Bear with me as I need to put in the usual spiel...about being a member of Staffs and Shropshire Contract Bridge Association, and hence why it is that you are receiving this email., etc, etc.

The S&SCBA is for all its members and not as it might seem at times for the tournament players etc. Although that in itself is no bad thing as it is my remit as competition secretary (not really yet, need to get the votes ;) ) to get more people playing competitive bridge, at all levels of ability. That is why you will see in the coming months, more 9-high competitions.

It is the summer break for many of our activities, but before highlighting these, it would be remiss of me not to mention recent events. Firstly, to congratulate Paul and Kate on winning the county mixed pairs. Then in the national finals for the county teams of 4 cup winners, the Pachabo, S&SCBA (mea culpa) didn't exactly set the heather on fire. It was however a nice weekend of bridge, at a very high level of bridge, and all our representatives thoroughly enjoyed the event and experience. And seriously, there is no reason why this could not be you, next year.

Summer is of course a quieter time of the year for bridge - although Eastbourne is there for the fanatics, this is always a good occasion, check out the EBU website for the details, it is not too late to enter. However, closer to home in the county we are having our simultaneous pairs event on 13th August. I stress again my desire to get as many as possible and at every standard playing bridge across the county. Sim pairs is a great way to do this, to see how your game is doing against others in the county, and perhaps even to get yourself noticed.

There are two face-to-face heats at Wrekin and Newcastle under Lyme, and if you wish to play there, and are unsure of the details please refer to the county webpage for more details. Contact Pam or Martin of these clubs, as detailed there, for further local information. A third heat is being played on the BBO website. I feel I need to spell out that this online game is very much an exclusive county event, and that all participants are regular players from across the area and known to us all. We are a small friendly group, of around six or so, tables.

To play in this simultaneous event on BBO (or indeed any regular S&SCBA Wednesday night game), players must as county members be pre-registered with John Withers. This is best achieved by contacting John through the link on the county website, which will request all the pertinent details. This avoids random folk joining us.

I again stress that all players in that Weds 7.00 SSCBA game (whether regular game of simultaneous) are well known within the county, this is exclusively for S&SCBA members. Players will of course need to invest in some BBO$ to play in this online game. I am more than happy to supply the details.

I am involved with schools and have today broken up for the six-week break. I am therefore very conscious that these six weeks will fly through all too fast and soon it will be September.

If I were to be asked what one event underpins the County bridge scene, it would be for me the monthly S&SCBA Teams of Four League during the winter months. Teams of four is slightly different from the weekly pairs' night at the club. Indeed, some might argue it is a purer form of bridge, with one pair sitting north south, and team mates east west at the other table. It is played (usually) on BBO, and whilst it is planned to be played on the second Thursday of each month, Sept through April, dependent on number of teams, this can be re-arranged to suit, the teams involved.

To play in this, players must be registered with the county, and while having S&SCBA as the county of primary allegiance is not a pre-requisite for this event, this might be required for subsequent events that this league might qualify the players for. Let me or Paul, our county captain, know of your wish to play in this. We might even be able to help with teammates, etc.

And finally, September will also see the start of the six Midland Counties Teams of Four matches, where you, yes you, can represent the county against other counties, in one of the three leagues that are available. There are seven inter-county matches through the course of the season. Well actually, there is the possibility of being more than three leagues.

As EBU members you'll be aware of their rating system, our ngs rating. It is hoped that in the county scene there might be the opportunity for a 9-high league (at the current rate my ranking might have fallen to that by then...) - so again we want to get more people involved regardless of their perceived idea of their ability. Watch this space!

If you feel, that you fall into this 9-high category and would like to represent the county, against similarly ranked players from the other counties, please let Paul, soonest as the counties are currently investigating the viability of this.

Enjoy the summer, and I'll hopefully see you at a table, whether real or online in the near future Have fun

Tony Togneri