EUROPEAN CUP SUCCESS
Martin
Kane playing with Patrick Shields from
Gloucestershire qualified for the final
of the European Pairs at San Remo. This
is a magnificent achievement as many top
European players were eliminated at the
qualifying stage.
|
GOLD CUP SUCCESS
The team of
Clive Owen, Malcolm Oliver, Chris Owen,
John Atthey ably assisted by Charles and
Vi Outred from Glasgow have progressed
to the last 16 of the UK's most
prestigious event by beating the seeded
team captained by Brian Short of
Scotland. Short's team included the
majority of the team that won the Gold
Cup 3 years ago. |
NEBA v SCOTLAND
The Team to face Scotland ED at Berwick
on Sunday 5th July is
|
Ian Rankin & Mike Stanbury |
Ray Green & Gill Gold |
|
Brian Lumsden & Norman McTaggart |
Margaret McCabe & Marion Curran |
|
Frank & Janet Springett |
Ken Spragg & Tony Couchman |
|
Dom Maloney & Tom Dessain |
Neil & Inga Aiston. |
|
NEBA SUCCESS IN NORTHERN BRIDGE LEAGUE
On 13th June two NEBA
teams-of-eight competed admirably at
Bradford in the first round of this
inter- County Teams competition.
The ‘C’ Team – Pauline & Nigel Durie (C)
+ Jill & Roger Hancock + Sue & Dick
Davies + David Milner & David Joy – were
joint winners of their section.
The ‘B’ Team – Ian Rankin & Mike
Stanbury + Janet & Frank Springett +
Clare Dutton & Robin Zygmond + Laura
Perryman & Rob Morris were second in
their section.
The ‘C’ Team would have won their
section if a lorry hadn’t caused chaos
by dumping a load of pig manure on the
A1, leading to a late arrival fine.
Full results
http://www.northernbridgeleague.org.uk/
|
ANDREW KAMBITES
Cramlington Bridge Club have invited
Andrew Kambites to give a seminar
on the topic of
‘ACTIVE OR PASSIVE DEFENCE’
More
information
here.
|
|
KEMPSON FINALS
Kempson Cup Winners - Clive Owen, Malcolm
Oliver, Dave Broadhead & Martin Kane.
Kempson Plate Winners - Clare Dutton, James
Ewington, Eve Hatfield and Robin Zigmond.
Kempson Cup runners up were :
Janet & Frank Springett + Brenda Osbourne &
Alec Simpson.
Kempson Plate runners up were :
Catherine Longley, Margaret Gilbert, Rene
McMahon & Jill Hancock.
Congratulations to both Teams & thanks to
Peter Burnip for Directing the Finals so
smoothly. |
|
CONGRATULATIONS
Four NEBA members have just had a
particularly successful weekend.
Malcolm Oliver and Martin Kane,
Dave Broadhead and Damian Hassan,
won their Nicko match on
Friday night to progress to the last 16 of
this national event. On Saturday they were
part of the Hurworth team that qualified to
play in the Garden Cities final. Then on
Sunday they were in the winning Kempson Cup
team.
For the sixth successive year
David Broadhead has been captain of a Nicko
team that has not only been the last
surviving NEBA team in the event but has
also progressed to at least the last 16 of
this national knockout teams event. This is
a team of 6 and in previous rounds Chris
Owen and Clive Owen have also played. On
Friday they beat a Sheffield team but next
round have drawn the strongest team left in
the competition, a Manchester quartet
captained by Michelle Brunner. The
Manchester team have previously been Gold
Cup finalists.
On Saturday the four above mentioned
together with Chris Owen, John Atthey, Clive
Owen and Bill March came second representing
Hurworth in the northern final of the Garden
Cities. This is the EBU club teams of 8
championship. In a very strong field they
qualified for the national final for a
second successive year, the first time this
has every been done by a North East team.
On Sunday the team of Clive Owen, Malcolm
Oliver, Martin Kane and David Broadhead,
Bill March and Damien Hassan beat a team
captained by Frank Springett playing with
his wife, Janet, and Brenda Osborne and Alec
Simpson. Initially it looked likely to be a
one sided affair with the Owen team 68 imps
ahead after 16 boards. The Springett team
rallied strongly over the next 8 boards
reducing the deficit to 37 imps. The last
24 boards were more closely contested and
the Owen team eventually were the winners by
45 imps.
Two new records were established. Clive
Owen first won the Kempson Cup 35 years
ago. The gap between winning the event for
the first and last time equalled the record
previously set by the late Len Wood. Also,
Bill March won the event for a record 17
times.
Simultaneously, the final of the Kempson
Plate was held at the St Georges Bridge
Centre and the team of Clare Dutton, Robin
Zingmond, James Ewington and Eve Hatfield
beat the team captained by Catherine Longley
by 95 imps.
CFO 18 May 2009
|
|
SUCCESS IN TURKEY AT THE SCOTTISH CONGRESS
Janet &
Frank Springett won the Swiss Pairs event at
the first SBU Overseas Congress held in
Marmaris May 2 to May 7 |
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
I know its hard to believe but in July, St.
Georges Bridge Centre celebrates its 10th
anniversary. The committee have planned a
weekend (10 - 12 July) of various bridge
activities .
On Saturday night (11 July) they are holding
a Play with the Experts
teams night with the additional excitement
of Strawberries and Fizz at the interval.
The experts are Jason and Justin Hackett and
the late great John Armstrong and John
Holland. This event will be open to non
members of St Georges Bridge Centre to which
a cordial invitation is extended.
Emailed entries to
bev@stgeorgesbridge.co.uk |
|
EBU SPRING FOURSOMES
Although a
team of U 25's including Chris Owen and John
Atthey from NEBA together with Fiona Brown
and Alex Morris were knocked out in the
fourth round they did manage one outstanding
result when they beat the full current Gold
Cup holders captained by Janet de Botton by
70 imps in a 32 board match. |
|
FIRE AT BRUNTON
There has
been a fire at St Aidan's Community Centre,
and Brunton Bridge Club has had to move,
temporarily, to alternative premises.
On Mondays 20th April, 4th May and 11th May,
we will be playing at Gosforth Civic Centre,
on Regents Farm Road.
From 25th May,
until further notice, we will be meeting at
Northern Rugby Club, at McCracken Park,
Gosforth.
THERE WILL BE NO BRIDGE ON MONDAYS
27TH APRIL AND 18TH MAY. Full
story of the fire here. |
|
NEBA YOUTH SUCCESS
The
Arnott Davidson trophy has been won by the
NE region, with three pairs from Yorkshire
and Tom Pallister and Ben Wooff from the
NEBA area. The NE region won the Northern
final at Sheffield. The Southern final was
not contested, and so the overall title goes
to the NE. |
|
CLEAN SWEEP AT PEEBLES
Clive
Owen & Charles Outred won the Friday Pairs,
the Swiss Pairs and, with Violet Outred and
Michael Alexander they won the Swiss Teams
at the
Buchanan
Congress in Peebles.
To round off the NEBA clean sweep Mike and
Dorothy Craig won the 'No Fear' Congress.
|
VAL GIBSON CBE
Congratulations to Val Gibson who
was awarded the CBE in the New Year's
Honours List.
|
JIMMY MILLER
Jimmy Miller passed away on Tuesday 30th
December, his funeral will be at
Sunderland crematorium on Friday 9th
January.
|
WYN BOOTH
Wyn Booth died suddenly in
hospital on the 22nd of December. She had
been taken to the hospital at the weekend
with a chest infection, and appeared to be
improving, however it was not to be. |
TOLLEMACHE
The North East team finished a
disappointing 5th out 10 in their group
at the Tollemache last weekend. It was
particularly disappointing as the team
starting so strongly winning their first
3 matches 12-8, 20-0 and 19-1 against
Northants, Middlesex and Lincs
respectively.
The win by 20-0 over a very strong
Middlesex side who showed their class by
still winning the group was an
outstanding performance. Unfortunately
on Saturday evening the team performed
poorly losing to Bedfordshire
Oxfordshire and Staffs and Shropshire.
Things picked up on Sunday when we beat
Cumbria and Gloucestershire. So with a
match to go we could still have
qualified. However a strong Manchester
side who had previously underperformed
played well and we lost 20-0
|
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY WEARSIDE
Herewith the planned celebrations
for the 60 years young Wearside Bridge
Club. February 2009
Mon. 2nd. to which our NEBA
friends are invited to help kick start
the week.
60th Anniversary set hands for pairs.
Tues. 3rd. 60th Anniversary
lucky dip team event. (draw for partner
team)
Wed. 4th
(the actual anniversary of the formation
meeting)
60th Anniversary Aggregate score slam
bang (set hands).
Thurs 5th.
Eileen Spalding (inaugural) pairs event.
Eileen was one if the characters
of the club who, sadly, died last
year.
Sunday 8th. The Grant Cohen
Memorial comp. Grant was one of our
larger than life characters
whose love of fun is celebrated annually
at this competition.
|
FOUR NEBA JUNIOR INTERNATIONALS
As short a time ago as 2004 the North
East had never produced a Junior
International. It is with some pride
that we can now announce that 4 of our
U25s have been selected to play for
England in forthcoming Internationals.
John Atthey and Chris Owen have been
selected to play in the Channel Trophy
against France, Belgium and the
Netherlands. This event will be held in
London on 19/20/21 December.
Tom Dessain and Dom Maloney have been
selected to play in the Junior Camrose
against Scotland, Wales, Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in
February 2009. All 4 players have
played for Hurworth in the 'A' Division
this year and their selection for the
international team is well merited as
they have all won National competitions
over the last 12 months.
Clearly, we are very fortunate to have 4
such talented junior players in the area
simultaneously but it does demonstrate
the rewards achieved when time is taken
with junior players. We hope this will
encourage other youngsters in the North
East to re-double their efforts to
improve their game.
Clive Owen
|
NO FEAR CONGRESS AT PEEBLES
I would like to inform you of
the No Fear Congress that we
are running
at Peebles Hydro from 27th to 29th
March 2009.
It is aimed at learners who have
completed at least one year of
tuition and who would like to have a
taste of a bridge congress without
the stress of playing against strong
players.
There will
be four sessions of pairs over the
weekend and they could choose to
omit one if they wanted to go
shopping in Peebles or just have a
rest. Their two best scores would
count towards their final placing.
All boards would be duplicated
across all sections and hand records
would available at the end to
encourage discussion.
The SBU National congresses at
Peebles are very popular with many
players from England and we would
like to extend this to the less
experienced players.
Information
is available on the West District
website at
www.sbuwest.co.uk
If you wish I can send you paper
brochures.Needless to say, that if
any of your club players would like
to come to the main congress (red
pointed), they would be made most
welcome.
Regards,
David Merriman Congress Convener
|
NORTHERN BRIDGE LEAGUE
Two
NEBA Teams played at Bradford in the
final round of the Northern Bridge
League on 25th October.
The NEBA ‘B’ Team – Ian Rankin & Hayden
Dando + Gill Gold & Ray Green + Ted
Murdoch & Tony Wardle + Ken Pattison &
Peter Allan – were second to Yorkshire.
The NEBA ‘C’ Team – Nigel & Pauline
Durie + Roger & Jill Hancock + Dick &
Sue Davies + David Joy & David Milner
were second to Manchester.For overall
results see
http://www.northernbridgeleague.org.uk/
Over the season, the NEBA Teams
performed well and enjoyed all their
matches.
|
|
YOUTH BRIDGE - SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER
Ken
Pattison is
running a heat of the Schools
Simultaneous Minibridge/Bridge Pairs event
organised by the English Bridge Union (EBU).
This is a national event run within a set
time scale, with schools all over the
country playing exactly the same hands,
these hands then being scored up at the EBU
headquarters. Details can be found in the
Youth Bridge section at
www.ebu.co.uk . The date is Sat. 6th
December ’08 at St Georges Bridge Centre.
Details of the Bridge Centre and its
location can be found at
www.stgeorgesbridge.co.uk.
The event is intended to be
light hearted and informative, but with a
slight competitive edge. Other schools will
be attending and there are up to 12 hands to
play over a period of about 2/ 2½ hours.
Start time is 10.00, therefore it is
requested everybody gets there by 09.45 at
the latest. Refreshments and prizes will be
provided by courtesy of our sponsors
Hurworth Bridge Club.
In previous years we have
simultaneously provided “taste bridge”
sessions for interested
parents/family/friends and we are expecting
to do the same again, so do give it a try.
If you would
like a refresher Ken is going to hold a
walk-in session on Sat morning 15th
Nov at St Georges.
All welcome, both players and helpers. Start
9.30, come when you like, stay as long as
you like. |
PEEBLES SUCCESS
The team of
Chris Owen Clive Owen and the Scottish
pair Charles and Vi Outred won the major
teams event 'The Herald Trophy' at the
main Scottish Congress of the year
played at the Peebles Hydro.
This was a
notable double for Chris Owen as he had
also won the July Teams event at Peebles
albeit in a different team. It was also
the first time a father /son combination
has won this longstanding trophy.
Sandy Allan was in the winning team for
the 2 board Knock-Out a charity raising
event on the Sunday morning.
|
THE LEDERER
The
Lederer is probably the most
prestigious Invitation Event run in
this country. Organised by the
London Association it attracts an
extremely powerful field. This year
was no exception. The players there
were a Who's Who of the current top
players in the UK. It was quite an
honour therefore for John Atthey and
Chris Owen to represent the English
Juniors. Although their team not
unexpectedly finished last it was a
tremendous learning experience. |
|
81%
Amalia Jobes and Rita Robson scored
a massive 81% during the final evening play
on the holiday in Cala San Vicente. Both
players compete regularly at the Whitburn
and Wearside Bridge Clubs. Other members
beware! |
GREAT NORTHERN SWISS SUCCESS
Clive
Owen and John Atthey
finished 2nd in the Great Northern
Swiss Pairs on the 4th / 5th
Oct.
In so doing they narrowly failed to
complete a double as they won the
event the previous year.
|
TOLLEMACHE SELECTION 2008
The team to represent the North East in the
Tollemache in November is :John
Atthey, Dave Broadhead, Julian Gibson, Val
Gibson, Damian Hassan, Martin Kane, Bill
March, Chris Owen, Clive Owen, Malcolm
Oliver. |
BOOK REQUEST
I
very much wish to obtain a copy of "Kempson
on Bidding", the 1937 edition for
preference.
Given Kempson's connection with the
North-East over a long period, I was
hoping that one of your members
might have a copy that is no longer
required: would it be possible for
you to publish something on the
website asking anyone with a spare
copy to contact me?
Incidentally,
I suspect that the Dr Niman whose
name is commemorated in the Niman
Israel Cup is Ralph Niman. He was a
prominent player in the North before
and immediately after WW2 and was a
member of the EBU selection
committee. He partnered Joel Tarlo
in the Camrose match v Republic of
Ireland in 1946; Kempson wrote about
the selection process as follows in
the December 1946 edition of
Contract Bridge Journal:
“Joe O’Neill was coming over …
Clearly there was only one person
capable of sitting up with Joe until
4 a.m., so we were selected. This
let in Selby Wraith as a sort of
hospital ship …
“Somebody then said that Mr [Joel]
Tarlo was a fine player ... Being
polite, he did not contradict the
statement … Mr Tarlo was selected …
Questioned as to his choice of
partner, Mr Tarlo was about to reply
when Mr Niman offered him a
cigarette … Mr Butler offered him a
cigar … Mr Niman … ordered a whisky
and soda for Mr Tarlo … Mr Niman was
selected.
“It was then felt that some effort
should be made to win the match so
Mr L. Tarlo and Mr J Janes were
selected.”
The match was lost!
Richard Fleet
16 Upper Hall Park
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 2NW
01442 875968
|
NORTHERN LEAGUE SUCCESS
Both
the NEBA ‘B’ & ‘C’ Teams were
successful in the second round
matches of the Inter-County Northern
Bridge League on Saturday 30th
July.
The ‘B’ Team was Ian Rankin (Capt),
Mike Stanbury, Gill Gold, Ray Green,
Ken Pattison, Peter Allan, Phil
Smith & Dom Maloney. Playing at
Bradford, they were joint top with
Yorkshire.
The ‘C’ Team was Nigel Durie (Capt),
Pauline Durie, Jill Hancock, Roger
Hancock, Sue Davies, Dick Davies,
David Joy & David Milner. Playing
at Brierfield, they finished a
creditable third on the day.
Full
details
http://www.northernbridgeleague.org.uk/
|
SCARBOROUGH SUCCESS
The EBU
Northern Summer Congress was again held
at Scarborough. Clive Owen's team of
John Holland from Manchester, Giles
Foster from Yorkshire and Ron McEwan
from Derbyshire successfully defended
the Main Teams Final Trophy winning by
the narrow margin of 1 imp over the
second place.
The team of Emily Goodway Linda
Benneworth Joan Astill and Stella
Findlay also qualified for the main
final.
|
BRIGHTON SUCCESS
John Atthey who is now playing in the
NEBA area, won the Brighton Swiss Pairs
competition playing with Simon Cope.
This considerable victory was achieved
against 474 pairs. |
HARROGATE SUCCESS
Although only 2 teams containing NE
players participated both trophies
travelled home northwards. In first
place were Clive Owen, John Atthey
and the Yorkshire pairing of Liz Reese
and Mark Bratley. In third place and
winners of the non expert shield were
Eve Hatfield James Ewington Claire
Dutton and Robin Zigmond.
|
HEXHAM NEWS
Hexham Bridge Club are having to move
for three weeks while development works
at Wentworth Leisure Centre are
completed.
They are re-locating to The TORCH Centre
on Thursdays, 7th, 14th and 21st of
August and will be back at Wentworth
Leisure Centre on the 28th August.
|
PEEBLES SUCCESS
At the
July Peebles Congress the team of Liz
Muir, Chris Owen and John Atthey from
the North East and Liz Reece from
Yorkshire won the main event of the
congress - the teams final.
This was a particularly good achievement
as they also won their qualifying round
in what was undoubtedly the toughest
section finishing ahead of a number of
internationals who played for their
country in the recent European
Championships.
North East players did particularly well
in this event with Steve and Georgia Ray
in a team that finished third.
Ian Rankin, Ajit Shivdasani, Mike
Stanbury and David Morrison finished
fourth and Clive Owen and Malcolm Oliver
were in a team that finished fifth.
This must be the best overall result
ever achieved by North East players in
the major final at a Peebles Congress.
|
|
ALNWICK BRIDGE CLUB HOLIDAY
The Alnwick Bridge Club committee is
pleased to announce it has arranged a
holiday for next year at the spacious
Victorian AA 3-Star Cumbria Grand Hotel,
Grange-over-Sands which overlooks Morecambe
Bay and Grange Golf Course. Andrew Kambites, a bridge Grandmaster, EBU
senior congress director and experienced
teacher will offer Bridge tuition on this
holiday.
Full details and a booking form can be
obtained from the Club's web site.
www.alnwickbridgeclub.co.uk |
Grand Hotel,
Grange-over-Sands
|
GERARD FAULKNER SALVER SUCCESS
The team of
Clive Owen plus three Manchester
players, John Holland, Bill Hirst and
John Hassett, beat the Kent team
captained by Denis O'Donovan by 54 imps
in the final of the Gerard Faulkner
Salver which is the National Knock Out
teams competition for Senior players.
Their team included three players who
have won the Gold Cup.
After 16
boards O'Donovan had led by 40 imps. In previous
rounds, matches had been won
against teams from Hampshire,
Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire and
Manchester.
|
|
GARDEN CITIES SUCCESS
Hurworth, the winners of the North East
Inter Club teams of 8 competition,
represented the NEBA at the weekend in the
Northern Regional finals at Bradford with
the top 2 teams qualifying for the 8 team
national final.
The team of Julian Gibson Haydn Dando Clive
Owen Chris Owen Malcolm Oliver Martin Kane
David Broadhead and Damian Hassan came
second on a split tie but 15 victory points
clear of third and so represent the North
East in the final at Solihull on 21st June. |
|
OBITUARIES FOR IAN SPOORS
Are shown separately
here |
KEMPSON CUP WINNERS 2007/8
The
Final of the Kempson Cup was won by Clive
Owen's Team - Clive Owen, Malcolm Oliver, Bill March,
Damian Hassan, Martin Kane & Dave Broadhead.
They beat Tony Jackson's Team - Tony Jackson, Fred Dalton,
David Joy & David Milner - in a hard fought match.
Nigel Durie was the TD. |
|
HEATON IN THE 50'S - 'LEGENDS OF THE EBOR
STREET GANG'
 If
you lived in or around Newcastle in the 50's
you may be interested in this new novel by
local writer John Rothwell.
Michael Bailey is an
intelligent and perceptive ‘almost twelve’
year old living in the terraced streets of railway
houses in post war Britain. These Legends,
written from his perspective and
delightfully embellished by the author, give
an unashamedly nostalgic insight into the
nineteen fifties. They portray relationships
within families, loyal and lasting
friendships and the working class ethics of
the time. The novel evokes memories of an era
that will soon be forgotten and is
sensitively written with great humour and
pathos.
Copies can be purchased directly from the
author at £7.95. Ring
John on 01325 262573 |
|
ENGLISH BRIDGE JUNE 2008
 The
cover design of the June 2008 issue of
English Bridge advertises the forthcoming
Brighton Congress and features the work of
the NEBA webmaster!
|
MORPETH BRIDGE CLUB'S 40TH BIRTHDAY
In 2008 the Morpeth Bridge Club celebrates
40 years since it was founded. A party will
be held at Embleton Hall on Sunday 1st
June 2008
All current and past members of the club
are most welcome.Tickets £15 Reserve your
place now with Moyra |
|
REVENGE
The
Durham University team of James Ewington,
Tom Dessain, Dominic Maloney and Robin
Zigmond have today won the EBU
inter-university cup, the Portland Bowl.
They beat Edinburgh 147-125 in the
semi-final, then led the strong Oxford A
team throughout in the
final, winning 143 - 96. Fitting revenge for
last year, when they lost to the Oxford A in
the final. |
GERALD FAULKNER SALVER
The
National Seniors Knock Out is played
annually for the Gerald Faulkner Salver.
This year a team captained by Clive Owen has
reached the final . The team which includes
three North West players in John Holland
Bill Hirst and John Hassett beat a
Hampshire team captained by Jeremy Baker in
the semi finals. |
It is with regret that we have to report
that Norman Dykes passed away suddenly on
Wednesday 5th March 2008. Norman was both a
driving force and a leading player at
Stockton Bridge Club for over 30 years and
will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
|
EBU SILVER PLATE SUCCESS
The team of
Clive Owen, Julian Gibson, Bill March and
Val Gibson won the final of the Silver Plate
by 23imps over 48 boards.
The Silver Plate
is played by teams who were knocked out in
the first or second round of the Gold Cup .
In the final played at Derby against a
London team captained by Adam Humphreys they
led from start to finish.
To get to the final they won 6 previous
rounds against teams from Scotland, London,
Berks and Bucks, Lancashire ,Yorkshire and
the North East. Their closest match came in
the first round when they narrowly beat a
Durham University side captained by Tom
Dessain after being 30 imps behind going
into the last 8 boards.
|
|
FUTURE CHAMPIONS
The February cover of
English Bridge features a photograph
taken at the 2007 NEBA
Congress and the magazine includes an article about the very
encouraging youth
events that took place on the Saturday morning of the congress.
As reported earlier thirteen tables of youngsters took part and
Yarm School won
the
Sinclair Trophy and Polam 'A' won the Mini Bridge event. |
£10,000 FOR LOCAL BRIDGE CLUB
 The
committee and members of Whitley Bay Bridge Club
were delighted to have been informed by
Awards for All (part of the National
Lottery) that they have been awarded a grant
of £10,000.
celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2005, has
occupied the same premises on Whitley Road for
over 40 years.
It is acknowledged as having some of the best
playing facilities in the region and this grant
will enable work to commence on bringing the
rest of the premises to a similarly high
standard.
The club which offers both lessons and playing
sessions on most days of the week has in excess
of one hundred and sixty members and is always
pleased to accommodate visitors and new members.
The premises are also used each week by both
Tynemouth and the YMCA Bridge Clubs and
throughout the season Whitley Bay Bridge Club
hosts regional competitions.
Awards for All
is the small grants scheme administered by the
Big Lottery Fund on behalf of Lottery good cause
funders, Arts Council England, Big Lottery
Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport
England. The scheme makes awards of between
£300 and £10,000 to grass-roots community groups
and voluntary organisations.
Pam Gladwin - Secretary of Whitley
Bay Bridge Club
|
|
THE FUTURE OF BRIDGE !
 A
little late, but this montage shows some of the
participants at the 2007 NEBA congress and
offers some hope for our game!
Thirteen tables of youngsters aged between 6 and
15 played in the NEBA congress on November 10th
2007.
Yarm School won the Sinclair Trophy and Polam
'A' won the Mini Bridge event. Well done to
children, teachers and parents!
Watch out for the February issue of English
Bridge! |
|
SILVER PLATE SUCCESS
The team of
Clive Owen Julian Gibson Val Gibson and Bill
March have reached the final of the Silver
Plate, a competition open to teams knocked out
in rounds 1 or 2 of the Gold Cup.
The final will
be played in February against a London/ Oxford
team captained by ARC Humphrey. |
ENGLAND SELECTION FOR CHRIS
Chris Owen
has been selected to play for England under 25
in the Channel Trophy against France Holland
and Belgium in Utrecht on the 23/24
December. His partner will be John Atthey
from Gloucestershire. This will be their 3rd
outing in this event. They won the Junior
Channel Trophy in Coventry 3 years ago and
finished last in the Channel Trophy 2 years
ago.
|
|
WOW !
Julian Gibson and Phil (King) have won
the Young Chelsea Marathon. The event was
played over 24 hours non stop, starting at 2.00
pm 17th and finishing at 2.00 pm 18th November.
They played 156 boards. First prize was £3000
between them. Full details can be found at
www.ycbc.co.uk.
- BRILLIANT!! |
WELL DONE JOHN AND ERIC!
John Wooton &
Eric Brown of Wearside were 3rd of 1482 pairs
with 72.6% in the David Boston Sims |
|
2007 TOLLEMACHE
The NEBA
team finished 3rd out of 10 in what
was undoubtedly the strongest of the four sections
of the Tollemache Trophy last weekend.
For those who do not know, the Tollemache is a
team of 8 competition for all counties in
England and Wales.
The NEBA team consisted of: Clive Owen, Chris
Owen, Steve Ray, Georgia Ray, Dave Roberts, Liz
Muir, Damien Hassan,
Bill March, Dave Broadhead, Martin Kane.
In fact it was probably the North East's best
performance for many years as, with one round to
play, a draw or win against
what was in effect the Welsh National
Team would have ensured qualification for the
Final. Unfortunately, we lost 12-8. There is
no doubt we have found a team that can compete
against the best counties in the country and
hope to improve on this result next year. |
|
NEBA's 1ST PREMIER GRAND MASTER
Hearty
congratulations go to Clive Owen,
who has recently become the 1st Premier Grand
Master in the North East of England.
'Premier Grand Master' is England's highest rank
in bridge requiring
1,500 Green Points. |
BRIGHTON SUCCESS
Clive Owen,
playing with John Holland, Bill Hirst and
Patrick
Jourdain. won the Senior Teams at Brighton. |
|
 |
NEW
EBU WEB FOR BEGINNERS
The EBU 4th "Really
Easy Congress" took place in Brighton this
week (13th - 15th August). Steve Kitching
and Ann Liddell won the Victor Ludorum prize
with 64.74%, Steve plays at Whitley Bay Bridge
Club.
This information is from a new EBU web
site devoted to bridge students and newcomers.
Check it out at
www.reallyeasybridge.com. |
|
A WELCOME IN THE ISLANDS
 While
still young and responsive, I taught all of my
children to play bridge so that I should never
be without a four on holiday.
When I started to play “properly” at Cramlington
Bridge Club, as young adults they agitated to
come along but were daunted by the level of
knowledge involved, the prospect of bidding
boxes and so on.
This summer on Arran we decided the time had
come to take the plunge into competitive bridge.
Adam and I consulted the “Arran Banner” and on
Monday night we spruced ourselves up to go to
Brodick Bridge Club, only to find when we got
there that it was closed! We consulted the Arran
Banner again to find that “Summer Bridge” took
place at a home in Lamlash on Thursdays. Fancy
getting spruced up twice on holiday!
When we arrived there was some consternation.
The club took place in someone’s home and they
always knew beforehand exactly how many pairs
there would be. Our arrival would result in four
and a half tables, and a half-table would have
meant half hour sit-outs for pairs. That was
clearly not attractive.
Never mind, with wonderful hospitality and
determination that we should not be disappointed
they accommodated us. We played five tables with
a phantom bidder summoned from any available
dummy to bid each hand for the two “solo pairs”.
Twenty hands were played in good time and we
were made to feel very welcome.
It would be good to say that this resulted in a
young club member in the making, but I’m not so
sure. He found it hard work and commented at the
end that his brain ached. What the experience
certainly was, however, was a lesson to any
bridge club in how to welcome strangers and new
players.- Owen Temple |
|
|
