No one can remember when our two super clubs first competed in a bridge match. 20,30,40 years plus?
2026 brought our now annual team of 12 match to south west London and a game of two halves:
Hurlingham 20 imps up after the first 12 boards with RAC enjoying a baptism of joy in the second 12 to run
out overall winners by 46 imps. Monica, the Hurlingham captain, entertained the players with a clever and
witty speech during dinner which embraced the competitiveness of our matches against the fun and charm
in which the two sides choose to enjoy each other’s company at the table. Congratulations to my team
members for playing so well and thank you to Hurlingham staff for looking after us so well over dinner
during a crazily busy time for them at the club.

Team members:
Michael Bailey (captain) and Robin Kilborn Sally and Paul Found Nigel Clayton and Geoff Lane
Pascale Hakim and Pearse Elder Mike Hammond and David Bruce Lissa Gillott and Oliver Wand

Our team of 12 for this being the third time we have played against Le Cercle were split into 3 teams of 4
Team 1: Howard Salter, Pralab Barua, Andrew and Brigitte Kisiel
Team 2:Howard Wand (captain) Oliver Wand, Michael Bailey and Andrea Geser
Team 3: David Owen, Pascale Hakim, Pearse Elder and Trevor Southam
The combined results of all matches were Le Cercle 156, RAC 139 but the overall winners were Team 3

Rapidly approaching our Golden Anniversary, the RAC played the Automobile Club de France on the 5th June
in our annual bridge match. This year we had the good fortune to be playing away, at their club overlooking
the Place de Concorde. An absolutely beautiful setting.

We began as we intended to continue, by having a welcoming dinner for ourselves, on the eve of the match,
at a restaurant recommended by Pascale and organised by her and her husband, Amine. We had a great
time and it started us on the right foot. Excellent food and immediate camaraderie while the wine, the day
before the match, could flow freely.

On Friday morning, we walked, en masse, to the ACF club where we were warmly greeted by our hosts and
given a morning cup of coffee or tea. We were made to feel at home so the day began very comfortably and
as we had expected, most amicably.

We had a half-way break with a most appetising buffet lunch which we all noted and commented that, at
home, we might find it hard put to match it. Wine was offered for flowing purposes but we managed to
curtail this to a dribble, before the restart for the second half.

In the evening, we, with all those of our partners with us, were, after the inevitable champagne, treated to
a truly excellent dinner rounded off by a dessert (or two) to savour and remember. It was most fortunate we
chose to walk back to our hotel, we only just managed to pass the breathalyser allowing us to walk!

Oh yes. Between eating and drinking, we managed to squeeze in our match, It comprised 4 rounds of 10
boards each. There were two teams - the first of 4 pairs (Pralab Barua, Howard Salter, Brigitte Kisiel and
Andrew Kisiel making up one team and Howard and Oliver Wand with Andrea Geser and Michael Bailey
making up the second) and the second team of 2 pairs (Pascale Hakim, Pearse Elder and Trevor Southam
and David Owen).

The team of 8 were substantially ahead, extending our lead at the end of each of the first 3 'sets' of 10
boards. I think we took our foot off the pedal not to mention our collective eye off the ball (a little), in the
last quarter, but survived more than comfortably to recover the cup and bring it home.

The team of 4 did not fair quite as well but it was a close match for much of the game. We were slightly
ahead at the halfway stage, lost the third quarter which put us behind and succeeded in drawing the last
quarter. Sadly, it not quite enough, losing by 6 IMPS . Particular thanks to Trevor and David who accepted
the invite to join us when one pair withdrew, at comparatively short notice and, obviously, little chance to
prepare. Even greater thanks to Pearse, who stepped in at the 11th and a half hour to replace John Craggs
who has been stricken with a severe illness and has been undergoing major attention and operation. Pearse
took on the mantle heroically, while Pascale, John's usual partner was equally stoic at the sudden sad
change. Together, they acquitted themselves well (and made an even greater positive contribution to our
match at Le Cercle on Sunday.

Monday 18 May, saw 9 teams of 8 competed for the 2026 Centenary Cup, including guests from 5 clubs whom we regularly play in the inter club matches. At the midway point, after 12 boards, the MCC were neck and neck with Hurlingham Peacocks with the 3 RAC teams in mid table. However, the very interesting hands proved more helpful to our opponents in the final 12 as the two Pall Mall teams, Red and Blue, drifted ever downwards finishing in 7th and 8th places beating the Cumberland Club into last place a mere 1 imp away. Woodcote Park finished mid table in 5th place just ahead of the 2025 winners Phyllis Court. The Roehampton Club cruised through the field but were unable to catch the eventual winners the MCC with the two Hurlingham teams Peacocks and Hearts finishing a credible 3rd and 4th.

The Centenary Cup competition started in 2011 to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the RAC purchasing its wonderful building in Pall Mall. The bridge competition has been played 15 times missing only one year in 2020 due to the pandemic. Over that period Pall Mall has won on 6 occasions, including the first 4 years from 2011 to 2014, and until this year no other Club had won it more than once. The MCC are clearly on a roll, admittedly with the inclusion of 3 RAC members and one RAC candidate among their 8 MCC members, as they are now two times winners. The other clubs to have won comprise Phyllis Court, Saville, Hurlingham, Roehampton, Reform, Oxford & Cambridge and the Lansdowne Club.

Howard Wand represented the Bridge Committee in organising the event, which was managed by Victor and Gitte during the afternoon and evening incredibly efficiently and Orlando and his banqueting team carried out their tasks during the post match dinner with their usual calm assurance we enjoy so often. It was a successful event enjoyed by all as demonstrated by the kind words spoken by so many of the guest team captains.

Red Team:
Michael Bailey/David Mannooch
Paul Weston/Marina Chaning Pearce
Paul Found/Sally Found
Howard Salter/Robin Kilborn

Blue Team:
Howard Wand/Andrea Geser
Paula Laumen/Ina Wolf
Trevor Southam/John Kemball
Pearse Elder/Rita Skinner

Match report by Michael Bailey 

More keenly awaited perhaps than England’s match against France, Saturday 18 July also saw the RAC pitch a team against our old friends from the New Club, Edinburgh, fortunately with home advantage at Pall Mall.

As often with these things, it was a game of two halves. After 12 boards the RAC was ahead by a very impressive 86 IMPs, but then the New Club more found its feet - helped by a successful 6NT contract by Xiaoyu and Ivaylo who were playing for an opposition short of numbers; thank goodness Rita and I didn’t double - we came home to eventually win by a still satisfying 73 IMPs. Who knows though what would have happened if the match had gone to extra time, or to penalties?

We then retired for drinks and an excellent dinner and much good hearted banter in the Terrace Room, followed by a few hardy souls heading down to the Cocktail Bar.

All in all, a lovely afternoon and evening, played in good spirits, leaving me to only thank Rachel Cadell and all our friends from the New Club, Ina for the delightful menu, Victor the boards, Lester technical director on the day, and of course the RAC’s whole events team - for as ever making sure everything else ran so smoothly and successfully.

We can now keenly look forward to a return match in Edinburgh in 2027, perhaps in late June, early July, final date to be confirmed. I would strongly recommend anyone interested to throw their hat into the ring when invitations go out. Golf clubs and rods optional extras. And in the interim, we hope to see some members of the New Club joining us at our Thursday duplicate, when next in London. They would be most welcome!

RAC Team

Sandy Jones/ Paul Mainwaring

Jeffrey Lawrence / Mike Hammond

Lester Pereira/ Nigel Clayton

Rita Skinner/David Owen

Match Report – David Owen, Captain

8 aside, 24 boards of bridge, competitive match played in such a relaxed, calm and charming manner and a win. What more can a captain ask for? The increasing cross fertilisation of memberships where a player is a member of both competing clubs, on this occasion David Owen, I am convinced adds a spice or twinkle to the occasion. There is a natural softness of familiarity enhanced by the undoubted bond of friendship and respect between opponents who have faced each other across the table umpteen times over the years. The result - a match of two halves as so often is the way. The RAC took an early lead by a mighty 61 imps by halftime matched almost but not quite by a surge by Roehampton of 54 imps in the second half meaning that the RAC won by a much slimmer 7 imps. An excellent contest where clearly either side could have run out winners. In fact there was a recognition possibly on both sides that if the match had continued for another 2 or 3 boards the winning name on the “trophy” would have begun Roe not Roy. Well played team and thank you to the 2 reserves Paul and Sally Found and a last minute recruit Antonia Muir who took the places of those who could not make it. The banqueting team did their usual excellent job and for once received a clap from the diners for their efforts. The Stewart and Seagrave rooms are such exquisite venues to share with guests to the club.

Team

Michael Bailey (Captain) and David Mannooch

Sally and Paul Found

Antonia Muir and David Wilson

John Kemball and David Owen