Round two of the two counties event at Spondon saw a big turn around as  Nottinghamshire scored + 165 on the night to lead the event by 74 imps.

Gambit in Division 1 disappointed with -3 but in Division 2 Alderclarke were huge with +88 and Woodborough and Boots were also strong with +50 and +48. Overall Matlock lead Division 1 for Derbyshire but Woodborough lead Division 2 and Nottingham Mechanics lead Division 3.

For results click here.

Hands from the two counties appear under Events.

Gambits lady player when given a choice of routes generally takes the high road. On this hand her 4C bid  looks impeccable but it did not work well. I raised to 5C as part of the Search Me system I find myself playing so often, when as it happens the opponents  might have had trouble bidding spades had I passed.West showed a surer touch  with his club lead. The Ace of spades lead for example lets 5C through, but the trump lead followed by a well judged duck of the Queen of hearts gave declarer no chance.

This defence may well have earned Derbyshire a swing against 5C making but we will never know. At the other table South started low with 1C and after 1S-2H-2S bid 3S to steer partner into a cold 3N. Maybe that was a little fortunate but South would have finished in 5C if East had bounced to 3S as is so popular these days.