The Philip Graham Teams was a very pleasant afternoon on the Isle Of Wight (sunday 7th May). Congratulations to the winners (Jeremy Dhondy, Andy Hughes, Steve Preston & Dave Huggett). Congraulations also to the team of Isle Of Wight residents  (John Fryer, Sue Kyle, Bud & Margaret Abbott) who were second and beat the winners in their head to head match. They would have pressed them harder but for losing one match quite heavily. The Tornament Director  thinks everyone enjoyed it, and the cake was abundant! He forgot to take a picture of the winners, but says he otherwise did a superb job.

This marks the end of the  2016-17 season of HIWCBA directed one day events; A very successful set of well directed events (well done to all otrganisers).  
The results confirms Steve Preston as the 2016-17 winner of the Derek Gibbins Victor Ludorum with Steave Tearle second. Congratulations to them and all who followed behind.
Hopefully all will spread the word that these HIWCBA events are good friendly events and hopefully all (and more) will return to do battle once again when the 2017-2018 season starts in september.
 

On the 6th May, Petersfield , as Solent Trophy winners, once again represented HIWCBA in the Garden Cities (Teams of 8) regional final. This time the team was James Clark,Owen Leigh,David Willis,Tim Smith, Gabriel Hearst,Mike Kinsey,Mike Fithyan,Steve Preston. They failed to qualify for the final but notched up a marginal improvement on the 2016 event (Just over 44% of the VPs as compared with just under 44%). Well done to them for representing the friendly face of HIWCBA. 

The AGM, presentations of trophies for county competitions and AGM championship pairs were all held on the 24th April.  
AGM: No information yet available to webmaster.
Presentation of trophies for county competitions: Winners detailed and pictured under county competitions 2016-2017 progress. Particular congratulations to those not previously congratulated via this webpage, i.e. Team Lamont, recently confirmed as HIWCBA league 2 winners, Basingstoke winners of the Basingstoke cup  and Derek Andrews and Jackie Woods winners of the simple systems pairs trophy.
AGM Championship pairs:  The championship pairs saw pairs competing for three trophies congratulations to the winners of each trophies (all pictured above):
Senior Pairs (Graham Cup ) winners:  Miles Cowling & Bob McRobert
Intermediate Pairs  (Mark Carr Trophy) winners: John Foster and David Barratt
Junior Pairs (Philbrick Trophy) winners: David and Christine Pine

The results of the Bayer No-Fear (held in clubs 24th-28th April) are now in. The no fear Overall winners were Betty Elkins and Phil Munday playing at Petersfield.
They beat Jackie Hudson and Jenny Wiberg from the Island Club by a mere 2/100ths of a percent!
Thanks to all who took part, ran heats, and provided commented hands.

Now, on the morning of the 7th May, all that remains for the season is the final event of the season that is directed at county level - the Philip Graham teams in yarmouth this afternoon (That event is likely to confirm Steve Preston as winner of the Derek Gibbins Victor Ludorum trophy), the Cahalan Cup Final (between Team Preston & Team Lawrenson) and the final match in HIWCBA league 2.

Congratulations to Ed Ahern & Ian Giles winners of the HIWCBA Paiirs Championship - the Pottage Cup - just maintaining their first place after the rescoring of board 37. 2nd were Stuart Strachen & Eleanor Rice, 3rd Mike Kinsey & Mike Fithyan with Helen Kinloch & Tony Page plus Jeremy Baker & Richard Hyde 4th=. The top four qualify to represent HIWCBA in the corwen trophy.

Also representing HIWCBA soon (in the Garden Cities trophy teams of 8) wiill be Petersfield winners of the Solent Trophy, beating Badger Farm in the final (recovering from -21 imps at half time to win by 13 imps). Congratulations to them.

Hearty HIWCBA congratulations to Andy Hughes & Steve Preston, winners of the 2017 National Pairs.

It is past the middle of March and county competitions are either completed or drawing to a close. The HICKO, which was dominated by Petersfield teams in 2015-2016, has been dominated by Basingstoke teams this year: Congratulations to Basingstoke C (pictured above) for beating Basingstoke B in the final. Other competitions are running more in line with the previous season. In HIWCBA League 1 congratulations to Team Birdsall (formally Team Zakrzewski) for retaining the League trophy with Team Preston second once again. In HIWCBA League 2 Team lamont, who just missed the last League 1 place, are in prime position. The finalists for the Pottage cup (championship pairs) are now known and the champions (Andy Hughes & Jeremy Dhondy) won the semi-final; In the Derek Gibbins (victor ludorum with 2 events to go),  Steve Preston is well on track to retain his title; In the solent trophy (teams of 8) previous champions Petersfield are in the final against Badger Farm;  The Cahalan cup (teams knockout) is running late - the champions have not yet been knocked out. The basingstoke cup was always going to have a new champion and the final is Gosport against Basingstoke.

Congratulations to Chris Stevens & Alastair Cowley (1st Overall) and Diana Syms & Ursula Henzel winners of the Mens & Ladies pairs on 5th March. Diana and Ursula were just pipped into 3rd  overall by Tony Page and Steve Tearle who had a storming second half but Alastair and Chris had a very solid set to win overall and carry off (to Dorset!) the honour of being the leading Mens Pair.

Well done to Stephen Martin (+2.43) , Jill Thom (+2.23) and Andrew Bingley (+2.20) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved publically available NGS grades  during February. Absolutely, John Dakin rose 2 to 5th (partially thanks to being 11/102 and 4/63  in the Harrogate open pairs and swiss teams -well done) and Owen Leigh entered the top ten at number 8. There were also some notable HIWCBA achievements in the lisbon overseas congress : well done to Ian & Clare Fearon (4th /52 in the swiss pairs  and 7/26 with Gordon Clarke & Ros Concannon in the swiss teams; the four of them were also 9th & 3rd /30 in the mixed pairs)  March brings the ladies & mens pairs on the 5th March,  the last pottage heat and the  pottage semi-final on the 18th. It also brings the next of Dave Huggetts excellent seminars on the 26th . Furthermore you can now enter all events up to the end of the season via calendar (incl. comp entry) - including the annual HIWCBA Green Point Event at Andover on 21st May - Enter now and you wont miss out on all the fun 

Congratulations to all who raised money for charity by entering the IBM cup and special congratulations to the top three pairs: Roger Johnson & John Wilson(Titchfield Bridge Club), David Hinkin & Andrew Bennett(Petersfield Bridge Club),Marian Grasso & Carol Parkes(Island (IoW) BC); Together with a very generous donation from Milford BC looks like we will have a surplus of £600 for the Hampshire Air Ambulance. Thanks also to Julian Pottage for the commentary, Mike Mollart-Rogerson for typesetting it, Anna Gudge for the ECATS hosting and Mike Kinsey for running the event efficiently. The IBM cup was followed (on the 19th Feb)  by the Valentine Teams in Romsey - congratulations to the victors Steve Preston & Andy Hughes, Richard & Christine Ray(pictured above). This win cements Steve Preston as firm favorite for the Derek Gibbins victor ludorum trophy.

Well done to Pam Thomas (+2.32),  Roderick Weston (+2.13) and  Sheila Clifford (+1.92) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved publically available NGS grades  during January. Absolutely, Dave Huggett & Richard Hyde return to 1st & 2nd without touching a card, Ian Ralph rises impressively to 4th and John Shepherd reenters the top 10 at number 9.  February and March bring the IBM cup charity sims in clubs week beginning 13th feb followed by the valentine teams on 19th Feb and the ladies & mens pairs on the 5th March. They also also brings several  more Pottage cup heats. Furthermore you can now enter all events up to the end of the season via calendar (incl. comp entry) - including the annual HIWCBA Green Point Event at Andover on 21st May - Enter now and you wont miss out on all the fun 

Congratulations to Tony Truluck & Lilias Lamont winners of the Candlestick Swiss pairs on 29th Jan. Second were Heather West & Philippa Bateman with Steve Tearle & Tracey Adams 3rd. This leaves Tony,Steve & Tracey as Steve Preston's main rivals for the Derek Gibbins trophy with four events to go. The next two of those events are the valentine teams & ladies and mens pairs ;Why not enter them now and join the fun?. 

At tea time in the mid winter teams, team smith looked bottom, but only 2 of their 7 matches had been scored and come the end of the day the 7th match played by their north south was a 16-4 victory against team ray which was just enough to level the competition on VPs. So congratulations to Tim Smith, Dave Willis, Lesley Lewis & Tim Dunsby winners of the Mid Winter Teams  on a split tie with the defending champions Richard Ray, Karen Dewer, Christine Ray & Steve Preston (all 8 pictured above),and to Steve Preston  for extending his lead in  the Derek Gibbins trophy. Good fun and lets hope the entries for the next romsey events keep rolling in.

Well done to Christopher Doyle (+2.94), Fil Navarro (+2.27) & Brian Stapleton (+1.90) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved publically available NGS grades  during December. Absolutely, congratulations to Jeremy Dhondy for remaining in first place; Also, Tony Page & Christine Ray as the two new entries into the top 10.

125 pairs took part in the Chidwick Cup during the first week of December this year, raising over £400 for the Hampshire Air Ambulance. Many thanks to all who took part, and congratulations to the winners, Ray Crawford and John Fairhurst. Full resuts here.
Then the Yuletide Mini Swiss Teams took place at Romsey on Sunday 11th December with plenty of yuletide fare and prizes. The result of the event itself was close with Tony Truluck & Stuart Burnett, Owen Leigh & Mike Kinsey finishing 2 vps ahead of Steve Tearle & Tracey Adams John Fairhurst & Keith Bennett thanks to some generous xmas offerings from their last round opposition. Congratulations to both teams and Merry Xmas to all who competed as well as to those that didn't.

Well done to David Lewis (+2.39), Helen Kinloch(+2.15) & Phil Hickman (+2.02) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved publically available NGS grades  during November. Absolutely, congratulations to Jeremy Dhondy for becoming the highest ranking HIWCBA member. John Shergold, Ian Ralph & David Wheeler also rise into the top 10 whilst Jeremy Baker has kept his No 10 spot.

Congratulations to John Sherringham, Steve Preston, Fred Hotchen and Andy Hughes, (above left)  winners of the Wessex Cup and Owen Leigh, Jeremy Baker, James Clark & Richard Hyde (above right) winners of the Bloxom Cup (2nd overall) on Sunday 27th November. This leaves Steve Preston on course to retain the Derek Gibbins Victor Ludorum trophy.

Well done to Andy Hughes/Jeremy Dhondy, James Clark/Owen Leigh, Dave Huggett/Steve Preston, Jeremy Baker/Guy Lawrenson, Sonia Zakrzewski/Gareth Birdsall for representing HIWCBA at the Tollemache qualifier on 19-20th November. They were drawn in the same group as our neighbours Dorset, with Miles Cowling switching his allegence to Dorset from HIWCBA to represent them; With some success as it turns out. Good luck to Dorset in the finals and better luck next year to the HIWCBA team. I am sure defecting to another county will be the wrong approach then.

November started with a well attended, successful seminar run by  Dave Huggett who informs me that his fan mail has increased as a result.
This was followed by the HIWCBA simple systems competition, with results now available. A total of 100 pairs played in the Simple Systems, a big increase from last year. Fred Hotchen made up a table at his improvers group, playing with someone who claimed to be the late great Giorgio Belladonna! They did rather well. We hope all participants enjoyed themselves, particularly those who were competing against more established players for the first time.
HIWCBA also held the Jubilee Cup teams of eight . Two teams were entered by members of Petersfield Bridge Club and they became the bread in a six team camera shy sandwich, with the other 4 teams forming a closely packed filling. Congratulations to the successful upper crust: Richard Assad & Jenny Ashby, David Willis & Tim Smith, Owen Leigh & Steve Preston, Tony Truluck & Stuart Burnett.
Nationally, the EBU held its Seniors Congress with some notable achievements from HIWCBA members:  John Jones & Adrian Fontes were in the team that was 4th in the teams event, with Jeremy Dhondy also in the top quarter of the field. In the pairs competition,Jeremy Dhondy was 6th in the 20 pair A final, Pauline Serby & John Moore also reached the A final and Mike Fithyan, Jones Jones & Adrian Fontes all reached the B final.

Well done to Glyn Thomas (+2.80), Trevor Croucher(+2.70) & Christopher Cottrell (+2.18) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved publically available NGS grades  during October. Absolutely the first change is Jeremy Baker's entry into the top 10 at number 10. Will he be able to stay there next month? Andrew Bennett finished 4th relatively thanks largely to his team (Andrew, Rosalind Concanon, Tim Smith & Dave Willis) winning the Blue Pointed Petersfield Swiss Teams on 22nd October, fighting off teams with Dorset & Devon representatives in them, followed by a successful visit to Worcestershire's Malvern congress (2nd in the swiss pairs). Next year I will remember to help Maureen Rubra's publicity by putting the Petersfield date in the HIWCBA calender!

Congratulations to Richard & Christine Ray (Pictured) winners of the HIWCBA mixed & married pairs competition which attracted 30 pairs last Sunday. John Moore and Pauline Serby were the highest mixed but unmarried pair in 2nd place.  This result gives Richard a narrow lead in the Derek Gibbins trophy after two events. PS. Following observations at this event, all future entry forms have / will have a cancellation option as well as a new entry & resubmission option.
Jeremy Dhondy, John Dakin & Adrain Fontes/Karen Dewer preferred the EBU autumn congress the same weekend with notable success: Jeremy qualifying for the main pairs and teams finals and doing well in them, John qualifying for the main pairs final and Adrian/Karen qualifying for both the secondary finals. 
The autumn congress's really easy  afternoon was won by  Basingstoke's Andrew & Mary Ferguson, playing at Richmond.Extremely well done to them. (The lymington heat was won by Julian Patten & Heather Tarbard  (4th overall in that competition))
Prior to this Gordon Clarke & Ros Concanon had some good results in the Lake Garda Overseas congress (Notably 4th in the Open Pairs and 5th in the Mixed Pairs) & Bill Taylor was 11th= in the Great Northern Swiss Pairs with Wei Che Tham half of the pair winning the C stratification prize.
Then back in September Steve Preston & Dave Huggett were 1/2 of the team who were second in our neighbour Surrey's Green Point Swiss Teams.

We have now moved into October. Well done to Lesley Bolam (+2.88), Anthea Cowan(+2.65), Jean Steele (+2.54) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved NGS grades  during September. Absolutely Dave Huggett remains 1st, extending his lead and moving up to A♠, Jeremy Dhondy moves up to 2nd and Richard Hyde slips down to 3rd. Looking forward, The next HIWCBA event is the Mixed/Married pairs on 16th October (enter now!). For the less experienced player, there are really easy bridge events at Lymington & Churt on the 14th October and clubs should be looking to hold heats of our simple systems competitions during the week of the 7th to 11th November. There is also our seminar on 6th November Looking back at neighbouring county and national events, September saw the Guildford green point weekend (etc). Congratulations to ....(list to be completed)

Congratulations to camera shy Miles Cowling & Steve Preston, Jeremy Dhondy & Andy Hughes winners of the Candover Teams on 18th September(see results) . Several 2015-2016 cups were also presented. Congratulations again to all those who received trophies - including those whose pictures are now to be found on the county competitions page.

August has gone and with September comes the HIWCBA season. Events until xmas may now be entered. League and knockout draws have now been made and the competitions are underway. In Eastbourne in August well done to the following: Andy Hughes & Jeremy Dhondy 14th in the main swiss pairs event  with John Jones & Adrian Fontes also in the top fifth of the field; Bob McRobert 4th in the Seniors pairs; Lilias Lamont 4th in the mixed pairs championship. Also, John Dakin was in the top quarter of the Monday open pairs and Steve Tearle & Tracey Adams just snuck into the top quarter of a couple of one day events. Finally well done to R Green-Wilkinson(+2.60), Jane Jenner(+2.40) and Keith Golding(+2.38) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved NGS grades  over the month of August. 

Congratulations to Bill Taylor part of the pair that won the main Swiss Pairs event at the Scarborough Summer Congress at the end of July  (Jeremy Dhondy 7th=), and well done to Joan Holmes(+2.39), Neil Goulding(+2.26) and Sam Golding(+2.19) 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the HIW list of improved NGS grades  over a 28 day period in July. Then in early August well done to John Dakin part of the pair second in the Northern Midweek Congress Championship Pairs.

Our neighbour Dorset had its Dorest Green Pointed Swiss Pairs on Sunday 24th July with plenty of HIWCBA entrants the best of which were Karen Dewar & Adrian Fontes (3rd=) equal with Christine Bradley; Then Jeremy Dhondy & Jeremy Baker 5th & Steve Tearle & Tracey Adams 7th.
Otherwise (to 26th) July had national events -  the English Riviera Congress (In the swiss pairs  Adrian Fontes & John Jones just squeeked into the top quarter), Eastbourne Summer Seniors Congress(Well done to Jeremy Dhondy half of the pair who were 6th in the Championship Pairs A final and to Ann McMahon & Sula Turpin for qualifying for that final. Also, Rosalind Concanon 5th in the Championship Pairs B Final and Adrian Fontes & John Jones 2nd in Swiss pairs. In the swiss teams well done again to  Jeremy Dhondy part of a team that was 3rd & Adrian Fontes & John Jones part of a team who were also in the top quarter)

Following the HIWCBA Green Point Swiss Teams on 22nd May, June has seen several neighbouring Green Point events - Congratulations to Miles Cowling & Dave Huggett, Steve Preston & Jeremy Baker victorious raiders at the Dorset Green Pointed swiss teams; also Jeremy Dhondy whose largely Dorset team just squeaked into the top quarter.  The EBU Southern Midweek Congress (14-16th June) was right next door in Bournemouth this year, and HIWCBA members were 2nd in both events Congratulations to Andy Hughes & Jeremy Dhondy in the pairs and Lindsay McDougall, Helen Kinloch, Graham Ledger & Manny Navarro in the teams. Well done also to Bob McRobert  and Mike Fithyan in the top quarter of the pairs/teams (playing with others who arent primary HIW members with public NGS grades).  No top quarter results for HIWCBA pairs in Berks & Bucks on 18th or 19th June. Those not mentioned  who entered will also have enjoyed themselves.

Well done to HIWCBA teams champions Team Zakrewski (Represented by Gareth Birdsall, Sonia Zakrzewski, Adam Dunn, Graham Allan) representing HIWCBA in the Pachabo Cup on 11/12th June. They came equal 6th out of 26 competing counties - we have to go back to 2008 to find a better HIW result. Its now up to the 2016/2017 HIW League 1 season to qualify a team to do even better next year.

Congratulations to HIWCBA pair  Andy Hughes & Jeremy Dhondy 2nd in the Corwen on 4th/5th June. Hopefully Mike Kinsey & Owen Leigh (37th) and Gloria Benton & Susan Poole (73rd) also enjoyed the opportunity to play  as HIWCBA qualifiers against other counties' top pairs.