End of the Fifth Day

THE END OF THE FIFTH DAY

Match 1

Australia vs New Zealand              54           30           which converts to            16.03     3.97

                                                                                                                Current position 7th

North – South    Andrew Spooner (N) Tomer Libman (S)

East – West        Jamie Thompson (E) Matt Smith (W)

A big win for Australia against our neighbours across the ‘ditch’.

Board 3

Australia were unlucky on this board

 

When New Zealand held the EW cards, the following was the bidding

 

The New Zealand East bid 5.

When Matt and Jamie held the EW cards, the New Zealand pair bid 3 and 6.

Jamie bid 6.

6 failed due to the inescapable heart loser.

It is a fantastic slam.

Board 7

The New Zealand EW pair had an accident when they played in 6 doubled going off when East held an eight card solid heart suit [5 would have made].

Board 12

Jamie made a fine non-bid on this hand.

His hand was

 

He passed and the contract went 3 down for +300 whereas the New Zealand player bid again and went for 800 in 5 doubled.

Board 13

The New Zealand EW perhaps were guilty of playing catch up after a poor result on the previous hand and bid a poor 6 contract

 

 

Match 2

Australia vs Colombia     22           69           which converts to            0.82        19.18

                                                                                                                Current position 9th

North – South    Renee Cooper (N) Francesca McGrath (S)

East – West        Matt Smith (W) Jamie Thompson (E)

Australia lost a 9 or more imps on 6 boards and they picked up 10 on only 1 board.

Going through the boards.

Board 2

An unfortunate lead by East and then a fortunate club position allows Colombia to make 4 doubled with game not bid in the other room. A little unlucky.

Board 3

Matt and Jamie had an accident and got to 7 doubled off 2 aces and the king of trumps.

Board 5

Colombia played 6NT from the wrong side and a club lead would beat the doubled contract but the lead was not found by Jamie

Board 7

This is a lead problem and an awkward hand to play.

 

East is in 4. The Colombian South led the 9 and the contract can be made now but the play is not clear cut. Win the K and duck a heart.

  1. Now if the defence return a spade, you throw the K on a spade and it does not matter if South ruffs or not, the defence is only getting 3 heart tricks.
  2. If the defence cash their diamond first and then switch back to spades, declarer can cross ruff in the minors and prevent the 10 promoting.

Francesca led a small club and the contract made as the spade suit provided discards [as the entry to the spades had not been attacked].

Board 11

A poor 4 contract made on an inspired guess in the trump suit.

Rather than continue with the boards, suffice to say it was one of those matches were Australia did not play well and some luck went against them as well.

 

Match 3

Australia vs Italy                               25           15           which converts to            12.97     7.03

                                                                                                                Current position 9th

North – South    Renee Cooper (N) Francesca McGrath (S)

East – West        Tomer Libman (W) Andrew Spooner (E)

Only 2 large swings in this match.

Board 4

 

Italy bid and made 6 on the lead of the K. All West has to do is switch to a trump and the contract is defeated [those diamonds look threatening but if declarer has the K, there is probably no defence]. The only other possibility is switching to a spade and hope partner has the K and K [but that gives declarer a load of rubbish to be in 6].

Board 5

Renee was the only declarer in the field to make a vulnerable 3NT.

 

Match 4

Australia vs Israel                             1              36           which converts to            2.23        17.77

                                                                                                                Current position 11th

North – South    Renee Cooper (N) Francesca McGrath (S)

East – West        Matt Smith (W) Jamie Thompson (E)

This was an important match as Israel were our main threat to take the last qualifying position.

There were 2 large imp loss boards.

  1. We doubled 3 into game whilst 3NT was failing in the other room
  2. 4 made against us and we went one off

End of Day Summary

A poor day for the team. However, if we finish very well tomorrow, there is still a chance of finishing in a qualifying position

Tomorrow they play the final 3 matches in qualifying

Match 19

Botswana

Currently 22nd

 

Match 20

France

Currently 7th

 

Match 21

Chinese Taipei

Currently 16th

 

Posted by Mike and Chris on Tuesday, 14 August 2018 at 01:08