Notts v Leicestershire - 13^th September 2009

On Saturday 12th September the USA defeated Italy in the Bermuda Bowl. Next day Nottinghamshire played Leicestershire in the third county match of the 2009/10 season. For those who enjoyed the high class bidding judgement and card reading of the world champions, look away now.

The Teams:

Dawes - Willie Crook & Sandy Fulton; Keith Rodgers & Lloyd Eagling; John & Irene Auld; Mark Goddard & Geoff Topol.
Porter - Graham Lee & David Burgess; Ellen Overton & Martin Mellor; Graham Brindley & Roger Staton; Steve Mulligan & Bill Milligan.
Markham - Mike & Daphne Coggles; Dorothy & Chris Close; Sylvia Goodlud & Nick Clarke; Janet Jacques & Will Irving.

The Bermuda Bowl was not all about technical subtlety, there was a lot of bidding quickly to a high level and making life difficult for the opponents - especially by Meckstroth and Rodwell and of course, by the well known American Zia Mahmoud. I took that approach on Board 4.

All Vul - Dealer West

My partner as West opened 1NT and I followed the script by bidding 4♠. This is obviously not guaranteed to make but there is plenty to gain and you do not want the opponents to find a fit. South led a heart ducked all round. Needing a ruff, I played a club to South. Now the spade switch may be indicated but not obvious - South tried a diamond ruffed by me for another club lead and club ruff in due course. Plus 620.

This is an example where transferring over 1NT as East is not advisable. The defence was a lot easier with 11 black cards in dummy rather than in declarers hand. Also if you transfer, N/S may start bidding. I have not asked Sylvia Goodlud and Nick Clarke how they made 5♦ doubled as N/S in the Markham match, but well done anyway.

Willie Crook and Sandy Fulton proved our most effective pair following the policy of bidding lots and making lots. For example, Board 17 was another competitive hand this time with twelve black cards for declarer:

No Vul - Dealer North

At our table Leicestershire’s North opened 2♠ showing a weak hand with 5 spades and a minor. Quite how South can judge what to do next is beyond me.
Two spades bought the contract which was theoretical good news but actual bad news. E/W can make game but in practise did not stop North making 4♠ when it was bid.
Willie Crook as North started with 1♣ and finished in 4♠ doubled making for +590.

The policy was in evidence again on Board 15:

N/S Vul - Dealer South

The 3NT bid was a stroke of imagination probably beyond even Zia. However with due respect to Leicestershire, Sandy was not facing an Italian defence. A club was led, ducked and returned. Now a heart was played to the singleton K which slipped through. Five rounds of diamonds pressured South who erred again by ditching a club and allowing Sandy to develop a ninth trick.

The heart duck looks plausible in isolation but not when declarer has implied 9 or more minor suit cards. Rising with ace of hearts and leading spades is indicated.

And the results for Notts were: Dawes 18-2, Porter 8-12 and Markham 11-9. The first team’s run of success is now unequalled since records began. There is a movement afoot to persuade our captain to stay on next year - your county needs you Lloyd.

Match Report by John Auld