This very popular event is back once again but needs your support to make it a success!

Date: Thursday 2nd July

Venue: Deva Bridge Club

Start time: 7.00 pm

Format: 24-26 boards Swiss Teams if possible, otherwise all v all teams

There will be free tea/coffee and biscuits available throughout the evening.

Please register and pay in advance by filling in the form below and making payment by bank transfer, at the discounted rate of £16.00 per team, using the following bank details:

• Payee: Merseyside & Cheshire Bridge Association
• Sort code: 09-01-50
• Account no: 05876354
• Reference: JimD + captain’s surname.

Entries will be accepted on the day will be accepted but only by paying the full fee of £20 in cash before 6.45 pm.#

Please contact the event organiser, Chris Raymond (drcjr56@gmail.com or 07376 618852), with any queries.

With regret, the County have taken the difficult decision to cancel the John Armstrong Swiss pairs event that was scheduled for Saturday 16 May.

Unfortunately, the number of entries is insufficient for a viable competition.  We would like to thank all pairs who entered and apologise for the inconvenience.  Refunds will follow forthwith.

This competition has now reached the final stage with team Merril to play against team Stevenson.  As always, the eventual winners will be invited to represent M&CBA in the Pachabo which is the national final for county championship knockout victors. This year however, the EBU have relaxed the rules considerably as to who may represent their county in the Pachabo. If the winners and runners up decline to take part then any team or parts of teams taking part might get the chance to play in the Pachabo & we will report more about this as the Connell competition progresses.

Nineteen pairs played in the Liverpool Open Pairs on Sunday 29th March at Liverpool Bridge Club, superbly directed by David Smith.  This prestigious competition, returning after a break of a few years, took place for the first time in the club’s excellent new premises.

Congratulations to David Stevenson and Liz Commins who won for the fifth time, edging out Julian Merrrill and Paul Roberts in second place.

Congratulations also to the highest place 9 High pair, Gabriel McCarthy and Penny Roberts, who finished in third place overall.  They, and two other pairs, qualify for the EBU 9 High Corwen in May.

The Tollemache competition is one of the most prestigious EBU events contested by teams of eight representing counties and regions from all over England & Wales. The qualifier took place on Realbridge over the weekend of 8th/9th Nov involving 30 teams playing 98 boards in 2 heats with the top 4 to qualify for the final. Merseyside & Cheshire were represented by Matt Foster/John Hampson, Chris Pope/Andy Prothero, Laurence Stone/Jerry Hopkins, Paul Roberts/Julian Merrill & Paddy Murphy/Tracy Sherman. Our team produced a very creditable performance coming in equal 6th with London (who have a very much larger pool of players to choose from) and missed qualifying for the final by just 5 IMPs. Thanks to all for taking part & especially to John Hampson for also acting as team manager.

This competition has now ended with the final round on Saturday 11th October. Our A team had a mixed day with 2 wins & 1 draw from their 5 matches. Chris Pope & Andy Prothero were however top overall on X-imps. Looking at the cummulative scores Merseyside finished joint 2nd with Yorkshire on 220 VPs with Lancashire & Scotland tied in 1st position on 230 VPs. 

The C team had a better day defeating Yorkshire & then winning the crucial match against Lancashire by a maximum 20 VPs before then managing somehow to lose their final match against the lowest placed team (Cumbria). Chris Raymond & Colin Humphrey were top overall on X-imps with all three other pairs either positive or very close to par. 41 VPs on the day puts our cummulatve score at 147 and comfortably the winners of this division which means we get to go again in the national final next year.

Thanks to all for taking part. If you have not played in this competition before but are interested in taking part next year please contact the team organiser Chris Raymond ( drcjr56@gmail.com ).