*UPDATE* END OF DAY 5, 5th JULY -  that was a hard day and the team didn't win against Romania, and the same result against Poland, and they ended the )day in fifth place. Today the team are playing Austria - at at the time of this update they won 14-53, a good start! Next up is Italy (18th), Denmark (14th), and Estonia (24th).

*UPDATE* END OF DAY 3, 3rd JULY - the team ended the day in second place! Tomorrow is a 4-match day, starting with Croatia (14th), France (4th), Turkey (24th) and Finland (16th).

*UPDATE* END OF DAY 2, 2nd JULY - The team won all four of their matches ended up 4th with Latvia, France and Belgium ahead of them. Abbey reports 'We had a good day, great wins against Ireland and also against Israel who are the defending champions. Slightly easier day tomorrow with only 3 matches [instead of 4] so we will each play 2 matches'. Today the team play Lithuania (21st in the table), Portugal (20th) and Norway (17th).

*UPDATE* END OF DAY 1, 1ST JULY - the team ended the first day 10th in the rankings after holding second after their fourth game with results still to come in. A strong first day and Abbey reports 'Decent first day. It's tough going and very hot in the playing room and definitely no easy matches!' Today the team face Hungary, Ireland, Switzerland and Israel.

Abbey will be playing for England in the Mixed Teams European Championships next week!

All matches are 16 board rounds and the first day's matches are against Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium (ouch!). Information on how to watch the play online, when it becomes available, and updates direct from Abbey (including photos), and how the team are doing in this very high level competition, will be on the website and Facebook. Abbey is in now Riga (Latvia) and will start playing on Wednesday 1st July. The schedule is on the notice board at the Club. 

Day 4 was intense! Abbey reports 'the match against France was crucial, it was intense but very pleased with that win!'. At the start of Day 3 France were in 4th which was why it was crucial to beat a top 4 team. Across all the four matches England and Belgium were trading places and it's still very close! Today the team play Romania (the match has just finished and they didn't win that one) and Poland (3rd - a crucial match!). The third match they have a bye so a much deserved rest for the team. The Poland match is broadcast on VuGraph, it's not scheduled on BBO currently so it's likely to be on Realbridge.

The live scores are here LoveBridge VuGraph, it is the 'mixed round robin' that you need to look at.

Results and ranking on the event website.

*Booking for12th August*

This is the fifth in a series of Master Classes by Abbey at the Abbey Smith Bridge Club and will be about 'hand shapes' - how to use the bidding to count the shape of a player's hand and use the information in card play. Abbey will provide an entertaining and informative mix of teaching, practical advice and exemplar hands, in her own inimitable style.

From 20th June until 28th June 2026 booking is open for ASBC members at £20 pp. From 29th June 2026 bookings will be open to other bridge clubs for £25pp. For non members that don't know Abbey, Abbey regularly plays for England and her style of teaching is relaxed, fun and the Abbey Smith Bridge Club has excellent accessible facilities in Buckinghamshire 8 miles from Milton Keynes. The ASBC is one of the fastest growing bridge clubs in England and is thriving with more than 250 members that play regularly. **Please consider whether you are definitely able to attend before booking** Of course, things happen and you may not be able to make it, but please provide us with as much notice as you can to enable us to fill the place, it would be much appreciated!

*Wednesday 15th July 2026 at 10am*

The 'pre-empting' Master Classe by Abbey at the Abbey Smith Bridge Club is now fully booked. If you would like to be put on the reserve list then please email Sarah on Abbeysmith.asbc.logistics@gmail.com!

The Abbey Smith Bridge Club has risen by 9 places to 38 out of 50 in the EBU ranking of clubs by player sessions between March 2025 and March 2026. This is fantastic news and a real indicator as to how the club is growing. Thank you to all the players that made this possible by supporting the club year on year! You can look at the full rank list here EBU Top 50 Clubs by Players

The duplicate Weekly Winners at Abbey Smith Bridge Club W/c 22nd June 2026 Congratulations go to:

Allen Duff and Rob Timpson (Monday)

Steve Viney and Martin Flynn (Wednesday)

N/S David and Pat Wood (Thursday am)

E/W Sue Russell and Tricia Russell (Thursday am)

Keith Rickson and Paul Garthwaite (Thursday)

N/S Ralph Holliday and Richard Devas (Friday)

E/W Steve Viney and Stephen Kleppen (Friday)

In May 2026 at the Abbey Smith Bridge Club overall we had 164.5 tables across all sessions and there were 17 different winners! Richard Devas, Ralph Holliday and Stephen Kleppen are tied in first place with two wins each.  Congratulations also go to the following players, in alphabetical order, with a win each: Avril Bates, Eilis Kleppen, Hilary Derbyshire, Jane Milne, Judi Malpass, Keith Rickson, Max Walshe, Paul Garthwaite, Peter Malpass, Philip Derbyshire, Richard Lake, Steve Viney, Sue Russell and Tricia Russell. Well done everyone!