Zeb Stocken

We are delighted to give advance notice that Zeb Stocken will be returning to Suffolk for a one day teaching event at Hintlesham Hall on June 13.

More details and the opportunity to book your place will be posted nearer the time, but tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so keep an eye on the website.

RAISING THE BAR
RAISING THE BAR

 

Paul Whetton has been appointed Suffolk captain elect and is using his new role to offer a series of articles aimed at players who represent the county, or aspire to do so - but should help us all improve our game.

Paul's aim is to raise the level of performance by Suffolk players and he explains the thinking behind his approach in his first article. Click on BAR to read it.

All Paul's columns are available by clicking on Raising the Bar in the menu above. The latest one is entitled Planning.

RICK STANDING DOWN

Rick Hanley is standing down as Suffolk captain at the end of the current Eastern Counties League season. As announced previously, he will be succeeded by Paul Whetton.

Despite have a small pool of players to call on compared to other counties, and with some top Suffolk players choosing not to represent the county, his tenure has been marked by an overall improvement in results, notably by the B and C teams.

Richard Evans, chairman of Suffolk bridge, said: "Rick has been an excellent captain whose enthusiasm, leadership and ideas have inspired the county squad and underpinned its improved performance. He has also shown great courage at a time when he has not enjoyed good health."

 

Rick (L) & Paul (R)

SUFFOLK CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS

 The format for this year's competition is as follows:

1. Heats to be held in Clubs during October/November. The heats will be F2F. There will be an online open heat in January 2024 for anyone who has missed their club heat.

2. All players who achieve 50% or more in a heat will be eligible to take part in the Final at Elmswell (IP30 9UH) on Sunday April 21, 2024.

3. Players may attempt qualification once - please ask players before play starts if they wish to attempt qualification.

4. Any out-of-county players who achieve more than 50% in a heat will not be eligible to play in the Final since the top three pairs in the Final will be invited to represent Suffolk in the Corwen Trophy to be held F2F on June 1/2, 2024.

LEARNING BRIDGE

Suffolk bridge is offering an unprecedented number of venues and sessions where players new to bridge can learn the game or improve their skills this autumn. Click on LEARN to see the range of courses and sessions on offer across the county.

If you - or a friend - is interested in attending any of the courses and requires more information click on ENQUIRIES and let us have your details.

MARMITE

No trump contracts are like Marmite. You either love or hate them.

Players who fall into the latter (not to mention former) category might just wish to have a look at a fascinating article packed with loads of different hands produced by Marc Chawner, one of Essex’s very best players, on their county website. It kicks off with some relatively straight forward examples before featuring some crackers which will test the best.

Click on NO TRUMPS to read.

MORE MARMITE!

In a sequel to Marc Chawner's popular compilation of no-trump hands and how to play them, click on SUIT PLAY BY DECLARER, and  BBO, to see how BBO robots played these hands (clever!) To complete the trilogy, Marc has produced a comprehensive article on defence. Click on DEFENCE to read.

There is plenty for players of all abilities in the above. Thanks once again to Marc.

LEARNING BRIDGE
LEARNING BRIDGE

If you have friends who would like to learn bridge but are not sure how to go about it or where to go, ask them to email learnbridge@suffolkbridge.co.uk

To find a teacher in your area click on BRIDGE TEACHERS

LOCAL BRIDGE

With more clubs opening their doors, and some also offering teaching and learn & play classes, click on BRIDGE IN SUFFOLK to find out what is available.

While every attempt has been made to ensure the information is accurate, please let us know of any omissions or corrections by clicking EmailSuffolk

FACEBOOK

HERE - AT LAST!

It's been long overdue, but Suffolk Bridge now has its own Facebook  page.

The social networking site offers another way to advertise events and, in particullar, to reach non-bridge players who might be interested in learning the game.

To find the page, go to Facebook and search for Suffolk Bridge.

BRIDGE ARCHIVE

Suffolk Bridge now has a dedicated website for archive mateiral collected over more than 40 years, including winners of the county's main competitions.

Many thanks to Jill Tattersfield for compiling all the material and to Peter Bushby for makiing it publicly available by setting up the website. Click on ARCHIVE to see everything.

WEBMASTERS
 

Paul Rickard and Tony Pearson are the webmasters running Suffolk's dedicated bridge website.

If you would like to publicise a forthcoming event or submit a news item for this website click Paul or Tony

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WOODBRIDGE WIN CLUB TEAMS OF FOUR
WOODBRIDGE WIN CLUB TEAMS OF FOUR

The SCBA Club Teams of Four event was held at the Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell, on Sunday the 24th of March with a record entry of 23 teams. The event was closely contested with only six points between the first three places.

In first position was the Woodbridge team of Dave Walker & John Skinner playing with Humphrey Carey & Clive Rowe with a score of +81 IMPS.

In second place (pictured below) was the Stowmarket team of Brian Pinson & Paul Wilcox playing with Bim & Sam Wilson scoring +76 IMPS and in third place were the Stratford St Mary team of Debbie & Martin Burwood playing with Derek & Rita Brinkley.

Congratulations to them all.

The Director/Scorer was Rob Richardson, boards were provided by Paul Rickard and the Event Manager was Tim Evans.

Click RESULTS to see all the scores.

9-HIGH PAIRS
9-HIGH PAIRS

The next 9-High Pairs event is being held at Highwoods Community Centre, Colchester (CO4 9SR) on Sunday April 7.

This is for players with an NGS grade of 9 or below.

Don't know your NGS grade? Just  click HERE and type your name in the Search box.

Please be seated by 1.45pm for start of play at 2.00pm and we expect to finish around 6.00pm.

We will have a mid-session break when nibbles and a glass of wine will be provided on the house.

Click ENTRY for the entry form (also in the Menu on the left) - the entry fee is £10/head.

NGS grades will be checked on April 4 and any entrants who have progressed to NGS 10 will be advised and their entry fee returned.

CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS FINAL
CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS FINAL

 

The Suffolk Bridge Championship Pairs FINAL will be held on Sunday April 21 at Elmswell (IP30 9UH) starting at 11.00am.

Click HERE or in the Menu on the left to see the list of qualifiers.

To help the organisers, all qualifiers are requested to complete the entry form identifying WHETHER OR NOT you plan to play. Thank you.

Entry fee is £10/head. Tea/coffee will be available but please bring your own lunch.

CLARE BRIDGE CLUB SWISS PAIRS

Clare Bridge Club Swiss Pairs
 

Sunday 5th May at 10:45 for 11am, Lavenham Village Hall
 

This is a blue pointed event and will be directed by Rob Richardson.
The cost is £17.50 per player, and includes a delicious sandwich lunch.
To enter, please apply (preferably) online by completing this form. Payment is by BACS or by post.

The postal address for payments is Clare Bridge Club 29A Friars St. Sudbury CO10 2AA.

NATIONAL PAIRS REGIONAL QUALIFIER

Competing in your regular club duplicate may have earned you a place in the National Pairs Regional Final on 24th March. Any pair that scored over 55% in a club game between 4th February and 17th February will be invited to enter in the Regional Final.

Click on National Pairs for more information

Obviously you can't compete in this competition if you are playing in the Teams of Four event at Elmswell!

CAMBS & HUNTS SWISS PAIRS
CAMBS & HUNTS SWISS PAIRS

Click HERE for the entry form.

IN THE PAST...

To see older items please click on

NEWS ARCHIVE

MIGHTY HIKE

Join Jayne Hunnable on her Norfolk Coast half-marathon Mighty Hike on May 12 ... or just support her with a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support!

Click JUST GIVING for details.

Thank you.

SUFFOLK in the ECL

First of all, a declarer problem for you from the match vs Norfolk on January 14.  The answer is at the end of the report.

You are North as declarer in 4H and the lead is a low spade.  In the bidding East shows at least 10 cards in the minors.  The lead was a low spade to your King, plan your play.

To read Rick Hanley's report, and the answer to the declarer's problem, click on REPORT

JULIAN LANG

David Morran writes - I am sad to report that Julian died on 8 March. He had not been able to play Bridge for about 5 years due to the effects of Parkinson's disease, but prior to that his involvement and achievements in Suffolk bridge were many. He won all the County's major events many times over - the Championship Teams 9 times; Pairs 3 times; Mens Pairs 4 times, and with his wife Penny the Married Pairs (the Lang Cup) 4 times. He was a regular player for the County in the Eastern Counties League, and County Captain in the late 1980s. For many years he was Chairman and on the Committee of the Colchester Club, and consistently headed the individual performance table.

I played with Julian for over 35 years. His card play was excellent as you would expect from someone that was good at Double Dummy problems, and whose name regularly featured in Bridge Magazine’s competition as a successful solver. To opponents he was always courteous and respectful, and considerate of the inexperienced. To me he was a wonderful partner - very calm and never a cross word, and that’s the good example and legacy he leaves me.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for Mary Evans will take place at St Edmundsbury cathedral on Monday 8 April at 11am, followed by refreshments at the cathedral.

Mary helped found Stansfield bridge club and represented the county. All players who knew her are welcome to attend.

SCBA COMMITTEE NEWS

For family health reasons Richard Evans has stood down from his role as SCBA Chairman and from his other responsibilities on the County Committee.

Jeff Orton has taken over as Acting Chairman until the AGM in May.

SUFFOLK ONLINE TEAMS OF 4 - WINTER 2024

The new season - it's the 16th! - of the Suffolk Online Teams League is underway, with 27 teams playing in six divisions.

Results will be available by clicking on WINTER. Final results from Season 15 (and previous seasons) can be viewed by clicking on PREVIOUS RESULTS

BURY SWISS PAIRS RESULTS
BURY SWISS PAIRS RESULTS

Congratulations to Simon & Jaroslaw

Click RESULTS to see all the scores.

Results
Club Teams of Four
ECL v Northants away
ECL v Norfolk home
Bah Humbug
Club Teams of 8
Bridge with Lunch
Suffolk golf bridge
Suffolk Congress Pairs Qualifier
Suffolk Congress Pairs Final
Suffolk Congress Consolation Open Pairs
Suffolk Congress Pairs Qualifier - with handicaps (click tab within results to see handicaps)
ECL v Beds home
Autumn Festival
ECL v Essex home
Woodbridge MAP session 1
Woodbridge MAP session 2
Woodbridge MAP Overall
ECL v Cambs & Hunts away
AGM Pairs
Championship Pairs
Calendar
Sun 7th Apr 2024
NGS 9-High Pairs
Highwoods, Colchester 2.00pm
Sun 21st Apr 2024
Championship Pairs Final
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 12th May 2024
AGM Pairs
Elmswell
Following 2.00 pm AGM
Wed 5th Jun 2024
Bridge with Lunch
Elmswell 12.30 pm
Thu 13th Jun 2024
Zeb Stocken
Hintlesham Hall
Sun 30th Jun 2024
Woodbridge Mid Anglia Pairs
Woodbridge 11.00 am
Sun 7th Jul 2024
ECL v Beds away
Online RealBridge 1.00 pm
Sun 28th Jul 2024
Summer Swiss Pairs
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 8th Sep 2024
Autumn Festival
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 22nd Sep 2024
ECL v Herts home
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Sat 5th Oct 2024
Suffolk Congress Pairs
Elmswell
12.00 noon
Sun 6th Oct 2024
Suffolk Congress Swiss Teams
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 13th Oct 2024
ECL v Cambs & Hunts home
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Mon 21st Oct 2024
Suffolk golf-bridge day
Aldeburgh
8.30 for 9.00 am
Wed 23rd Oct 2024
Bridge with Lunch
Elmswell 12.30 pm
Sun 27th Oct 2024
ECL v Norfolk away
Online RealBridge 1.00 pm
Sat 16th Nov 2024
Club Teams of Eight
Colchester 2.00 pm
Sun 1st Dec 2024
NGS 9-High Pairs
Nayland 11.00 am
Sun 29th Dec 2024
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 12th Jan 2025
ECL v Northants home
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm