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| 7 Aug 2024 | |
| Old Scholar |
The Annual contest was held in the Big School room, on Tuesday the 23rd of July. Our Director, Paul Hudson, arranged a “Teams” movement that allowed all Boards (hands) and matches to be played SPOC v PAOC. It felt like a “proper Intercol”. The five Board matches were awarded two points for a win and one for a draw. Saints emerged as winners, twenty points to ten.
Our team 1 members, Andrew Hill (YNG 1969), David Black(HWK 1970), Bill Bradshaw (HWD 1974) and Phil Cheney (SHT 1971) , first to respond as “available”, justified their number 1 status by winning all three matches. Team 3, William Morgan (FLL 1973), Tim Hartley (ATH 1969), Chris Verco (DAC 1966) and Peter Hammer (HWK 1958), was also undefeated, with a win and two draws. All three other teams had a win or two.
Although the “Teams” format worked well it needed careful management to ensure that each school had an equal (and even) number of pairs. Disappointingly it meant that “extras” were excluded. Apologies to eleventh pair John Sangster (DAC 1959) and Dudley Hill (FLL 1959). Fortunately, few others, (no available pairs), were excluded this way.
“Teams” bridge was unfamiliar to a few players. Slow scoring between matches and a 10 pm curfew, restricted play to three matches. Electronic scoring next year may resolve these difficulties.
We welcomed three players for their first appearance: Richard Burchnall, David Cherry (MAC 1964) and Peter Hammer (HWK 1958). Their partners, William Fowler (FLL 1969), Justin Nugent (DAC 1986) and Chris Verco (DAC 1966) had played previously. Phil Plummer (HWD 1967) and Phil Colebatch (HWK 1963) were also newcomers, playing rubber bridge against two PAOC colleagues. They also had a win.
The event was a friendly and enjoyable contest between traditional rivals, The Old Collegians Association’s provision of supper and beverages was very much appreciated. We were also grateful for its seamless change of plans, despite the worldwide computer glitch that stranded Events Manager Bianca Harms overseas, and for its financial support.
Robert Black (SHT 1956)
Bridge Convenor