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Northland News with Tania Brown
We have started 2017 with a hiss and a roar and already have three tournaments under our belts. It was awesome to see some out of towners supporting these as well. A massive welcome to all who have managed to make it up North over the break, One thing about the North is that we always have our fair share of visitors and its always lovely to see them especially when they don’t run away with all of the prizes.
Kerikeri at "The Coast"
Like most of you, I have been following the Gold Coast Congress with interest and was pleased to see the Kerikeri pair of Mary Driesbock and Vivienne Sexton feature in the Intermediate Pairs at 17th. Meanwhile, another Kerikeri pair, Sue Hunt and Sue Skarupsky, came fifth in a Novice Pair event. Well done to both pairs.
The Kerikeri contingent who went to the Gold Coast: (back) Lloyd and Arlene Purdie, Sue and Bob Brown,Mary Driesbock
(front) Vivienne Sexton, Marilyn Kennedy,Sue Hunt, Sue Skarupsky, Anna Chappell. Mary now lives in Texas.
This bulletin is largely about Kerikeri because Sue Brown, who usually does this report, was one of the Gold Coast contingent. Kerikeri had a large showing there this year and I have some gossip to tell.
The first tournament was the Kerikeri Holiday Pairs on January 7th and 8th. A good turnout as usual and a wonderful time had by all. Don’t you just love it when the “stand by pair” who were actually two stand-by individuals from different clubs, who play different systems, get called in the prizes. Well done Carla Rentoul and Lillian Smith and thank you for making an even number of pairs on the second day due to an illness. Neil Ruddell and Margaret Hooson won the Swiss Pairs on Saturday while Sulochna Humphey and Paul Carson Wenmoth won the Sunday Pairs thanks to a fine 64.84% in the first session.
Orange is the Colour in Whangarei
Then there was the Pak and Save 8B in Whangarei. Cheers to the Auckland contingent who made it up and enjoyed a lovely day in Whangarei. Nice to see you here and don’t be strangers. This event was won (unfortunately!) by a pair from Kerikeri and not just Kerikeri but part of the Kerikeri ORANGE team. We are considering Northland may need to make a bylaw that if the Kerikeri players are wearing uniform, they must provide sunglasses for the opposition. Here are Paul Carson Wenmoth and Bill Humphrey.
Congratulations on their win. Imagine four of them coming at you!
Bill and Paul topped 60% in the morning and hung on despite scoring a little less in the afternoon. The only other 60% round came from locals Laura Maton and Judith Byrne who finished 3rd behind the consistent Richard Bland and Margaret Hooson.
Good Memories in Kerikeri
I have to tell you the story about how, while Sue Brown was away, the Thursday night Kerikeri group managed to really muck things up. On the very last set of boards, the same Bill Humphrey as above, who was sitting the same way the week before, suddenly announced quietly to Paul (again above), who had been left in charge, “ I think these are the same boards as last week”. Paul who was sitting a different way, was shocked and stunned before realising, their dealer was away and yes they probably were. Sue, they missed you.
forgotten memories!
Intermediate Success in Dargaville
Last weekend was the Dargaville 8B Swiss Pairs. Again we were pleased to welcome some out of town players to our area. The winners were Ian Johnson and Len Dent. While Len Dent is an Open player, Ian Johnson is an Intermediate. A huge congratulations to you both.
Dargaville winners, Ian Johnson and Len Dent celebrate
This competition was a hard one. My partner and I were running 9th in the last round. It was do or die. Partner opened 1NT showing 12 to 14. I held 21 points and a 5 card spade suit, A K J 10 9. I asked and found partner had all of the aces and all of the kings. What to do? 7NT seemed like a winner. How do you ask for queens or more importantly, the missing one? Needless to say, partner did not hold it. Nor could it be finessed. We dropped to 17th. If anyone can tell me a way to find the extra bits for a 7 call, I would appreciate it. Set spades as trumps either by making a slam try or simply by transferring and then use Key Card. That’s the one queen you can ask about.
Anyway I would especially like to welcome to the North those members who have relocated from elsewhere in NZ. It is great having you here. I look forward to meeting you at the table.
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