The League is in its 5th year. This year has been different to any other. When compiling the fixtures, Peter Bond had three aims:
- Grant the wishes of any team with regard when they have a free month
- Teams from the same club play against each other early in the season
- The most likely two top teams play each other on the final match day
Until this year Peter said he had failed to achieve his objectives with the last aim being the stumbling block. This year the top two teams play each other in the final round. Mission accomplished? No! The Tigers spoilt it, as they had won the league irrespective of the result of the final match. Totally dominant. The Tigers have now won the Division 1 title three years running. An outstanding achievement.
2017
The Tigers were clear winners although they did have two drawn matches
2018
They had a little luck. Three teams finished with 8 points and the league was won by a superior “goal difference” Dereham Lions were 1 IMP behind the Tigers. The Lions beat the Tigers in their individual match. The Lions played 120 boards during the season and it was the final one of these, that the title was lost.
2019
This year The Lions struggled, the tragic loss of the much missed Shirley Cowshall having without doubt been a contributing factor. It was Shirley and her U3A group that got Peter playing bridge again, after a gap of 7 years. This meant that The Tigers dominated the league.
Five matches played and 5 matches won. The wins, without exception, have been by a wide margin. Out of a possible 100 Victory Points 97 have been scored. If they win their final match, they will be the first team in the 5-year history of the league to achieve 100%.
A squad of good players is needed for a competition over 9 months. Dereham Tigers have that. In Pat Fosbrook they have a captain that consistently gets the top players involved.
Well done.
Peter
28.9.2019
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