November 2009
Universal Membership
The English Bridge Union's plans for Universal Membership are now less that six months away. Early next year clubs will be submitting take-on data and testing their systems. What should you know about it?
The EBU naturally have a dedicated webpage but we have created our own central page on the Suffolk website for matters particular to us. There you'll find documents, links and information on county funding under Pay-to-Play. There is also a page of frequently asked questions such as:
- Q: How much extra will it cost at my club?
- Just 20p (the picture was a hint); read the full Answer
- Q: Can a club be a member of Suffolk but not the EBU?
- No – see website for full Answer
- Q: Will non-members be able to play in Suffolk events?
- Only beginners and students – see website for full Answer
- Q: Are small counties like Suffolk effectively footing the bill for the change?
- The county will pay about the same – see website for full Answer
- Q: Will non-affiliated clubs be able to hold national simultaneous pairs?
- Mostly not – see website for full Answer
And more questions and answers…
If you've any questions or comments on Universal Membership or P2P is the 'UM' contact but you can talk to anyone on the Suffolk committee.
Whilst 20p is a very reasonable price to pay for the support of the national organisation, perhaps not with the coin in the picture, one of 250,000 (of 136 million 20p pieces minted in 2008-09) with no date. See the Royal Mint for more info (from whom I borrowed the graphic).
Bridge in the Cupboard
Despite the initials, 'AD' turns out to be the Three of Diamonds but then, there was much that wasn't immediately obvious about him.
Forthcoming Events
Novice Pairs
Sunday 8th November 2009, 2:00pm at Stoke by Nayland. This event is primarily intended for students taking bridge lessons, Bridge for All Students, and social players new to duplicate bridge. Only simple bidding systems are allowed. The emphasis will be on friendly and enjoyable bridge. Entrants do not need to be members of the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association.
There will be two short sessions with a break for tea, included in the £10.00 per player cost. Entries and inquiries to (01284 789546). You can download an entry form (PDF).
Suffolk Simultaneous
Week beginning Monday 23rd November 2009 at participating clubs. Played on a regular club evening - individual club notice-boards and websites will have details.
Suffolk Knock-out Teams
Sunday 6th December 2009, 2:00pm at Stoke by Nayland. A knock-out competition for teams of four played in four rounds, the first two of which are played at the venue above. Round one divides the field into two, round two for the top half is to qualify four teams for the semi-finals to be played by arrangement. For the second half of the field, round two is an all-play-all plate competition.
Green-Points are available for placed teams in both events. EBU level four conventions are permitted and teams of up to six are allowed. Players need not be members of SCBA to play in the venue event but must be members to play in the knock-out stages. Entries (£10.00 per player) and questions to SCBA competitions secretary .
Results
Bridge Great Britain Autumn Simul
There were national top-ten finishes for Mike O'Reilly & Doc Lacey at Stowmarket in the Wednesday event and Carole Gunthorpe & June Grist (Newmarket) and Tony Aldous & Sue Aldous (Bury) in the Thursday heat. The following were all in the top-60.
Wednesday
| 3. | Mike O'Reilly & Doc Lacey | 72.65% | Stowmarket |
| 39. | Dick Davis & David Huxtable | 65.16% | Stratford St. Mary |
Results for 2301 pairs playing at 139 clubs in 7 countries.
Thursday
| 4. | Carole Gunthorpe & June Grist | 69.33% | Newmarket |
| 5. | Tony Aldous & Sue Aldous | 69.00% | Bury St. Edmunds |
| 42. | Julie Menzies & David Haig-Thomas | 64.24% | Ipswich & Kesgrave |
| 55. | James Manning & Nick Farr | 63.56% | Bury St. Edmunds |
| 58. | Rosemarie Mascall & Norman Denny | 63.44% | Tally Ho |
Results for 2065 pairs playing at 121 clubs in 7 countries.
Summer League
Also known as the Inter-club Teams of Eight, the divisional stage is nearly complete. The winners of one division will play the runners-up in the other, so it is Colchester v Frinton for certain but Ipswich & Kesgrave must wait on the remaining fixtures from Division 2 to see who they will play.
| Division 1 | Ips | Fri | Woo | Fel | Sto | VPs |
| Ipswich & Kesgrave | ** | 5 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 62 |
| Frinton | 15 | ** | 7 | 20 | 14 | 56 |
| Woodbridge | 3 | 13 | ** | 15 | 20 | 51 |
| Felixstowe | 0 | 0 | 5 | ** | 20 | 25 |
| Stowmarket | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ** | 6 |
| Division 2 | Col | Cla | Bur | Fra | VPs |
| Colchester | ** | 20 | 17 | 20 | 57 |
| Clare | 0 | ** | 16 | -- | 16 |
| Bury | 3 | 4 | ** | -- | 7 |
| Framlingham | 0 | -- | -- | ** | 0 |
Suffolk v Herts
All Suffolk teams suffered defeat at the hands of Hertfordshire: the 'A' lost 3-17 VPs (-49 IMPs), the 'B' team 4-16 (-41) and the 'C' team 2-18 (-62). Team details and butlers are on the Suffolk website.
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 captain .