Have you ever been a few minutes late for the start of a sporting event and missed an important part of the action? You know the sort of thing I mean, like a couple of early goals in a football match.

Anyone taking a little too long over their afternoon tea missed most of the key moments at the start of the second half of the semi-finals.

Board 13. Dealer North. Game All ª Q © A K 6 5 ¨ A K J 2 § A Q 7 6 ª K 8 7 5 2 ª A 10 6 3 © J © 9 4 ¨ 10 9 6 5 4 ¨ Q 7 § K 8 § J 9 5 4 2 ª J 9 4 © Q 10 8 7 3 2 ¨ 8 3 § 10 3

Six Hearts, especially if played by North, is better than a finesse, as declarer can try and bring down the queen of diamonds.

Full marks to Golberg & Pollack who were the only pair to bid it, giving the ACBL team a useful swing with the following auction:

Board 14. Dealer East. Love All ª K J 8 4 3 © K 6 2 ¨ K J 8 5 § 2 ª 10 7 6 5 ª A © 7 5 4 © A J 9 8 3 ¨ 9 ¨ A Q 10 § A K 8 4 3 § Q 10 6 5 ª Q 9 2 © Q 10 ¨ 7 6 4 3 2 § J 9 7

Would you like to play Six Clubs on the East-West cards? Probably not if North leads a diamond.

Those pairs who bid it picked a swing - Lauria & Versace winning ten IMPs for Italy.

Board 15. Dealer South. NS Game ª K 10 8 3 © J 5 ¨ A 10 9 4 3 § 3 2 ª A J 9 5 4 ª 7 © — © A Q 10 9 4 2 ¨ K 2 ¨ Q 8 6 § A Q 9 8 7 5 § K 10 6 ª Q 6 2 © K 8 7 6 3 ¨ J 7 5 § J 4

The Italian pair struck again on this deal with an 11 IMP pick up for making Six Clubs.