This may well be the first NCBA match pointed event to be won with a score of over 80%. Frank Ball recorded 14 tops or near tops, 2 bottoms and no averages on his way to 80.94% and 1st place in a field of 19. He was followed by John Auld, David Burgess, William Crook and Keith Rodgers all of whom might have expected 60+% to be enough. Not close. Even in a fairly short event Frank`s score was phenomenal.
Willie brought a touch of class to two boards: |
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On board 9 Willie as East defended 4S on a heart lead. (The bidding on these deals may not be as shown but the final contracts are correct). Declarer now cashed a top spade and Willie helpfully dropped the jack. This may seem like a restricted choice guess but not if you allow for the deceptive play. South finessed the spade and suffered a club ruff to follow.
Board 12 was a nice dummy play: |
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Willie got a spade lead and cross ruffed black cards without touching trumps. Now he exited with a heart and the miracle happened- North had to concede a ruff and discard and the contract. (South has to lead a trump or less plausibly a small heart to defeat 5D). It is a shame that this board was not scored up with Crook junior because Daniel made 6C as North. |
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