The corresponding fixture last season suggested that these two teams were fairly evenly matched, and today’s result served to confirm that theory. As it transpired, the game was won and lost in the first session, rather surprisingly given that game was bid and made on only four of the possible thirty-two occasions, with failing games attempted on another four. Our start was fairly dire, winning two boards but losing the other six for a combined deficit of 28 imps, largely because of three minus scores on four separate occasions.

In the second round, whilst winning only three boards, we managed to claw back 3 imps, followed by a further 1 imp in round three.

The fourth round was our most productive and included our best board of the day when our E/W pairs both made 4H + 1, whilst one of their pairs went off in 6H and the two Pauls found a good sacrifice in 5D doubled. We won another four hands, but lost out on three, clawing back 9 imps in total, thus reducing the deficit to only 15, but insufficient to gain parity, leaving Garforth with a 12 - 8 winning score.

Shirley & Christine were out best scorers (after a shaky start) closely followed by Chris & Pauline. The hosts did well to retain their early advantage, very ably led by their No 1 pair who had plus scores in all four rounds.

By no means a disaster, there is surely better to come.