We had a fantastic turn out for this year's congress, held at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino, with 19 tables for the Swiss Pairs and 15 for the Swiss Teams. The congress was played face to face for the first time since Covid. Players travelled from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and locally from as far away as Jurby, Kirk Michael, Ramsey and Castletown.
Congratulations to Ceri Pierce and Eric Cummings who won a tightly fought competition in the Swiss Pairs. In second place were Carole Kelly and Geoff Kenyon, with local players Steve Baggs and John Large coming equal third along with Sue Fjortoft and Nick Woodcock.
Congratulations also to the Swiss Teams winners, Carole Kelly, Geoff Kenyon, Gill Copeland and Steve Blackburn. In second place were Jim Hay, Derrick Peden, Lindsay Herbert and local man Diccen Sargent. Third were regular visitors Sue Woodcock, Bill Carr, Sue Fjortoft and Nick Woodcock.
The opening session on the Friday afternoon, the mixed/open pairs was a combined event and won by locals Steve Baggs and John Large. Winners of the Mixed pairs and Second overall were Steve Blackburn and Nichola Cockerill-Smith and third were Stuart Davies and Paul Belsen.
Thanks to all who entered and special thanks to Sarah Amos our very popular director. I hope players weren't too distracted by the lovely view of the sea and Douglas Bay and the noise of the horse trams clip clopping past. We look forward to welcoming bridge players from far and wide to next year's congress.
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