The New Season

It seems that the Blue Club has come to stay. Last year it caused many of us Acolytes some frustration when a bid such as 1 Diamond turned out to mean something different every time it was opened - and some delight when inexperienced Blue Clubbers botched their Canapé. This year many pairs will be much more experienced and will have got the bugs out of the system, so look out for some startling results. I hear that several pairs who did well last year have broken up and we shall be playing in County competitions against some unfamiliar partnerships. It all makes for variety - it is the infinite variety of the game that brings us back in ever-increasing numbers and with undiminished enjoyment each new season.

Limitation of Penalties.

The E.B.U. has confirmed that the method of limiting penalties for aggregate scoring at Duplicate Bridge is entirely at the discretion of the Clubs.

In Staffordshire the limitations of 600 (non-vulnerable) and 800 (vulnerable) for defeating contracts below slam level and of 800 (non-vulnerable) and 1,000 (vulnerable) for making contracts below slam level are generally adopted. These limits can operate unfairly if a pair collects a fat (but restricted) score when others are gaining full points for a slam bid and made. On hands where successful undoubled, doubled or re-doubled slam contracts have been made, it is suggested that pairs in other contracts should be allowed to score their actual points gained up to the limit of the highest slam score recorded.

New Bridge Engagement.

No, not an Uttoxeter Congress nor a Potteries League, but the best kind of pairs get-together. Congratulations to Miss Duncan and Ian Ferguson on their recent engagement. We hope to see them competing in Staffordshire's new Flitch competition next March.

The Calendar for 1971/72.

Please note from the attached calendar that entries for the Coronation Cup and for the Staffordshire League close on September 12th. Bearn heats will be held at Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Stafford and Stone this year. The Stafford Bridge Club has new premises at The White Eagle Club, 24 Lichfield Road, Stafford.

PROGRAMME FOR 1971-1972.

STAFFORDSHIRE CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION LIST OF EVENTS AND HOLDERS

STAFFORDSHIRE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP ( BEARN TROPHY)
Holders : G. Link and R. Keane.
Heats will be played at Wolverhampton (1st Tuesdays Newcastle (2nd Tuesday), Stafford (3rd Tuesday) and Stone(4th Tuesday) every month from September to March excluding the Stone heat in December. Qualification for the Final is based on the best five results of registered pairs. 14 pairs will play in the Final on April 23rd, 1972. Entry fee: 30p. per pair.

STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS-OF-FOUR. (STAFFORDSHIRE CUP)
Holders : Messrs. Slyde, Tottenham, Monckton, Smith, Bieganski & Steel.
A knockout Teams-of-four contest (with 2 reserves if desired). No player can be nominated for more than one team. Preliminary rounds of 32 boards and the final of 48 boards. The winners represent the County in the Pachabo Cup. The draw will take place after the Coronation Cup on October 24th and the draw and the dates by which heats are to be completed will be posted on Club notice boards. Entry fee: £2. per team to be paid by captain at time of entry.

STAFFORDSHIRE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP ((LITTLEFORD CUP)
Holders : R. Beech & P. Scull who tied for 1st place.
Dates for qualifying heats to be fixed by Clubs not later than 3 weeks before the Final on March 19th. Entry fee: 15p per player.

CHAMPIONSHIP MENS PAIRS (STAFFS MUGS).
Holders : A Codling & J. Seymour.

CHAMPIONSHIP LADIES PAIRS (HALLETT BAILEY)
Holders : Mrs Hanley and Mrs Charlish.
Qualifying heats will be held at Clubs and the Finals of both events will be held on December 5th at Wolverhampton. Entry fee: 30p per pair.

STAFFORDSHIRE MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Holders : Mr & Mrs K.C. Slyde.
Qualifying Heats will be played at local Clubs and the Final on February 6th, 1972. Entry fee: 30p per pair.

STAFFORDSHIRE FLITCH.
A new event for married couples. It will be a one session event with good prizes but no trophy as yet. Entry fee: 50p per couple.

CORONATION CUP (INVITATION TEAMS OF FOUR)
Holders ; Warwickshire. (M.Airey, D.N.Collins, Dr & Mrs.Best)
Teams from seven Midland Counties have been invited to play so the number of Staffordshire teams will be limited. If necessary, an eliminating heat will be held at the Newcastle Bridge Club on September 16th. Entry fee per team : £3. Pattingham Village Hall on October 24th at 2.30 p.m.

STAFFORDSHIRE TEAMS OF FOUR LEAGUE.
Winners : Black Section. A. Mallett, C.E.Robinson, Mr & Mrs. Topley. White Section: G. Salwey, I. Ferguson, J.Day and R. Speedman.
This event got off to a good start last season and it is hoped that there will be enough new teams to start a third section. Team entries to your Club representative before September 12th. Watch your notice board for date of first match. There is as yet no trophy for this popular event. The Management Committee has decided that there should be one and that it should be called the "Eric Jamieson Trophy" to commemorate Eric Jamieson whose untimely death deprived Staffordshire of one of the most brilliant and likeable players ever to play for and in the county. County members and club members will be given the opportunity to contribute to the trophy and it is hoped that friends of Eric Jamieson will appreciate this opportunity of remembering him. Mr Charlish (Wolverhampton), Mr Dash (Stafford) and Mr Dumbleton ( Newcastle and Stone) will be responsible for receiving contributions for which the Committee considers there should be a maximum of £2 per person (or married couple).