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.
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