Round Nine – England vs Australia

In Round 8 we saw how England lost a convincing lead over the last three deals in their match against Thailand, thereby turing a large win into a mere 16-14. In the next round they played Australia. This time the English lead wasa useful but far from overwhelming 37-16 after 15 boards. The next three deals turned a solid win into a large one.

Board 16. E/W Vul. Dealer West.
	ª K 10 9 6 © J 6 5 3 ¨ J § 10 8 3 2
ª A 5 2 © 7 ¨ 10 6 4 3 § K Q 9 7 4		ª Q 4 © 10 9 8 4 2 ¨ 9 7 2 § A J 5
	ª J 8 7 3 © A K Q ¨ A K Q 8 5 § 6

The English captain, Jason Hackett had split up his partnerships to try to put some momentum into the English challenge. In the other room, Alex Hydes was partnering Andrew Woodcock against Daniel Krochmalik and Josh Wyner for Australia. The result on this deal was 4ª making for the English North/South pair; +420.

West	North	East	South
Gold	Abraham	Burgess	Wilkinson
Pass	Pass	Pass	1§
1NT	Pass	2§	Dble
Pass	2NT	Pass	3§
Dble	3ª	Pass	4ª
All Pass

Michael Wilkinson’s 1§ opening was strong, 16+ and the 1NT overcall showed the minors. Mark Abraham didn’t have sufficient values for a negative double so passed and Ollie Burgess showed his preference. Wilkinson’s double was for take-out and now 2NT was game-forcing and Staymanic. Wilkinson cuebid to ask again rather than make a commital bid with such weak spades and now Abraham judged to bid his stronger major rather than the cheaper one, and was raised to game.

Burgess cashed the ace of clubs in response to David Gold’s double of the 3§ cuebid then stopped to think how he was going to defeat the contract. Despite the fact that declarer had bypassed 3© to bid 3ª, Burgess found the only switch to give his side a chance, a heart. When Abraham took the normal spade play of finessing West for the queen, Burgess won and gave his partner a heart ruff for down one; –50 and 10 IMPs to England.

Board 17. None Vul. Dealer North.
	ª K 6 3 © A J 7 ¨ J 7 5 § K 7 4 2
ª A J 10 5 2 © 9 5 4 2 ¨ A § A J 8		ª 8 © K Q 8 6 ¨ Q 10 9 6 4 § Q 10 3
	ª Q 9 7 4 © 10 3 ¨ K 8 3 2 § 9 6 5

West	North	East	South
Gold	Abraham	Burgess	Wilkinson
	1NT	Pass	Pass
2§	Pass	3©	Pass
4©	All Pass

In the other room the English North/South pair were left to play 1NT, which drifted three off for –150. Here, 1NT was weak and 2§ showed both majors. When Burgess could invite game by jumping in hearts, Gold had sufficient extras to raise to 4©. Wilkinson led the three of diamonds, third and fifth, to dummy’s bare ace. Burgess played a heart to the king then advanced the queen of diamonds, which picks up the diamond suit on several of the possible layouts consistent with the opening lead. Wilkinson covered and his king was ruffed away. Now Burgess played a second heart and Abraham won the ace and exited with the ©J. Burgess won and led the ¨10 to North’s jack. Things did not look too hopeful for the defence at this point but Abraham tried to create something with a switch to the king of spades. Burgess won the ace and played the ªJ, pitching a club from hand. He could win any return and had the communications to cash his diamonds and take a sceond club pitch on the ª10; +420 and 7 IMPs to England.

Board 18. N/S Vul. Dealer East.
	ª 8 5 © A K 8 5 4 2 ¨ Q 2 § J 9 5
ª 7 4 3 © Q 7 6 ¨ K J 10 7 § K 7 2		ª A K Q J 10 6 2 © J 10 9 3 ¨ 9 § Q
	ª 9 © - ¨ A 8 6 5 4 3 § A 10 8 6 4 3

West	North	East	South
Gold	Abraham	Burgess	Wilkinson
		4ª	4NT
Pass	5©	Pass	6§
Dble	All Pass

This one was more a question of method than anything perhaps, though I imagine that there were tables at which East opened 1ª and the problem did not materialise. In the other room Krochmalik opened 4ª but Woodcock could overcall 4NT to show a two-suiter, which obliged Hydes to respond 5§ in case it was, as here, both minors. Five Clubs was passed out and went one off for –100.

Unfortunately for Australia, Wilkinson’s 4NT was just a general take-out and Abraham, while having a sneaking suspicion that he might regret it, could not bring himself to bid a three-card club suit when he held ace-king six times in hearts. After all, even if partner has the minors it is possible that 6§/¨ is on. Wilkinson corrected to 6§ and Gold doubled. Wilkinson had to lose three tricks, of course, and that was –500 and another 9 IMPs to England. Their eventual winning margin was 63-21 IMPs, 24-6 VPs.