Duplicate bridge on is played on Tuesday evenings to which members are able to invite guests. Dinner (optional) is at 6.30pm and play starts promptly at 7.15pm.   

 

 

 

 

 

We entertained the Marylebone Cricket Club on 5 November for our first teams match of the season. Fortunately there were no fireworks, just a keenly contested match played in a convivial spirit throughout. The MCC edged into a 2IMP lead by the end of the first half but after a protracted dinner they built on their lead and finished the match 12 IMPs ahead. Congratulations to them. We find them to be one of our most difficult opponents to beat and they do us the honour of always fielding a strong team against us.

The Athenaeum was represented by John Neilson and Nita Wheeler, Catherine Rice-Evans and Rex Goad, Gregory Stone and Howard Salter and James Cooper and Geoffrey Lloyd.

 

 

Another match, another narrow defeat. That was the outcome when an experienced team from the Royal Automobile Club visited us on 11 February 2026. It was what a football pundit might have described as 'a game of two halves, Gary' with the Athenaeum team having a sluggish first half but, suitably fortified, coming back strongly after the interval to fall  short by the small margin of 4 IMPs. It was otherwise an enjoyable evening and we could say that the sociability of the occasion is what matters, with the result being of lesser significance. At least, that's the official line.

Our team was: John Neilson and Howard Salter, Andrew Harris and Charles King-Farlow, Catherine Rice-Evans and Rex Goad, James Cooper and Geoffrey Lloyd.

 

 

The Athenaeum team was drawn against Reform Finesse in the first round of the Devonshire Cup and managed to get off to a good start, establishing a comfortable lead by the interval. The second half was more evenly balanced but consistent play enabled our team to win by a margin of 840 points. Unfortunately we were unable to repeat our victory in the second round, losing to RAC Elite by a narrow margin.We were represented by John Neilson, Howard Salter, James Cooper and Geoffrey Lloyd.