RACvAELTC Match report |
We had a very enjoyable match against wonderful opposition, who had Ann Jones the 1969 Ladies Singles champion playing. She is still very recognisable and had come down from the Midlands, being driven part of the way by another player who came from Leamington Spa.
The AELTC were worthy opponents, especially considering the size of their membership and hence the number of players that they can choose from. We won three of the four quarters and we were overall winners by 57 imps.
Paul Found
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Last updated : 13th Mar 2024 21:06 GMT |
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AFTERNOON DUPLICATE PALL MALL |
Afternoon Bridge At Pall Mall |
Pall Mall, Terrace Room |
Monday 22 April, 2.15pm |
Hello Everyone, |
Do you ever wish that we played more Bridge at Pall Mall? |
Then your wish has come true, here is a new event! |
On Monday 22 April we will be playing an afternoon of Duplicate in the beautiful Terrace Room. The Terrace Room, which has been renovated recently, is one of the loveliest rooms in the Club and, weather permitting, the adjoining terrace will allow us to enjoy refreshments before play commences. |
We will start play at 2.15pm sharp and hopefully finish around 5.30pm. |
We are very pleased to invite all our St. James’s Club friends to join our Royal Automobile Club members and have a great afternoon. |
Victor, our fantastic Royal Automobile Club Bridge Director, will be with us to help ensure that the play runs smoothly. |
Member: £7.50 Guest: £15.00
Includes: Tea/Coffee and biscuits. |
As this is the first event, I would be very grateful to get some idea of numbers. If you would like to play, please send me an email so that we can cater for you all. |
My intension is to introduce an afternoon session of Duplicate every third Monday of the month. As we move into the summer months I am thinking many of you will be on holiday so after Monday 22 April I am looking at Monday 16 September. In the meantime, let's see how we get on in April. |
I do hope many of you will come along. I feel it is a great way to get some more play in during the daytime and I hope you will all agree. |
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Best wishes |
Fiona McWatters |
Chair Pall Mall Bridge Committee |
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This email was sent by the Royal Automobile Club. |
To change your mailing preferences please go to the My Account section of the Club website. |
Please note that if you choose to opt out of all communications using the slider at the top of the mailing preferences page, you will no longer receive any publications, e-newsletters or information emails. You will continue to receive membership documents such as renewal letters and AGM notices. |
You can change the email address we use by amending the information in your contact details. |
If you require assistance please email communications@royalautomobileclub.co.uk. |
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Last updated : 12th Mar 2024 16:08 GMT |
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Pall Mall Bridge Circle March Newsletter |
Pall Mall Bridge Circle March Newsletter |
Hello Everyone, |
Sometimes I think I 'hate' Bridge, there you go I have said it! |
I am aware we all go through peaks and troughs in our Bridge play and at the moment my partner and I are definitely in a trough. |
It is so frustrating during the course of the evening seeing our score stuck in bottom place. Our bidding becomes more and more outrageous, I then begin to giggle and my partner/husband starts to get very annoyed which makes me even more hysterical. Hey-ho! I can only hope things improve soon. |
Since writing the above, I am happy to confirm that our first night back, after a three week hiatus with the ghastly cold, was much more fun. We managed to scrape ourselves off the bottom and ended up in the upper quartile of the leader board. Michael Bailey who is our very sage Standing Member always tells me this happens to everyone, but then again he is extremely kind! |
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News |
We seem to be going from strength to strength with our numbers at Bridge on a Thursday night. Since the start of this year we have had no less than twelve new players joining us and they have not only joined us once but have come back week after week. |
I would just like to repeat to all of you thinking about coming along to join us, we would be delighted to see you. If you feel uncomfortable about not knowing anyone, please get in touch with me and I will make sure either myself or someone else is around to meet and greet you. |
Do not forget we have the Ross Cope Teams Event on Thursday 21 March. |
It is open to all Royal Automobile Club members and St. James’s Club members. Guests are also welcome to come along with a Royal Automobile Club member. |
There are a few places still available. Please click here to register and remember that you need to be in a team of four. The evening will start with sandwiches and refreshments. Do note that you will need to register before coming along as, I am afraid, we will not be able to accommodate drop-in players at this event. |
On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February The Lederer Cup took place at our clubhouse. We have been welcoming world class players to this tournament for over a decade and it is an important date on the Bridge calendar. |
There were many Bridge superstars there including Andrew Robson and
Zia Mahmood (pictured below). I went along on the Sunday to have a look and maybe learn how Bridge should be played. I also had the pleasure of meeting Zia Mahmood who is absolutely charming. |
The Lederer Cup trophy as I’m sure you will also agree is very smart and was very narrowly won by team Ireland. Details of the weekend can be viewed on The Lederer Cup website. |
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Inter-club Matches (Upcoming and Match Reports) |
Our upcoming matches this March have a decidedly Tennis feel about them, note to all teams players no rackets are required, it is Bridge we are playing! |
We will be welcoming the All England Lawn Tennis Club to Pall Mall on the Monday 11 March.
Our team consists of:
- Paul F and Sally F
- Marina CP and Andrew K
- David W and Martin L
- Nick F and Sacha F
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On Wednesday 27 March we will be visiting Queen’s Club.
Our team consists of:
- John C and Pascale H
- John K and Lissa G
- Fiona Mc and Ina W
- Jeremy W and Isobel PH
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I would like to remind all match players that full details of our matches up until July 2024 are available on the front page of BridgeWebs. |
Match Reports |
This year is the fourth time that The Triangular Cup has been competed for by teams of eight. Teams are selected from the Bridge Committees of three clubs and, after an extraordinarily close match, the Hurlingham Club pipped the Roehampton Club to win the Cup by a single Imp. The Royal Automobile Club took third place. |
The Royal Automobile Club and the Hurlingham have each won the Cup twice with Roehampton yet to cross the line in first place. Lester and David Owen are to be congratulated for contributing to a phenomenal result on one board. The duo successfully doubled their Roehampton opposite pair in 6NT which produced a swing of 17 Imps on a single board. Without this result Roehampton would have been out-right winners by a significant margin. |
In her welcoming speech at the dinner, Fiona referenced the social nature and friendships of the inter Club teams. This was taken up enthusiastically by both Roger Lawson and Malcolm Bricknell, the Bridge Committee Chairs, of the Hurlingham and Roehampton Club's respectively. |
A special thanks to Gitte for directing the complex movement and scoring of the match. The Royal Automobile Club team comprised:
- Fiona and Ina
- Lester and David O
- Fay and Pearse
- Michael and John
The Match Report kindly submitted by our Match Captain, Michael Bailey |
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Wednesday 21 February, saw the Royal Automobile Club being hosted by the MCC at Lords. Fortunately, it was Bridge not Cricket, although we might have been better off with bat and ball! |
Andrew, David G, Robin and Fay made up one team and David M and Howard W paired with Colin and I for the other. |
We did not acquit ourselves well in the first half where, over 12 boards, we each managed to lose 30+ imps and were 67 down before dinner. After dinner, in the second half we improved slightly with one quartet winning comfortably and the other losing narrowly. We pulled back 21 imps to end up as the arithmetic declares. |
The hands themselves were not noticeable save for an MCC slam, missed by us in the first half, balanced by an error from them in the second half, where they failed to bid a cold 6H and found themselves in 6NT. |
Unfortunately, East was void in Clubs and West had doubleton to the Q so we made the first six tricks! The oddest result (in our favour) was where we were allowed to make 4H at our table. David and Howard ‘sacrificed’ 4S on theirs and made it. |
These ‘bonuses’ could not hide the fact we were out-played and needed to re-group if we are going to give them a run for their money in the future. |
Match Report has kindly been submitted by our Match Captain, Howard Salter. |
The Devonshire Cup reached its conclusion on Tuesday 27 February. |
The ultimate winners of the Cup were Roehampton Blue and the Plate was fort for and won by the Hurlingham Pigeons and, yes it is Ground Hog Day, these two teams won last year AND the year before! |
Here are a couple of pictures, the first is the last few intense minutes of the match and the second is the victorious Roehampton Team. Many congratulations to the winners. |
We had some wonderful feedback from players and I would like to thank firstly, Victor for all his hard work and secondly, Pearse for taking so much time to organise such a fantastic event. |
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Bridge School |
Both our Beginners and Intermediate classes continue to be very busy. |
We have our first Upstairs Downstairs Match on Tuesday 16 April. This is where our Intermediates play some members from our Duplicate. It is always a fun evening and we are always delighted to meet our students and give some encouragement. |
I assure you it is always played in an extremely friendly manner. |
General Information |
Our WhatsApp group now has 50 members! If you are looking for a partner or have anything else you want to share with fellow players (Bridge wise), please let me have your mobile number and I will add you to the group. |
St James's Clubs Members' |
We warmly welcome our St. James’s Club friends to join us on the last Thursday of every month for our regular Duplicate. We do encourage you to find a partner before coming along to the Club. |
There will be four Teams Events in 2024 on the last Thursday of the month that are open to both Royal Automobile Club and St. James’s Club teams. |
The dates are as follows: |
Thursday 23 May
Thursday 29 August
Thursday 28 November |
Non-St. James Club guests are welcome to come at play at the Club 12 times in any one year with a Royal Automobile Club member. |
I advise all players to visit the Club’s BridgeWebs page regularly as news is posted on these pages throughout the month. |
Important Dates For Your Diary |
Thursday 21 March Ross Cope Team Event
Monday 20 May Centenary Cup
Sunday 14 July Summer Party
Monday 23 September St James's Club Bridge Drive at the Reform Club
Sunday 27 October Ros and Bob Bowman Championship Pairs
Thursday 12 December Christmas Party |
If you have any questions about the Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Bridge Circle, please do get in touch with me. |
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Best Wishes |
Fiona McWatters |
Chair, Pall Mall Bridge Committee |
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Last updated : 1st Mar 2024 15:55 GMT |
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RAC v The Athenaeum Match Report |
The match played in the elegant Smoking room was very much a match of two halves. At half time the RAC team was down 11 IMPs. Fortified by a delicious meal and fuelled by a few glasses of wine and the convivial dinner conversation with our hosts, I am pleased to report the RAC reversed the first half deficit to finally win the match by 12 IMPs.
The Athenaeum as always were gracious hosts and a good time was had by all. The RAC Team later celebrated the narrow victory and appropriately brought in the bonus leap day by raising a glass in the Cocktail bar.
The RAC was represented by Paul Mainwaring and Yvonne Rogers, Mark Alcock and John Kemball, Sacha and Nick Fennell, Brigitte Kisiel and Lester Pereira.
Lester Pereira
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Last updated : 29th Feb 2024 11:47 GMT |
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FIXTURE LIST JANUARY TO JULY 2024 |
BELOW ARE PROPOSED MATCH TEAM DETAILS SENT OUT BY JOHN CRAGGS TO ALL PLAYERS ON 10TH JANUARY
THERE MAY BE A FEW SMALL CHANGES IF PLAYERS ARE NOW UNAVAILABLE
RAC Teams with pairings for February to July 2024
Captains shown in bold
MCC (away) February 21, Wednesday. 18.00 for 18.30. Howard S/Colin F Andrew K/David G Fay L/Robin K Howard W/David M
Athenaeum (away) February 28, Wednesday. 18.15 for 18.30 Lester P/Brigitte K Mark A/John K Paul M/Yvonne R Nick F/Sacha F
AELTC (home) March 11, Monday. Terrace Room 15.30 for 16.00 Paul F/Sally F Marina CP/Andrew K David W/Martin L Nick F/Sacha F
Queen's (away) March 27, Wednesday. 16.30 for 17.00 John C/Pascale H John K/Lissa G Fiona Mc/Ina W Jeremy W/Isobel PH
Oxford & Cambridge (away) April 8, Monday. 16.30 start Marina CP/Lester P Pralab B/Steven B Howard S/Colin F Robin K/Michael B
Woodcote (home) April 10, Wednesday. St James’s Room 12.30 lunch David W/Martin L Henry Mc/Fiona Mc John K/Pauli L Pearse E/Jeremy W
Club Int. CSA Belgium (away) April 15, Monday. Details later Marina CP/Lester P Pralab B/Howard S Andrew K/David G John C/Pascale H Brigitte K – reserve
Lord's Taverners (away) April 17, Wednesday. To be held at RAC – St James’s Room 15.00 for 15.30 Paul W/Marina CP Andrew K/David G Michael B/David M Paul F/Sally F
Cumberland (home) May 15, Wednesday. Terrace Room 16.00 for 16.30 Pralab B/Trevor S David W/Mark A Martin L/Pauli L Jill P/David O
Carlton (home) June 5, Wednesday. St James’s Room 16.30 start Henry Mc/Fiona Mc Mark A/Pauli L Jeremy W/Isobel PH Harvey B/Lissa G
ACF (away) June 14, Friday. Details later Howard S/David M Pralab B/Andrea G Paul F/Sally F John C/Pascale H Howard W/Oliver W Mark A/Pearse E
Roehampton (home) June 25, Tuesday. St James’s Room 16.30 for 16.45 Paul W/Marina CP Lester P/Howard S Paul F/Sally F Howard W/Terry S
Hurlingham (away) July 1, Monday. 16.00 for 16.30 Pralab B/Terry S Lester P/Robin Andrew K/Brigitte K Michael B/David M John C/Pascale H David W/Pears
New Club Edinburgh (home) July 13, Saturday. Mall Room 15.00 for 15.30 Henry Mc/Fiona Mc John K/Cecilia KP Pauli L/Ina W David O/Sandy
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Last updated : 23rd Feb 2024 17:13 GMT |
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MCC v RAC Match Report |
Yesterday evening, 21st February, saw the RAC being hosted by the MCC at Lords. Fortunately, it was bridge not cricket, although we might have been better off with ball and bat.
Andrew, David G, Robin and Fay made up one team, and David M and Howard W paired with Colin and I for the other. We did not acquit ourselves well in the first half where, over 12 boards, we each managed to lose 30+ imps and were 67 down before dinner. Our hosts gave us a most pleasant dinner (did I mention the wine?) and the evening was convivial and playing the game to match. In the second half we improved slightly, with one quartet winning comfortably and the other losing narrowly, we pulled back 21 imps to end up as the arithmetic declares.
The hands themselves were not noticeable save for an MCC slam, missed by us in the first half, balanced by an error from them in the second half, where they failed to bid a cold 6H and found themselves in 6NT. Unfortunately, East was void in Clubs and West had doubleton to the Q so we made the first 6 tricks! The oddest result (in our favour) was where we were allowed to make 4H at our table, and David and Howard ‘sacrificed’ 4S on theirs – and made it.
These ‘bonuses’ could not hide the fact we were outplayed and need to regroup if we are going to give them a run for their money in the future.
Howard Salter
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Last updated : 22nd Feb 2024 16:07 GMT |
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TRIANGULAR CUP MATCH REPORT |
2024 is the fourth time the Triangular Cup has been competed for by teams of 8 selected from the Bridge Committees of 3 Clubs and after an extraordinarily close match the Hurlingham Club pipped the Roehampton Club to win the Cup by a single Imp followed by the RAC in third place. The RAC and Hurlingham have each won the cup twice with Roehampton yet to cross the line in first place. Lester and David Owen are to be congratulated for contributing to a phenomenal result on one board by successfully doubling their Roehampton opposite pair in 6NT which produced a swing of 17 Imps on a single board. Without this result Roehampton would have run out winners by a significant margin.
In her welcoming speech over dinner Fiona referenced the social nature and friendships of the inter Club teams and this was taken up enthusiastically by both Roger Lawson and Malcolm Bricknell the Bridge Committee Chairs of Hurlingham and Roehampton respectively.
A special thanks to Gitte for directing the complex movement and scoring of the match and the banqueting team for delivering up a successful meal.
The RAC team comprised: Fiona and Ina, Lester and David O, Fay and Pearse, Michael and John
In 2025 the Roehampton Club will host the match.
Michael Bailey
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Last updated : 6th Feb 2024 10:09 GMT |
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PIANOLA |
We now subscribe to "Pianola", a service that gives interesting analysis and stats of your results from each session, as well as showing how they have been progressing over time. To get started, please give your Email address to Victor (brianplaysbridge@gmail.com) and you will receive a signup link next time you play duplicate at the club. Some of you may be familiar with Pianola from other clubs, and Victor will be able to add the RAC to your profile.
Victor Lesk
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Last updated : 28th Apr 2022 12:53 BST |
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