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  Andrew helping children
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  What went wrong?
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  Concentrating?
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  Zahir helping children

Pictures of Andrew helping the junior members.

I am delighted to report that Zane Soonawalla, playing with his father Zahir, won the friendly pairs competition at the 2019 Oxford Congress on Sunday afternoon.

The partnership of Henry Rose and Freddie Beneat played for the England U16 team in the World Bridge Federation online Championship, and have also won. They beat the favourites, USA. All the youngsters learned their bridge at OJBC.

3rd March 2019 saw a training morning followed by a competition in the afternoon for 2 tables of minibridge and 4 tables of bridge. As there were parents and grandparents playing with the children, prizes were awarded to the winning pair of children, as well as to the winning pair.

The third competition was held at Oxford Bridge Club (OBC) on the afternoon of 19th November when twenty two children aged 8-14 years descended upon the balloon decorated premises generating laughter and goodwill. 

The bridge club and adult helpers were warmly thanked. Prizes were awarded in the three categories of minibridge, novice bidders and experienced bidders and were presented by Pat Lewis the Chairman of OBC.

1. Minibridge 1st. Oscar Ngong from Summerfields (+ adult), joint 2nd Harry Ellis and Amelia Beecroft from Kidmore End, and Sam Soonawalla (Dragon) and his partner Oliver Christiansen from Millbrook School Grove.

2. Novice bridge players 1st Dimi Fitzherbert from Summerfields (+adult)

3. Bridge players 1st Thomas and Jacob Potter (Dragon School), 2nd Aidan Saunders (Summerfields) and Zane Soonawalla (MCS)

The participating children came from 9 schools: Abingdon, Didcot girls, The Dragon, Harrow, Kidmore End Primary, Marcham Primary, Magdalen College, Millbrook nr Wantage and Summerfields.

This event mustered 20 tables with 8 juniors competing - a record. Jack and Nathan won 2nd prize whilst David and Ed won the non-expert prize - both cash prizes and very welcome to teenagers! All eight of them won at least one match and were universally praised by the adults for their superb table manners.

There were some very good county players at the annual event on Sunday, and our junior members played really well against them, all of them winning at least one of their 'minimatches' as well as enjoying the substantial tea. The pairs finished as follows:- 3rd Jamie Muller/JB, 25th George Anstis/John Mewes, 28th Nathan Galpin/Jack Lawrence, 37th Dominic Cooke/ Edmund Lea. This is the 3rd year running in which the junior participation has increased, and Jamie Muller at 16, is the highest placed ever junior. 

This was played on Sunday 31st January - yes, you guessed it - at Abingdon. It is an adult event with a lot of VERY GOOD players. Six  juniors entered and all played and behaved well. They were George Anstis, George Cooper, Jamie Muller, Henry Rose, Lizzy van der Veen and William Wauchope. Jamie Muller, playing with his granny came second from 44 pairs. Well done to all of you.

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For the last few years it has been customary to end the school year with a pro-am tournament where local bridge players are invited to partner the school pupils who have been learning bridge or minibridge. This year there were 12 pupils playing with 12 adults.The event was ably directed by David Walton, and Gwyneth Goss worked hard to find a full complement of adults. A good time was had by both adults, and pupils, and this and the preceding year’s bridge classes are much appreciated by the school.

This year the winning pupil was Lara Withers who was playing with Martin Cutler. The runners up were Bo Sanders and Alex Porter.

April 2017