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Play Committee Chair Report
— Ballina Bridge Club —
Newsletter
January 2018
President’s Report Happy New Year to you all. I am sure 2018 will be another
year of fulfilling bridge activity at our Club, with a new
format for Australia Day Teams and Harvey Norman
Mixed Pairs at the end of January.
Membership renewals are due now: $45 for home
members and $20 for associate and social members.
Please complete a renewal slip and place it, with payment,
in an envelope in the entry box. Alternatively, pay by
direct deposit, giving your name as reference.
Jenny Hurley wishes to thank the Monday volunteers
who play with new players, or those who come with no
partner. Jenny’s system has run since March with great
success. Special thanks to Lesley Burford, Pat Fry, Jenny
Wardley and Lyn Graham who volunteer every month.
Others who have helped when needed are Anne
Fraser, Mary Leonard, Eric Hurley, Sue Burns, Helen
Tootle, Ngaire Wills, Dawn Horder, Anne Bigg and Henry
Hirschhorn.
Our new chairs are due to arrive at the end of January;
Management Committee has decided to offer the old
chairs to Club members. Please tell Secretary Beverley or
me how many you want, and we will start a list. I also
intend to offer any additional unwanted chairs to
community groups. I would be pleased to hear any
suggestions from members about a place or community
group that might welcome a donation of chairs.
Matching fabric was ordered for new table cloths
when the new chairs were ordered. Mary Doohan has
very kindly offered to sew enough new cloths for all tables
and a complete spare set. That seems to be quite a task,
so many thanks to Mary for making that commitment.
Before Christmas Paul Blanch arranged for the
clubhouse roof to be inspected after almost 20 years of
service. A few cracked tiles were replaced and the
pointing of the ridge tiles was renewed. The building
serves us all very well and Management Committee
continues to consider maintenance and upgrades. Options
for 2018 include a fresh coat of interior paint to brighten
up the room in tone with the new chairs.
All the best for 2018.
— Chris McDowell, President Play Committee Chair Report is continued on page 2
Rank Promotions
Congratulations to these players who have achieved
Masterpoint rank promotions:
Regional: Angelo Jones; State: Ann Miller, Barbara Proctor;
*State: Sophie Davis, Elizabeth Adams; National: Ngaire Wills.
2018 Programme booklets
Programme booklets are available for collection at the Club.
The usual ‘deal’ is to pay your sub, either in the box at the Club
or by direct deposit (details on website), then pick up your
programme booklet.
Events to note
1. Ballina Bridge Club Congress — March 10 & 11
Please try to support OUR Congress: Swiss Pairs on Saturday
and Swiss Teams on Sunday, with prizes across the field.
(More on the ‘Swiss’ format in the next newsletter.)
2. Twentieth Birthday Bridge Day — Sunday August 5
A celebration of the (actual) opening day of our Bridge Club,
which will, aptly, incorporate Life Members’ Day. The
Somerville Laundry Shield will be held on Saturday September
15, the Saturday closest to the Club’s ‘official’ opening day of
September 18.
3. Harvey Norman Pairs Events
We have swapped the Mixed Pairs and the Men’s/Women’s
Pairs so that the Mixed Pairs is a qualifying event for the State
Mixed Pairs Championship in Sydney on May 26–27.
Holding qualifying events for state events not only gives
our players the opportunity to go on and participate in state
finals, but also ‘ups’ our red points allowances. In a similar
vein, we will hold a qualifier for the State Open Pairs on
Wednesdays September 5 & 12, with the state final on
November 24–25.
The Under 100 Masterpoint Pairs (UHMPs), scheduled for
September 20, is also a state event, but there continue to be
problems organising country regional play-offs leading to state
finals. For more information about these state events, go to:
http://nswba.com.au/tourn/state/
4. Gala Teams Nights (Thursdays)
There will be three through the year: March 15, July 12 and
November 15. Nominate in Pairs, and then teams of mixed
bridge abilities will be drawn. AND there will be supper. Event
Page 2
Newsletter of the Ballina Bridge Club
Organiser is Eric Hurley (Play), assisted by
Lorraine Bryant.
5. Open Pairs Championships
We welcome Jetts, the fitness centre at
Ballina Central, as the sponsor for 2018.
Jetts will be providing short-term
membership prizes: i) for the eventual
winners, and ii) every month for the pair
with a score closest to the ‘Lucky Score’
which will be drawn at the end of play.
Kallum Fidoe from Jetts will come on
Saturday February 3 to introduce himself
and Jetts. He tells me: We really do cater
for all ages and have a philosophy of
‘living longer and stronger’.
“A Gym?” do I hear some say? We all
know how good bridge is for our mental
agility, so maybe this is an opportunity for
physical exercise, whatever our age. If it’s
definitely not for you, all winners can gift
their prize to a friend.
Thanks to Michel Boyle for
introducing Jetts. Thanks, too, to John
Harrison for confirming all our sponsors
who advertise in our programme book.
December Events
Christmas Party
Thanks to Beth Martin and the House
Committee for their help with this event,
and for decorating the clubhouse. Even
better, Beth has submitted her report of
the day (page 3).
State Open Teams Final –
December 8–10
Our team — Bill Powell, Marjorie Askew,
Eric Hurley and Gary Lynn — missed out
on qualifying for the State Final after the
round robin, but were the highest-placed
Country team.
We then played off against a team
from Newcastle, representing the Outer
Metropolitan region, in the Country
Teams Final. Scheduled for 56 boards, the
Newcastle team conceded after 42
boards with our team leading 115–32.
You can see our team (above) having
been presented with their Medals at the
NSWBA. (I’m told Gary Lynn was proudly
‘sporting’ his medal at the Club session on
the following Wednesday.)
(A personal thank-you to Club
members for their encouragement and
congratulations. Marjorie.)
Teams of 3 — Monday December 11
Jill Cox had her first experience as an
Event Organiser. Last-minute changes did
not phase her – well done Jill! Jill too has
submitted a report (page 6).
Coming up
Australia Day Teams, Friday 26 January
Entry forms now available; entries close
on Saturday January 20th.
As previously advised, the Play
Committee has decided to trial
nominations for this event in pairs. Pairs
will then be allocated into Teams of
‘mixed’ bridge abilities. Come along for a
fun Club Day. There will be special prizes
(across the field) and Australian delights!
Event Organiser is Ngaire Wills.
Harvey Norman Mixed Pairs —
Wednesdays January 31,
February 7 & 14
Why not find yourself a mixed partner
and give this a go? (Note the third week is
Valentine’s Day, so ‘cherish’ your mixed
partner!) Entry fee is just $15, the normal
table fee, but you must nominate
beforehand; entries close at 5 pm on
Saturday 27 January.
If your chosen partner is unavailable
for one of the sessions, substitutes are
allowed, according to Ballina Bridge Club
Policy. Event Organiser is Marjorie Askew.
Teams of 3 — Monday February 5
This is the first Teams of 3 event of the
year. Nominate individually on notice-
board; teams will then be allocated
with a captain. Nominations close at
5 pm on Wednesday 31 January. Event
Organiser is Linda Maslen, assisted by
Jill Cox.
Graded Pairs Days?
After discussion and comments from
various members, the Play Committee
has decided to try three graded
sessions. A ‘graded’ session is one
where the field is divided into grades
based on Masterpoints.
Some clubs find these popular as
both a congress and/or club event.
(Quite a few of our members
participate in the Surfers Paradise and
Gold Coast Bridge Club Graded Pairs
congresses every year.)
We need a good-sized field to divide
into two grades. Monday afternoons
has grown to be one of our most
popular sessions, and also attracts a
range of bridge abilities, including many
‘better’ players assisting / partnering /
mentoring improving players, so we
have decided to ‘give this a go’ on the
second Monday in January (8th),
February 12th and March 12th.
It is a trial and we look forward to
feedback from players so we can review
to see if this format is worth pursuing:
regularly, occasionally, or not at all; and
on a Monday, and/or perhaps a
Wednesday or a Saturday.
Lastly, we are not sure just how the
Directors will cope on the day,
endeavouring to work out partnership
Masterpoints and allocations — so
please be patient with them.
All in all, looks like lots of bridge
coming up in 2018 — and hopefully
something to suit everyone.
Happy Bridging.
— Marjorie Askew, Chair,
Play Committee
Play Committee Chair Report (continued from page 1)
Page 3
Newsletter of the Ballina Bridge Club
— Beth Martin, Chair, House Committee
The highlight of Christmas may well be
the gift — the anticipation, the surprise.
Aren't we all kids at heart? For us at the
Club, that gift under the Christmas tree is
experienced when our surprise partner is
pulled out of the hat by ‘Marjorieclaus!’
Love it, or hate it, it's the highlight of
the day! If the joy is in the giving, Marjorie
would have been given much enjoyment.
Another great thing about Christmas
is the food and wine. We had really good
feedback from members on both these,
and thank Julie and her team from ‘In
Good Taste’. There were a few things
about the menu we should be able to
improve on for 2018, especially some of
the special diet menus.
Marjorie's idea to trial a new prize
category was fun: Paul Smith thought
he'd play a little joke and 'randomly' drew
the lucky score (44%). Howard Jeffery,
announcing the winners, thought it was
hilarious (or a fix!) that it matched
Marjorie's score (with June Gibson).
Deb ducked around catching us on
her candid camera (for better or worse).
Thank you, Deb for all the terrific pics.
Did I say gifts and food were the
highlights? Not so — it's all about Bridge,
of course — the wonderful game that
gives us so much and contributes to our
well-being in so many ways.
Who blitzed the field this year?
Congratulations to these club winners
and champions.
Rob Sheahan won the Hoult Award
for earning the most MPs at BBC in the
period from 1 Oct ’16 to 30 Sept ’17,
starting under 15 MP .
Lorraine Bryant (at left with Dorothy)
won the Dorothy Brumley Award,
earning the most MPs at BBC from 1 Oct
’16 to 30 Sept ’17, starting at 15–75 MP.
Judy Woodward (L) & Judy Forsyth —
Harvey Norman Women's Pairs.
Howard Jeffrey & John Paynter (A) —
Harvey Norman Men's Pairs.
Anne Jackson (L) & Gary Lyn (A) —
Harvey Norman Mixed Pairs.
Chris McDowell & Robert Eldridge (A) —
Harvey Norman Restricted Pairs.
Ted Walsh (L), & Ray Ghioni, Stephen
Doherty (A), & Damien Kennedy (Absent
by reason of impending matrimony) —
Restricted BBC Teams Championship.
Terry Lowe (L), Lyn Ebert, Ngaire Wills
(A) & Betty Clark (A) — BBC 'B' Grade
Teams Championship.
BALLINA BRIDGE CLUB CHRISTMAS 2017
Page 4
Newsletter of the Ballina Bridge Club
Howard Jeffrey (L), Liz Jeffrey, Michel
Boyle (A) & Paul Smith — BBC Open
Teams Championship.
Ray Ghioni & Rob Sheahan (A) —
Winners, BBC Restricted Pairs
Championship
George Connell & Beth Martin —
Runners-up,
BBC Restricted Pairs Championship
Robyn Egan (L) Anne Flanagan —
Winners, BBC Novice Pairs Championship
Paul & Mary Blanch — Runners-up, BBC
Novice Pairs Championship.
Mark Miller & Lorraine Miller (A) —
Winners, B-Grade Pairs Championship
Mary Leonard & Jenny Wardley —
Runners-up, B-Grade Pairs Championship
Marjorie Askew & Bill Powell — Winners
BBC Pairs Championship
Eric Hurley & Gary Lyn (A) —Runners-up,
BBC Pairs Championship.
Thank you to all who contributed to
making the day a success. It was a big
job, needing many hands. With
Management team, House team, team
members from previous years advising
and guiding new team members,
individuals with great suggestions and
practical help, wonderful Directors on
the day, and a terrific Club President,
made the day happy and fun for all.
Some of the guests at the Ballina Bridge
Club Christmas party, ready and waiting
for more goodies to be given out.
Laughter was the keynote of the day
when fun was trumps. ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣
Page 5
Newsletter of the Newsletter of the Ballina Bridge Club
♠ A K Q J T 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
♥ —
♦ —
♣ —
♠ —
♥ J 2
♦ A K Q J T 9 7 3
♣ A K Q
♠ —
♥ A
♦ 8 6 5 4 2
♣ J T 9 8 7 6 5
♠ —
♥ K Q T 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
♦ —
♣ 4 3 2
Merry Christmas to all …
’Twas the Duplicate Christmas Party — needless to say,
The punch and the season had made us quite gay…
“Find your seats and shuffle,” the Director said,
As visions of FIRST PLACE danced in my head…
When I checked our position, I went dry in the mouth —
We’d been assigned Table #1 — North and South.
Just little ole novices, my partner and me —
We’d been placed fourth, once, but never seen three,
Now had two Life Masters sitting East – West.
We took our positions and said not a word
(But I’m certain our heartbeats could surely be heard).
We shuffled the cards without blinking an eye
(I dropped one on the floor and thought I would die).
As North I was dealer and, although I was green,
I knew that to open you must have thirteen.
I spread my hand and counted, but Oh Alas!
With only ten points I just had to pass.
(Quite frankly, I thought this a terrible shame,
As I’d never before had thirteen Spades in a game.)
My left-hand opponent, East was their name,
Opened “Two Diamonds” (I thought, “What a shame!”)
My Dear Partner, South, was trembling with fear
When the bid of “Two Hearts” came across to my ear.
My right-hand opponent sat straight in his chair:
“Three Hearts” was the bid he chose to declare.
Now I had a good suit, but alack and alas,
With no help in Hearts I just had to pass.
My left-hand opponent now bid “Three Spades” —
You can well imagine how much I was amazed.
My Dear Partner, South, bid “Four Hearts” (Oh Shoot! —
If that is the contract I can’t lead her best suit.)
My Right-Hand Opponent studied his hand
And soon “Seven No Trump” was his command.
It was my time to bid and (just to save face)
I doubled because they were missing the Spade Ace.
The next three bids were “Pass. Pass. (and) Pass.”
So I made ready to lead out a Spade, but alas…
My partner was nervous and led the Heart King —
A lead out of turn — what a damnable thing.
The Director was called (I can still hear his voice)
As he told the Declarer he could make his own choice —
(“With a singleton Heart, you must understand,
This could be the only entry to his hand.” )
So he turned to me and, looking so smart,
He said, “Lead any suit except for a Heart.”
So of course I led out my fourth-best Spade
(I still think that was the best lead I’ve ever made)
And so on and so on… never losing the lead
And our opponents (Life Masters!) were forced to
concede.
Thirteen tricks we took, right off the top —
(When we won the board I thought I would pop.)
Now I ask you, with a board like this,
The rest of the game — well, how could we miss?
And I overheard the Director say, “Who was the lass
Who had thirteen spades and cleverly passed?”
After winning first place (and still full of fright),
We called “Merry Christmas!” and they all said
“GOOD NIGHT!”
♠ ♥ ♦ ♣
“Thanks” from the Retired Teachers Anne and I would like to thank you all for your good wishes on
our retirement from teaching (but not from playing, of
course). For many years we have enjoyed meeting new
members to our Club and developing friendships with them. It
has given us much pleasure to see your Bridge successes.
We have always appreciated the support we have
received from Management Committee, and from Jack Pierce
(Head of Dealing Team) who has always been available to help
us with deals.
In 2018 the Club will have two ABF-accredited teachers in
Rebecca Rogers and Anne Jackson, whose new best-practice
teaching methods will keep Ballina Bridge Club up to date.
Thank you most warmly,
— Anne Bigg and Lyn Graham
Page 6
Newsletter of the Ballina Bridge Club
Ballina Bridge Club is at 13 North
Creek Road, Ballina NSW 2478
Contributions welcome; please email
them before CoB on the last
Wednesday of the month to
the Editor, Michael Kuter, at
’Twas the night before Christmas…
’Twas the night before Christmas
When two guests in our house
Were playing some bridge
With me and my spouse.
“Please tell me,” she shouted,
“Why you didn’t double?
’Twas plain from the start
That we had them in trouble!”
“ ’Tis futile, My Dear —
I’m taking no stand.
So please stop your nagging.
Let’s play the next hand.”
“Remember for next time,”
She said with a frown,
“To double a contract
That’s sure to go down.”
So I picked up my cards
In a downtrodden state,
Then I opened one Spade,
And awaited my Fate.
The guy sitting South
Was like many I’ve known —
He bid and he played
In a world of his own.
“Two Diamonds, ” he countered
With scarcely a care.
(That Ace in his hand
Gave him courage to spare.)
My wife, smiling faintly,
And tossing her head,
Leaned over the table:
“Double!” she said.
And North, for some reason
I cannot determine,
Bid two (brave) Hearts
Like preaching a sermon.
I grinned as I doubled,
Enjoying the fun.
And turned round to South,
To see where he’d run.
But South, undistressed,
Not at a loss for a word,
Came forth with “Two Spades.”
(Did I hear what I heard?)
The other two passed,
And in sheer disbelief,
I said “Double, My Friend.
That’ll bring you to grief.”
South passed with a nod,
His composure serene.
My wife with a flourish
Led out the Heart Queen.
I sat there and chuckled
(inside) o’er their fix.
But South — very calmly —
Ran off his eight tricks.
He ruffed the first Heart
In his hand right away.
And then trumped a Club
On the very next play.
He cross-ruffed the hand
At a breath-taking pace,
’Til I was left holding
Five Spades to the Ace.
My wife cried in anguish
“Your mind’s growing old.
You could see that Six No Trump
For us was ice-cold.”
By doubling this time
I’d committed a sin.
Which just goes to prove
That you never can win.
[— NSWBA Bulletin
Thanks to Judy Carroll for these two.]
♠ ♥ ♦ ♣
Teams of 3
— Jill Cox, Event Organiser
A very successful and fun Teams of 3
was held on Monday 11th December,
2017. There were 22 teams, 88 players in
all. In the run-up to the festive season
there were many dropouts and
substitutions beforehand, but all ran
smoothly on the day.
Prizes awarded
1st — Smith Team:
Paul Smith, Sue Fielder, Peter Lamont,
Jenny Hurley
1st at wrong end — Bigg Team:
Anne Bigg, Beth Martin, Angelo Jones, Jan
Rhodes
Legs 11 (11th place)— Jeffery Maximus
Team: Howard Jeffery, Barry Daley,
Isobel Johnstone, Hilary Kerr.
Welcome to all our new players.
Hope you enjoyed it and will continue to
play in teams and normal competition.
Thank you to our Director of the day,
Anne Jackson, who had a very busy day,
and Assistant Directors Howard and Liz
Jeffery.
♠ ♥ ♦ ♣
♠ 9 8 7 6
♥ 6 5 4 3 2
♦ 8 7 6 5
♣ —
♠ A K Q J T
♥ A K 8 7
♦ —
♣ A 9 8 7
♠ —
♥ Q J T 9
♦ K Q J T 9
♣ K Q J T
♠ 5 4 3 2
♥ —
♦ A 4 3 2
♣ 6 5 4 3 2
Dlr: E.
Vul: N–S