YCBA NEWS March 2016

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 0

YORKSHIRE CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION
YCBA NEWS

Issue 4 (Previously YCBA Bulletin)

March 2016

Editor’s Notes

In place of a note by me this month, the section is being utilised to provide notice of
the 2016 AGM. However, I would like to draw attention to YCBA News’s first venture
into poetry (page 6) - many thanks to Jeff Wragg for providing it – Jeff has sent
another poem for the next edition but if there are any budding poets out there it would
be good to receive their efforts for use in future editions?

YCBA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting, which will include an opportunity for members’ questions
and discussion, will take place on Friday, 10 June 2016, commencing at 7.15 pm, at
Doncaster Bridge Club.

Anyone wishing to include items for decision at the meeting is asked to notify the County
Secretary by 20 May 2016. Nomination Forms for the election of officers and Board
members are available from the website or the County Secretary and must be received by
the County Secretary no later than 20 May 2016.

The agenda and minutes of the previous meeting along with the notes of the Members’
Meeting held on 28 November 2015 will be forwarded to club secretaries and placed on
the YCBA website approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.

The email address of the YCBA Secretary is [email protected]

David Waxman

Copy Wanted YCBA Communication
with Members
Please send details of results,
successes, achievements for inclusion In these days of increased electronic
in English Bridge to: communication, YCBA would like to
develop a much better facility for providing
- Robin Jepson, Tel: 0113 269 information to members.
5334, [email protected]
Group e-mail communication is proving
- Me for reporting in YCBA News. very effective and popular with a number
of individual clubs.
Contributions to the Bulletin from
members are also encouraged and Our Pianola database currently contains
welcomed by the editor: an e-mail address for only about one-third
of YCBA members.
 reports on events
 articles If you are not one of the one-third (or not
 letters/emails sure) and are willing to be added to those
 other news with whom direct communication is
 views and opinions possible via Pianola please will you
forward your e-mail details to:
David Waxman, 07710 263452
[email protected] Ted Crebbin YCBA Membership
Secretary
Competition forms and news are also
posted on the YCBA website, [email protected]
www.ycba.co.uk

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 1

Recent YCBA/Local/National Events Winners and Successes
January

 2015 Silver Plate runners up - Arthur Selman (Captain), Adrian Ford, Alan Hayward, Bill
Holmes, Martin Ott & Terry Read - all Leeds - see page 3

 Lady Milne Trials - Fiona Brown one of leading pair

 Yorkshire Cup Final Bill Holmes, Paul Below, Alan Barnett & Richard Kempner

February

 Bridge England Sim Pairs Week (Tuesday) Mike Day & Stuart Gabbitas (Brighouse BC)

 EBU Overseas Congress (Cyprus) - Teams - Sandy Davies member of winning team

 Doncaster Swiss Pairs – Carole Kelly & Geoff Kenyon

 Margery Cartwright Yorkshire Simultaneous Pairs - David Sanders &
Peter Rawlins (Richmondshire)

 EBU Spring Congress - Swiss Pairs winners - Bill Townsend and Jack Stocken
 EBU Master Pairs winners - Grand Dave Robinson; Life Roman Gembicki – both with

non-YCBA partners

Forthcoming Events - Details of events available on YCBA website via the Events link

Yorkshire League Fixtures - Match 7 - 6 March
Yorkshire Improvers Pairs - 13th March - Leeds BC - Details on page 7
Yorkshire Pairs - 10 April - Bradford BC - Details on page 7
Nelson Rose Bowl - 20 April - Harrogate BC - Details on page 7
Scarborough Bridge Congress - 15-17 April The Downe Arms, Main Road, Wykeham
Yorkshire Mixed Pairs - 24 April - details on page 7

Early Notice

Yorkshire Individual - Tuesday 10 May - Wakefield BC Note 10.30am
Leeds Swiss Pairs - 15 May - Leeds BC
West Yorkshire Swiss Teams - 22 May - Bradford BC
YCBA Congress - 3 - 5 June - Cairn Hotel, Harrogate
Affiliated Clubs Teams - 8 June - Tickton Grange Hotel, near Beverley Note 10.15am
John Gerrard Simultaneous Pairs - 16 June - Participating Clubs
Castle Swiss Pairs - 19 June - Huddersfield BC
Malton Swiss Teams - 26 June - York BC
Peter Littlewood Pairs - Wednesday 29 June - Sheffield BC – Note 10.15am

Dave Robinson Hints (1)

West had overcalled clubs and led one

J9874 J8 52 8765

AK105 Q10973 AK93 void

How would you plan the play in 4? Dave details his plan on page 4

Dave Robinson’s Hints (2) – From a hand he held in the senior European trials in
December 2015

You are in 4H on a simple auction 3H - 4H

QJx Ax xxxx KQxx

x QJ108xx x Axxxx

West leads a top spade and switches to a club – how to play the hand?
Again his answer on page 4

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 2

Silver Plate Adventure

Our team - Arthur Selman, Alan Hayward, Martin Ott, Terry Read, Bill Holmes & Adrian
Ford, quickly found ourselves playing in it after a first round loss in the Gold Cup. After
winning our first match, a friend and I promised not to get knocked out before
encountering each other. Sadly he was knocked out in the 3rd round, but I tried to keep my
promise, and on 17 January our team travelled down to West Midlands BC in Solihull for
the final. The venue was excellent and the opposition very pleasant; the only
disappointing thing was the result, which was a loss by ten IMPs. Below is one of our
more interesting, and better scoring boards.

Dealer West, Vul: E-W

J1083 97642 K5 At one table the auction went as follows:
83 KQJ76 AT9
- 8 AKQT974 3C - P - 3NT - P
AJ98652 QT 3 P - 4C* - P - 4D
P - 4H - P - P
AQ X - end
542
J6532
K74

East fancied his chances at a vulnerable game with (probably) seven diamond tricks, the
AH and hopefully either his KS, or the AC or perhaps even a rogue King of hearts in
partner’s hand. North, deciding that his hand looked right for sacrificing at this
vulnerability, came back in with 4C showing two places to play. 4D was an attempt to play
in diamonds, and they settled in hearts, West doubling in the hope of attracting a diamond
lead.

East led his singleton club, believing that with the Ace of hearts there was no rush to give
the ruff. Annoyed at his partner leading small from “Q10x” rather than understanding the
double and trying to find his void, (after all, would he really have bid 3NT with just a small
singleton in partner's pre-empt?), West put in the Jack, and was somewhat bemused
when the Queen appeared from North. The King of hearts was taken by the Ace, and
East now led a small diamond away from AKQ to make sure partner ruffed. West, who
had finally clicked, ruffed this and played Ace and another club, and declarer is now stuck.
In practice he tried ruffing low and was over-ruffed, and a spade trick at the end resulted
in -2, and +300 for our cause. At the other table the auction proceeded differently:

P - P - 1D - P
1NT - 2D* - 3NT - end

West didn't fancy bidding either black suit, and, when North showed both majors, East bid
3NT for very much the same reasons as at the other table. When South didn't raise a
major North happily passed and led a top heart. West took the first heart and discovered
the cruel diamond break. The defence came to 4 hearts, 2spades, a diamond and a club
for - 4 and +400, and 12 IMPs to the Leeds team; sadly not enough to win the match.

Doncaster Congress February 2016 - Brian Stones Chairman Doncaster BC

Our annual event drew the maximum number of 84 players - half of which were
members of the Club. The Chairman thanked Mike Chapman for organising the
programme. Compliments from many players were paid to Shaune Chapman for the
Food and Catering service and to the EBU tournament Director Stuart Davies. The
event was won by Geoff Kenyon (Doncaster) in partnership with Carol Kelly (Ilkley).
Detailed results may be found on the Doncaster BC or the YCBA website

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 3

There is more to Bridge than playing the cards!!!

One of the most popular and successful YCBA players for so many years has been our
Vice President Graham Jepson. Despite his great playing record he has long argued that
apart from the cards, bridge clubs and bridge events have a great amount to offer socially.
Graham outlines just a little of his experience.

In the 1970’s, Doncaster and Sheffield Bridge Clubs played social matches which
involved different activities. At first it was tennis and bridge - 4 mixed pairs of tennis won
by Doncaster Bridge Club followed by bridge usually won by Sheffield Bridge Club. But it
wasn’t the winning or losing that mattered – it was the social contact which was enhanced
by a marvellous buffet which we all enjoyed in between the two games.

Kath Grimoldby led Doncaster Bridge Club and I think I set up the Sheffield teams which
included Lesley Millet (as she is now), David Fletcher, Renee Hilton and Sandy Davies.
The unfortunate tragic death of Kath Grimoldby (remembered in one of the YCBA Sim.
Pairs nowadays) ended the events but as anno domini progressed John Hale of
Doncaster and I changed the tennis to crown green bowls - still just as competitive and
enjoyable. Many other sporting activities could be used such as walking, golf, etc.

As I said, there is much more to bridge than playing the cards. Utilise all the talents and
skills of your members!

As we know, bridge linked to other activities occurs regularly as holidays – golf, skiing,
walking etc. However, it would be interesting to hear if clubs arrange other occasional
extended activities for members - Ed

Dave Robinson Hints (1) – the answer

The losing declarer lost his way trying to draw trumps. The problem with that was that
even if trumps broke (they didn't) he could only make 9 tricks as it was sure he would lose
2 clubs and 2 hearts. The winning declarer led a heart at trick 2. Do you see the effect?

If the defence switched to spades declarer would play another heart and now the defence
would have no choice but to continue clubs for a ruff as hearts are all winners. Declarer
continues hearts and all will be well on most distributions of spades and hearts. And
what if the defence had continued clubs at trick 3? Well now the hearts are abandoned
and using diamond ruffs declarer is able to ruff all 4 of his clubs in dummy making 8
trumps and AK of diamonds. Remember this expression “first attend to the side suit"

Dave Robinson Hints (2) – the answer

The club looks like a singleton and if east gets on lead he will give partner a ruff. To stand
any chance this is a good example of the scissors coup missed by several players at the
higher levels.

Lead the QS and throw the small diamond from hand. Now the contract is safe by playing
ace and another heart when in unless east has Kx exactly.

I found this play in my sleep but have to confess that I tried to be a little too clever in
trumps and ended up one down also - My plea is pressure and fatigue.

Tip 2 When defending don't automatically lead a suit headed by the AK.
West held AKxxx K9xx Kxx x

Waddington Shield

The county’s premier team knockout event has reached the semi-final stage featuring:
Hobson (Roy Garthwaite and Denis & Pearl Murphy) v Latham (Ted Latham, Agnes
&Peter Baxter and Judith Biles Bryan Snodgrass) and; Gisborne (David Banks, Keith
Cornish, Sandy Davies, Arthur Hughes & Mike Pomfrey) v Pike (Phil Godfrey, Dave
Robinson & James Thrower)

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 4

Hull and East Riding Inter Firms CBA

At the YCBA Members’ Meeting in November when discussion focussed on
participation and numbers I referred to the thriving Hull Inter-Firms CBA in which I
played in the 70’s and early 80’s. Ian Cook, still a top Hull player, was its secretary
between 1974/5 and 1983/84 provided most of the information for the following article.

As a separate organisational entity, Hull Inter-Firms CBA ran a teams-of-4 league as
well as a handicapped team and pairs events. In Ian’s final year the number of teams
playing reached its peak of fifty spread across six divisions - four consisting of eight
teams and two of nine. We played each of the other teams in our division both home
and away each season so making a commitment of fourteen or sixteen Tuesday
evenings plus the annual pairs and teams events.

The key point of interest is that a majority of the teams were based on large firms’
social clubs and for many of those who played it was their only experience of duplicate
Bridge. It was very enjoyable to go “away” visiting a range of social clubs and meeting
a wider range of opponents than simply regular Bridge Club attendees.

Admittedly, not all of the teams represented firms - of the fifty, eight were named Hull
Bridge Club (BC) and, as the team names below indicate, other professions and clubs
also took part. Even so, the focus on firms may be relatively unusual - though the
London Business Houses CBA offers another high profile example and for the 2015-
2016 season has twenty eight teams spread across five divisions. As recently as the
2001-2002 season there were fifty teams participating. I wonder how many teams
there were 30 years ago. (A look at their website makes interesting reading)

A look at Ian’s ten years as Secretary shows that apart from Hull BC, other clubs in the
League were Young People’s Institute with five teams and West Hull BC. The
academic world was represented by Hull Teachers, Hessle Teachers as well as two
University Staff teams and, pleasingly, two University student teams.

Other “non-firms” participating were Customs Waterguard, Hull Bankers, NALGO, and
the strangely termed Ladies Pride whose captain took the name from a clothes range
stocked in his wife’s dress shop.

The range of actual “firms” included large and small companies. Larger firms entering
a multiple number of teams were Blackburn’s (Aircraft Company), BP Chemicals,
Fenners (Engineering), Ideal Standard, Northern Foods, and Reckitt and Colman.
APCM - Portland Cement had one team. Smaller companies in the League were
Greensmiths, Hodgson Harris and Spinks the Chemist. The first two were local
stationers and accountants respectively with the third speaking for itself..

Sadly, there has since been a gradual relentless decline in the number of teams so
that now there are just fourteen playing in two divisions in what has become termed
the Hull & District Teams of Four CBA.

At its peak the Inter Firms League sat alongside a Teams of 8 Inter Clubs League.
General changes in participation levels and interest in competitive Bridge seem to be
well reflected in looking at local leagues in Hull. It also provides a glimpse as to how
competitions can vary locally.

If your area has an interesting angle on local team Bridge please would you provide a
short description for a future edition?

Tollemache Cup Final - the inter-county championships for teams of eight

Sandy Davies, Tom Gisborne, Phil Godfrey, Richard Pike, David Robinson, Sarah
Teshome, James Thrower & Richard Winter represented the county in the Final held
on the 2nd weekend in February finishing in seventh place in the inevitable strong field.
Sarah Teshome and Richard Winter replaced Brian Senior and Sandra Penfold from
the qualifying team.

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 5

Leading YCBA Members Master Points

The YCBA members gaining the most master points in each rank in 2015 are listed
below. Full information on EBU website http://www.ebu.co.uk/mpreports/2015

Premier Grand Master Sandy Davies Sheffield
Grand Master Frank Littlewood Sheffield
Premier Life Master Judith Biles Keighley
Life Master Alan Jarvis Bradford
Premier National Master James Thrower York
National Master Philip Morrison Leeds
Star Premier Regional Master John Blackett Jnr Ripon
Premier Regional Master Tom Copeland Leeds
Star Regional Master Graham Boardman Ripon
Regional Master Alan Hayward Leeds
Premier Tournament Master Nick Peel Phoenix
Star Premier Master Arthur Selman Leeds
Premier Master Christina Powne Harrogate
Star Tournament Master Shirley Blamires Brighouse
Tournament Master Frank Bedi Wetherby
Star Master Martin Ott Leeds
Advanced Master Philip Cooper Doncaster
Master John Dobinson Castle
County Master Oliver Cowan Leeds
District Master Daniel Winter Bradford
Area Master Emma Bentley Sheffield
Club Master Andrew Pearson Keighley
Local Master Stephen Clifford Olicana
Unranked Anthony Taglione Olicana

Leading Gold Points – top 5 (in order)

Brian Senior Sandra Penfold Sandy Davies Tom Gisborne Phil Godfrey

Leader Boards (first in category)

Level 4: Star, Tournament, Premier and Premier Tournament Masters - Martin Ott

Level 5: County, Masters and Advanced Masters - Oliver Cowan

Level 6: Unranked, Local, Club, Area and District Masters - Emma Bentley

Tops and Bottoms by Bert Howard

You sit round a table, your hand in your hands.
It’s only a card game but makes such demands.
Enough points to open or should I just pass?
Or perhaps try a pre-empt - that would cut quite a dash!
I’m not the dealer - opener bids first.
They open one heart and I fear the worst.
Now a double from partner - for takeout that’s clear.
Things look a lot brighter - four spades could be near.
They push us to five and lead out two aces
But I trump the second - the look on their faces!
Drawing trumps is no problem, the split isn’t bad
And a long suit in dummy - more tricks to be had.
I get rid of my losers - they should have led clubs.
It’s a top not a bottom so we’re off to the pub!

Supplied by Jeff Wragg who received this from Bert on a Bridge holiday

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 6

YCBA Organised Events

Yorkshire Improvers Pairs
Sponsored by Learn Bridge Yorkshire
Sunday 13th March 2016 11.00am to 4:00pm
Leeds Bridge Club Stonegate Road, Leeds LS17 6EL

This event is for beginners and players below the rank of Club Master aimed at players
who have recently completed the 2nd year of a bridge course, or who prefer to compete
in "No Fear" improver events. Restricted to 40 pairs - one session of 24 boards
Entry fee £13 per player (juniors & students £7) - includes a two-course meal
Enquiries & entries to Brian Davison [[email protected]] 8 Woodvale

Terrace, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4JW Tel: 0113 258 9824

Yorkshire Pairs Championship
Sunday 10th April 2016 1.00 pm
Bradford Bridge Club

8 Mornington Villas, Bradford, BD8 7HB (Tel: 01274 543100)
Entry charge of £46 per pair includes a meal.

This is the major YCBA Open Pairs competition. The leading 5 pairs are invited to
represent Yorkshire in the Corwen Trophy (EBU Inter-County Pairs Championship) on
30th-31st May, 2015. The YCBA pays the entry fee and allows £30 per player towards
other expenses. Dual EBU membership players whose county of allegiance is other
than Yorkshire can play in the event but not represent Yorkshire in the Corwen Trophy

Green Point Awards

Total Number of Pairs Top Player Award

31-40 4 Awards to 9th place

41-50 4.25 Awards to 10th place

51-60 4.5 Awards to 11th place

Enquiries & entries to: Stuart Davies [[email protected]] 4 Moorhead Lane, Shipley,
BD18 4JH (Tel: 01274 598408) Cheques payable to YCBA You may also pay by bank
transfer - sort code 16-23-37 account number 00225326 Please quote reference YP16
and e-mail Stuart Davies giving players' names and EBU numbers. Entries received
after the closing date, 05 April, will be accepted only at the discretion of the organisers.

The Nelson Rose Bowl
Ladies' Teams of Four Competition

Wednesday 13th April 2016
10:30 for an 11:00 am start until around 4:00 pm

Harrogate Bridge Club
27 Robert Street, Harrogate HG1 1HP (Tel: 01423 568110)
Entry charge £72.00 per team (inc. lunch between sessions). Enquiries & entries to:
Janet Latham [[email protected]] 01423 879438; 8 Pellentine Road,
Follifoot, Harrogate, HG3 1EB. Cheques payable to Harrogate BC. Closing date: 08
April

The Yorkshire Mixed Pairs
Sunday 24th April 2016 starting at 1.00 pm

Wetherby Bridge Club
9B Crossley Street, Wetherby LS22 6RT, Tel: 01274 543100

Entry charge of £40 per pair includes a meal.
For qualifiers from club heats: Entry fee is £36 per pair. All Enquiries & entries to:
Stuart Davies [[email protected]] 4 Moorhead Lane, Shipley, BD18 4JH (Tel: 01274
598408) Cheques payable to YCBA. Bank transfer to sort code 16-23-37 account
number 00225326. Please quote reference MXD+surname and e-mail Stuart Davies
giving players' names and EBU numbers. Entries received after the closing date, 19th
April, will be accepted only at the discretion of the organisers.

YCBA NEWS March 2016 Page 7