The Season 1968/69 is now almost over, with all County events having been decided and only three Dawes matches to play. It was not particularly successful season, except for individuals, as Staffordshire's performance in inter-county matches has been only average and the various

County events attracted only moderate entries. With duplicate bridge becoming more and more popular throughout the country and the world, Staffordshire remains like the Sleeping Beauty - we still await our Prince Charming to bring us the kiss of life.

It is encouraging that many more young players are joining in at the affiliated clubs and many of them are extremely keen. We all hope that they will take part in increasing numbers in our County competitions and there will be no lack of opportunity for them to play in the highest class through representing their County initially in the second team and ultimately in the first - just as soon as they attain the right standard of play.

All County members regret that our Secretary, Pam Lloyd, has had to resign office for family reasons. We are extremely lucky to have a willing voluntary replacement in John Day whose enthusiasm and efficiency are already being felt to the County's great benefit.

Once again, at the outset of a new season the Management Committee asks all County members to play in the County events. In particular we would like to see a much bigger entry for the Staffordshire Cup, the winners of which represent the County in the Pachabo Bowl at the end of the season. It would also be encouraging if a lot more men's pairs would enter for the Staffordshire Mugs, which got of to a disappointing start after Mr G. Hammersly so generously presented the tankards last year for this new all-male event.

Annual General Meeting

The number attending at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel at Stafford was rather less than usual, mainly because it was held on the Friday before the May Bank Holiday. Next year the AGM will be held a week earlier to avoid this clash. Mrs D. Bigham is our new Chairman and Dr Charles Franklin, on relinquishing the Chairmanship, has kindly taken on the job of match point secretary from Mr Ken Slyde. As usual, the main topic of discussion was the form of the Bearn Trophy Competition. It was decided that last year's idea of reducing the number of qualifying sessions had not worked out well in practice. Accordingly, in the new season the results of at least 5 sessions will be required to constitute a qualifying score. As the Stafford Club may not be able to use the Swan Hotel next season, it will be unable to run Stafford heats, at during the early part of the season. The venue will, therefore, be transferred to Newcastle for the second Tuesday in each month. Stone will continue to run the heats which take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month. If any other affiliated club wishes to run heats for the Bearn Trophy it may do so and this would be very welcome. Should the number of registered Bearn pairs be sufficient to justify it, a special handicap will be run during the second half of the season in conjunction with the Bearn Trophy. The exact form of handicap will be settled, when it is known how many pairs are involved.

Coronation Cup

Last year it was not possible to present the Coronation Cup because it had been lost by the winners of the year before. Having collected the insurance money, and contributed a further sum from the County kitty, we now have a handsome new trophy, which will be competed for the first time at Pattingham on October 26th. The County representatives at each affiliated club will be asking for entries. This year we aim at having 17 teams of four, including those invited from neighbouring counties. Last year was the first time the event had been held at Pattingham and it was a great success, the village hall being very well equipped and affording plenty of room - Jean Charlish has kindly offered to organise the refreshments again this year.

Duplicate Boards

At a recent meeting of the E.B.U. it was decided that the "Dealers" and "Vulnerabilities" indicated on duplicate boards should conform in England to those generally adopted elsewhere in the world. The change will come into force on August 1st, 1970. Stick-on labels will be prepared, so that existing boards may be converted, but in the meantime clubs purchasing new boards should be aware of the impending change.

Dawes Matches

Since the March Bulletin County matches have been played against Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. Against Leicestershire, both first and second teems recorded good wins but both our teams received a severe walloping from Warwickshire. They paid us the tribute of fielding their two strongest teams - nowadays that means that well known pairs of high calibre only just make the Warwickshire 2nd.

The 1st team match against Nottinghamshire fluctuated violently. We were in arrears over the first 8 boards but built up substantial lead after 16 and 24 boards. The last 8 boards contained a number of potential swings. A typical decision to be made was on the following hand
♠ Axx
♥ AJ10xx
♦ KQx
♣ Jx
At our table I opened 1 Heart on the above hand and after a pass on his right my partner, Michael Airey, bid 5 no trumps (Culbertson). When my right hand opponent passed, I knew that the Grand Slam in Hearts depended only on finesse in trumps for success and that our opponents would be pressing for points and might well bid the grand slam - what to do? I was chicken-hearted and settled for 6 Hearts.

At other tables the bidding took a different course, as opponents bid Spades to a high level (in one case one of the pairs went right up to 6 Spades and forced the opposition into the grand slam). Needless to say the finesse was on and Nottinghamshire bid the grand slam at both tables taking advantage of all the swings (while Staffs stuck to the roundabouts). In the end Notts won 2½ - ½, but our second team again prevailed, this time by 2 - 1.

Future Programme

The programme for 1969/70 is being sent with this Bulletin. An attempt has been made to include those dates which are likely to be of most interest to Staffordshire players, while keeping the list reasonably short. Apologies if I have omitted your favourite congress and included those you would not dream of attending. Last years entry forms were sent with the programme, but so few were completed and returned to the Secretary that it has been decided to abandon that experiment. The County representatives, (K. Slyde, G. Salway, T. Young and J. Eddy) will ensure that club members are given proper notice of coming events and will be responsible for collecting entry fees.

Edited by F.W. Edwards.

STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

Program for 1969 - 1970