% by Christchurch’s Theo Smits – Andrew Purves while a round of 59.4% was enough for another local pair, Mehboob Chiba – John Kruiniger to win the Plate.

Michael Ware- Glenn Coutts made the early running in the final but the following deal was to prove significant at the end of the day. All seven North-Souths played the following hand in 3NT, most receiving a small spade lead. Against Michael and Glenn, the declarer was Southland’s Anne Somerville who as South received a low spade lead:

 

 

East’s 9 went to Anne’s king. She did what defenders hate, firing a spade,straight back. West covered with the 10 to prevent Anne from scoring three spade tricks but Anne turned her attention elsewhere.

She tried the diamond suit and was happy to see the 3-3 break, but only cashed three rounds of the suit before playing a heart to the queen. Although playing a heart to the 10 would have been even more successful, she proved that the double finesse was unnecessary. At that point, she played three rounds of clubs and then a fourth diamond. With one diamond still to play, these cards remained:

 

The diamond left West with no winning option and regretting they had not seized the A when the opportunity was offered. A very well timed and played hand.

Anne’s play earned Glenn and Michael just one match-point out of 12 and as well as pleasing both her and partner, Geoff Eyles, was pretty significant for another pair. Ellena Moskovsky and James Coutts had had a steady first session in the final, 56.8%, second just behind Michael and Glenn. However, they hit form at just the right time with a huge 67.1% in the afternoon, over 11% higher than any other pair, just enough to see them into first place:

                                        Ellena, Christchurch Club President Theo Smits and James                              

                                                                                          match points

1. Ellena Moskovsky – James Coutts                                   290.8
2. Michael Ware – Glenn Coutts                                          282.5
3. Kate Davies – John Patterson                                         278.0
4. Arleen Schwartz – Chris Ackerley                                    272.8
5. Moss Wylie – Tony Fitzgerald                                          266.3

Congratulations to Ellena and James who soon represent New Zealand in the World Mixed Teams event in Poland.  

"Partnership" as Glenn Coutts gives his partner a hug. However, this time, Glenn and Michael

Ware had to make do with second place. Was Theo Smits aware of what was going on behind him?

 

 

 

Richard Solomon with thanks to Michael Ware.

 

 

 

 

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