‘B’  v  LEEDS ‘D’

18.10.2009

This was a re-match of last year’s Division 9 decider, and produced a hard-fought encounter in which, unfortunately for us, Leeds managed to reverse the result.

The first round was the closest and whilst we lost five boards and won only three, we sneaked a 6 imp lead.   The cards favoured the E/W pairs, but there were game scores available all round, even if not always bid or made.   The four plus scores obtained on board 4 where our pairs alone made 3NT proved decisive.   Board 3 was an oddity - 4H bid and made three times from East but a Leeds south player made 2C doubled, presumably a bidding misunderstanding.

The second round saw some rather mundane hands, with a game bid and made only three times in the entire round.   Although sharing the boards we lost 15 imps for a half time deficit of 9.

Round three saw a return of bias in the cards for E/W of which Ray & Christine took some advantage but we sustained some telling losses, including two hands on which slams were available, and went a further 18 imps behind.

There was a steady effort to close the gap, spearheaded by Paul & Ingrid who came to life somewhat after trailing behind Paddy & Val in the earlier rounds.   They bid and made 5H from the West seat when elsewhere N/S were making eleven tricks in spades.   18 imps were clawed back for a closing total of 9 (as at the interval), a losing score of 9 - 11.

Obviously the visitors were very determined and gave little away.   Their pair playing at table 1 did particularly well after an early mauling from Ray & Christine, whilst their pair 4 alone recorded four plus scores.

Not a victory, but a close - run thing.   Better to come?

Pair	1^st Session	2^nd Session	3^rd Session	4^th Session	Total
Ray & Christine	1940	250	1770	-290	3670
Paddy & Val	-900	-250	-1670	-170	-2990
Chris & Pauline	880	-70	170	-190	790
Paul & Ingrid	-1100	-1220	-1360	1520	-2160
Leeds 1	-1940	1220	-170	170	-720
Leeds 2	900	-250	1360	190	2200
Leeds 3	-880	250	-1770	-1520	-3920
Leeds 4	1100	70	1670	290	3130