March 2009
New County Captain
After the best part of four years in the job, Peter Gemmell has decided to retire as Suffolk Captain. He leaves the county side in good order (see results below for the final match of 2008-9 season) but professional and family commitments have obliged him to step down.
The Suffolk committee are pleased to announce that David Price of Halstead, who is a member of the England Seniors' Team and currently captain of the England Camrose Team, is to take over from Peter.
If you are interested in playing for the county side, Suffolk has a policy of granting all those interested an outing for the 'C' team: contact the new captain . The new season starts in June.
Table Talk
As mentioned in January's s newsletter, Table Talk has a new editor, a new format and is intended for all bridge players in Suffolk. We will be taking copies to clubs in the first weeks of March. Make sure you get your copy! If you haven't been able to pick one up or (for those outside the county or who don't regularly play in a club), haven't had one posted to them, get in touch with either the editor or the membership secretary .
Bridge in the Cupboard
Old trouper Bard, the five of diamonds manages an exit stage right in Mike Chanter's next instalment.
Date Clarifications
There have been two date changes since the printing of the 2008-9 Competitions Brochure. These have been widely corrected but just in case anyone is working from their original brochure, please note that the Pivot Teams is on 26-April and the Suffolk AGM is on 31-May (as is, naturally, the AGM Pairs!).
Forthcoming Events
Suffolk Club Teams of Four
Sunday 15th March 2009, 2:00pm at Stoke by Nayland. This is a two session teams event with refreshments. The cost is £10.00 per person, entries through club secretaries, queries to SCBA tournament secretary .
The Norfolk Congress 2009
3rd - 5th April, Hotel Elizabeth, Duke's Head, King's Lynn, Green Point Pairs on Saturday 4th, Swiss Teams on Sunday 5th. Full Congress: £40.00, Green Point Pairs: £22.00, two session Swiss Teams: £20, single session event: £6.00. Includes afternoon tea where appropriate. Download an entry form [PDF].
Club Tournament Director Assessment Course
Saturday 30th May 2009 at Playford, this course organised by Deben Bridge Club still has a few vacancies. The cost is £40 per person. Contact (01394 382394).
Results
Bury St. Edmunds Swiss Teams Congress
Eighteen teams took part and despite a first round loss Less won their next five matches to take the title.
| 1. | Norman Less, Andre Gray, David Mathews, Helen Mason | 89 VPs |
| 2. | Eric Newman, Mike Malin, Basia Malinowska, Joan P Mayhew | 83 |
| 3. | Patsi Barnes, Nick Farr, Joan Watson, James Manning | 72 |
Full results are on the website.
Suffolk Pairs Semi-Final
There were two separate heats, leading qualifiers are, Yellow Section:
| 1. | Jenny & David Price | 68.75% |
| 2. | Graham Beeton & Sue Flin | 64.20% |
| 3. | Rosemarie Mascall & Norman Denny | 59.85% |
And the White Section:
| 1. | Jim Gobert & Chris Chambers | 70.08% |
| 2. | Maria Allnutt & Barbara Barker | 67.42% |
| 3. | Marie Coates & Malcolm Stredwick | 66.29% |
Full results for both Yellow and White are on the website.
The Final is on Sunday 19 April at Stoke by Nayland; any problems, contact who oversees championship events.
Suffolk Singles
John Standley maintained an impressive score with many partners to take this year's Suffolk Individual:
| 1. | John Standley | 64.00% |
| 2. | Norman Denny | 58.44% |
| 3. | Birte Ditchburn | 56.94% |
Full results are on the website.
Sudbury and Colchester Swiss Teams
Thirteen teams took part and in a 'revenge' last round (when rematches were allowed), second placed Green duly extracted a measure of comfort for a first round defeat by Gemmell but were not quite able to overtake them.
| 1. | Peter Gemmell, Peter Sutcliffe, Jim Gobert, Chris Chambers | 83 VPs |
| 2. | Robert Green, Colin Bamberger, Graham Beeton, Jeff Orton | 75 |
| 3. | Mark Honess, Basia Malinowska, Joan P Mayhew, Anne Wilmer | 64 |
Full results are on the website.
Suffolk v Northamptonshire
Suffolk finished their season in the Eastern Counties League with two wins against Northants: the 'A' team won 13-7 VPs (+16 IMPs), the 'B' team lost 2-18 (-64) and the 'C' team won 16-4 (+45). It was a pleasing result as all teams were behind at the halfway stage and Northants were, before the match, at the top of all three divisions.
Team details and butlers are on the Suffolk website as are the standings in each ECL Division [PDF].