All News
Top of The South News with Jenny Pomeroy
Calling all readers but especially those on Stewart Island. Welcome to Rhondda and Jeff Bergman. It's OK. We know our geography and that our southern island is not really that close to Nelson or Picton! Read on:
Tournament News
Maurice Carter is the one about to speak but it is Tony Oberdries who has the really big smile...read why.
The tournament calendar has been less hectic over the last couple of months, but there have been a couple of tournaments, and once again ones extremely well supported.
Hello World Swiss Pairs in Richmond on 25 June had 44 pairs. A win for Tony Oberdries and Maurice Carter, which earned Tony those last few A points to cross over the line and become a Silver Grand Master; second ever in TOTS (Robin Young was the first). No wonder he is looking so happy. Well done Tony and Maurice.
Spades took out the top three slots, with Chris Marshall and Ed Roggeveen from Picton second and Ruth Allison and Sheila Beggs, Nelson, third.
Ed Roggeveen and Chris Marshall Jude Edmondson and Suzan Wijngaarden Ann Blackie and John Pemberton
Hearts: Tony and Susan Hinkley; Doug Sarkies and Geoff Sutton and Gillian Finnegan and Mary Girvan were 1,2 &3.
Diamonds, Karen Brookes - Bevan Russell; Yvonne Scarlett - Wayne Smith and Vicky Russell (pipped by her Dad) and Jane Worthington for 1,2 & 3. Golden Bay duo Jude Edmondson and Suzan Wijngaarden won the Clubs section coming 13th overall, being ranked 40th! They were followed by Rhondda and Jeff Bergman. - Rhondda and Jeff have been a feature at quite a few clubs recently, cramming in as much bridge as possible as they tour New Zealand prior to taking on motels on Stewart Island next month. Anyone reading this from Stewart Island – a couple of very keen bridge players coming your way who would love a game. And finally another Golden Bay pair Ann Blackie and John Pemberton were third. Thanks to Tony Hinkley for the all the photos.
Next came the " Call a Geek” Nelson Junior Pairs. Lindsey Guy did a sterling job encouraging the Juniors to dip their toes into the tournament world to the extent that 12 full tables battled it out on 2 July. Peggy Bryant and Ed Buyck had a cracking morning, 67%, which set them up well and they went on to win the tournament. They were also drafted in fairly late in the piece to eliminate the need for a phantom - thanks. Jude and Suzan from GB were second; James Harris and Franklin visitor Debbie Sullivan third and Jo de Bono - Brian Field fourth.
As always both tournaments were well organised, well catered, well directed and a lot of fun was had.
The new TOTS Committee
Our new TOTS committee is settling in. Three new members, Wayne Smith (Westport), Jenny Cooper (Golden Bay) and Rebecca Osborne (Nelson) join Robin Young (Marlborough), Chris Marshall (Picton) and Helen Robinson (Nelson). We are so lucky to have members from five or our eight clubs on the Committee. It means we have a good cross section and it brings a good balance, with large and small, central and distant clubs all being represented. Our committee members span the playing grades as well.
A change of guard in Motueka after their recent AGM with Phil Donaldson taking up the reins as president, June Tippett Vice President and Chris Sutton, Secretary. Other AGMs in the region will take place over the next few months.
Fund-raising in Richmond
Richmond has begun trialling Sunday afternoon winter bridge on a fortnightly basis. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon especially when it is less than inviting outside. On 24th July they held their annual St John’s Charity Tournament. It is a fundraiser for St John’s Youth, where all proceeds (table money, bar and raffle) are donated to the St John’s Youth. In return, these guys cater for the afternoon tea, including serving. A very popular afternoon, and a huge success. The final fundraising tally hasn’t quite been worked out yet, but on the scoring front, congratulations are due to Roger and Carol Minchin N/S and Vicki Russell and Barbara Gordon E/W. Only a fraction of a % between them. However, the real winners were the St John’s Youth and good on you Richmond for supporting such a worthy group.
New Players’ News
Nelson’s beginners have emerged from their lessons and are in the full throws of Monday night bridge. Thanks Tony Hinkley , Helen Robinson and all their helpers for running the lessons and continuing to look after them. Tony and Helen along with Ray Curnow from Westport and Viv Murray from Marlborough recently attended the Teachers’ Conference held at Franklin Bridge Club and have returned with even more enthusiasm (if that is possible, given that they are already on the far right of the bell curve in the enthusiasm stakes as it is) and more ideas to keep the lesson programme active and successful and maintain enthusiasm and retain membership.
Golden “Golden Bay”
Golden Bay have had some cracking scores on Wednesday nights, for which they are attracting a running commentary from Canada (there’s a significant number of godwits in this club who migrate to the Northern Hemisphere to escape the winter). I love it:
25 June
MY OH MY. Seniors still out in front. Be still my heart!
and on 7 July
Well the gauntlet that was dropped has definitely been picked up. A 72 cannonading broadside. Were wooden ships ever built that could encompass such firepower?
And so the younger set has replied! A “70 PERCENTER”. Another pair to have attained this lofty perch. Truly well done Marilyn and Malcolm.
Golden Bay’s Alan and Ann Blackie have gone in search for a little winter sunshine and honing of their bridge skills and are in Noosa with the House of Cards organised trip. Sounds a fab week.
And down “The Coast”
Westport’s been busy with both trials and practice for their Howorth Cup Team (TOTS interclub teams tournament to be played in August). I think the message there is watch out other TOTS Clubs! Yvonne Scarlett and Freda Herring were the victors of the Rubber Bridge at club level and now face Maurice Carter and Chris Marshall from Picton (best of the rest) in the next stage of the TOTS comp. Wayne Smith has been updating me on Westport’s news and successes in tournaments out of the Region:
“Phil Rutherford and Wayne Smith spent a couple of days in Christchurch battling it out with a few Grand Masters and New Zealand Reps in the 20A South Island Pairs. In a field of 42 in which they were ranked 41st they managed to improve through the qualifying day. The next day the field was split into three divisions and they finished in fourth place in the flight section and won the final session with 59.3%. There was a definite trend of improvement through the weekend. (Well done guys!) Wayne Smith and Yvonne Scarlett travelled to Rangiora for an All Grades 8B Tournament and managed to get in the money finishing second in the Intermediate Grade” (Well done once again).
No wonder Yvonne Scarlett is so happy clutching that envelope. Wayne Smith should have one too, an envelope and a smile!
Westport were rightly well chuffed to have had 10 full tables at a recent club night. To be fair there were a few visitors in town (namely the Blackies from Golden Bay) but for a club of just over 40 members, that is a pretty impressive turn out. Go Westport.
That’s a wrap for now. Once again congratulations, Tony Oberdries. Fantastic achievement. And Tony Hinkley – cheers once again for the photos.
Go Back View All News Items
