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Last of a Golden Era in Clyde.

Clyde is a beautifully restored historic town perched beneath the awesome Clyde hydroelectric dam, some 10km North/West of Alexandra. Gold was discovered in 1862 along the banks of the mighty Clutha River. Clyde’s  population swelled to 14,000 as the miners searched for nuggets of gold. There were 28 pubs and 30 opium dens recorded in the township which now has only one pub, the Dunstan Hotel.

The Alexandra Bridge Club held their annual 5A Holiday Pairs on the Friday and Saturday evenings in Clyde (4/5 January). This was the final time the Clyde club rooms would see the Holiday Pairs jostle performed. 46 pairs crammed into the one- time store under the directorship of Dennis McCaughan. The Alexandra club have cashed in their prime piece of real estate in Clyde to an eager developer for a mighty lump of gold. Plans are well on the way for the construction of a new premise in Alexandra.

Marilyn Jackson and Greg Buzzard from the Invercargill club won with a board to spare over Graeme Stout and Frances Sheehy. Greg maintained their defence helped them over the line as demonstrated on board 1 on the first evening.

 Contract: 3NT by North. Lead 10.

On a club lead from Greg (East), Marilyn gave count so that Greg held up his A until the 3^rd round of the suit. This kept the declarer to 9 tricks (3 spades, 4 diamonds and 2 clubs). No overtrick. This hold up play saw them get most of the match points. Well done!

The last winners at Clyde: Greg Buzzard and Marilyn Jackson

Diverse Weekend of Swiss Pairs.

 40 pairs from 13 bridge clubs descended on the Invercargill Bridge Club for the Otago/Southland 10A Swiss Pairs on January 19th. For the cost of $30, players got the opportunity to play competitive bridge in 9 rounds of 8 board matches. With 25 Open, 12 Intermediate and 3 Junior pairs, it turned out to be a huge day of bridge. Directed by Lindsay Gunn, who dealt up 360 boards, Geoff Eyles helped with the scoring as well as playing with Harry Shepherd.

Congratulations to Janice Hodson and Trish Clearwater who were the first Junior pair and Diana Easson and Karen Palmer-Hall, the top Intermediate pair finishing 11^th overall.

The tournament came down to the last round with 4 pairs in contention. Bruce Batchelor and Greg Buzzard fell off the pace in the last round to finish a respectable 3^rd. Otago pair, Paul Freeland and Margret Perley,  needed a big win in the last round. Playing Invercargill pair Tony Winters and Debbie Cooper, they could only manage a small win to finish second.

Anne Somerville and Moss Wylie did enough to hang onto their lead when they beat Trish and Peter Downward from Ashburton in the final round to defend their title successfully.

 
Moss Wylie and Anne Sommerville

Festive Time in Dunedin

The Otago Club always pull out all the stops for their catering. The 5A Pairs, with 28 pairs competing on a bright summer’s day, was no exception. With a continuous supply of dips, fruit, cheeses and bites, the Otago Club provided a festive atmosphere. Lunch saw a healthy chicken breast wrap in bacon with new potatoes, peas, carrots and salad followed by a tasty dessert.

Board 2 in the second session only saw 2 pairs bid a making game when there was a diamond slam available.

 

After East passes , South would open 1or a strong club. Some Wests overcalled. North usually found a bid (1 over double or 2 over 2) with South left to ponder over their rebid. North-South could make game in either red suit, slam in diamonds. 4 by North would not be so successful! However, most ended in a diamond partial or defending clubs.

Murat Genc and Arleen Schwartz fared the best when they got 800 off 5 x (4 down). They finished a comfortable 2^nd with an average of 58%

Paul Freeland and Margaret Perley continued their good form to bolt home with a 64% average to take home the silverware.

Cups were also presented to Dorothy Butterfield and Lydia Turley, the top Intermediate pair. Kate Aisi and Michael Rombouts received the cup for top Junior pair.

        
Margaret Perley and Paul Freeland       Dorothy Butterfield and Lydia Turley  Michael Rombouts and Kate Aisi

 Congratulations also to the winners of the South Island Teams held last weekend in Dunedin, Jenny Wilkinson- Shirley Newton and Tim Schumacher- Tony Fitzgerald. ...top of 26 teams in another great weekend of bridge in Dunedin.

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