SCCBA Green-Pointed Swiss Pairs
Patcham Community Centre
Sunday July 26th at 11am

As always with Swiss Pairs, you will play against players on similar scores so all types of players are welcome and can flourish in a friendly atmosphere . In this event, the master-point premium is increased and green points are won for every match won or drawn as well as ranking points to a portion of the field.  There will be seven matches of seven boards each for you to outplay your opponents.

It would be great to see you there!   The entry fee is £20 per player.  See how to enter.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout and you can order sandwiches in advance or bring your own food.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me or ring me on 07515 333539.

Peter Clinch
(Competition Organiser)

SCCBA Youth Bridge Festival

2026 Spring Congress 

At the Sussex Spring Congress on May 30th/31st, the heat was fierce and the competition was strong.  The winners of the Swiss Pairs were Paul King and Colin Holehouse of Hertfordshire who ended twelve points clear of the top Sussex pair, David W Green and John Hazard.  The top 10-high pair was Lawrence Goldberg and Clive Hardebeck.  The bidding competition was won by Gary Hyett; the highest non-expert was Dev Jaffe.

The teams trophy was retained by Matt Smith, Giles Faulkner, David Benjamin and Matt Read, who held off Andy Briggs, Milli Fawssett, John Williams and Dudley Edwards.  Congratulations to all the winners!

Many thanks to Stephen Kennedy for directing on a weekend that produced quite a few scoring anomalies and to Charlotte Setahul for producing a delicious lunch despite the heat.  Also thanks to Martin Pool for dealing the hands and to John Hardy and Mervyn Wotton for managing the entries.

Sussex League 2025/26

The Sussex League competition is now complete for another season.  25 teams have participated this season in 4 Divisions and congratulations are due to the winning teams in each Division, captained by Julian Mitchell, Alan Gillespie, Thea Sydenham, and Mark Elliott.  This popular competition will start again in September, running through the autumn and winter months, and entries for the new season will be invited in early August.  New teams, of whatever level of experience and ability, are always welcome to join the competition, please contact the organiser, David Galpin, if you would like more information.

Norman Hardy

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Norman Hardy passed away on 27th April.  Norman was a great supporter of Sussex bridge and was Chairman of the Tournament Committee from 2006 until 2011, a very successful period for competitions and tournaments in Sussex.  Norman had the foresight to support many competitions for newcomers and novices, opening up Sussex bridge to many less experienced players.  He was also a qualified county tournament director for numerous Sussex competitions. 

Norman loved to play bridge, especially at West Sussex Bridge Club, of which he was a founding member.  He was a kind and affable presence at the bridge table and often played a system called Blue Club, developed and played by the famous Italian Blue Team in the 1960s with which he had some success.  He played with many partners and teams over the decades including Heather Barker, Tim Greenhill, Joy Mayall and Carol Watson.  Norman’s contribution to the SCCBA was extensive and transformative.  He was held in great affection and will be missed by many, especially by those of us who counted him as a friend.  His family are in our thoughts.

Norman's funeral took place on Wednesday 3rd June at All Saints Church, High Street, Lindfield RH16 2HS.  For details of donations to the Salvation Army and the National Trust, please see Masters & Son.

Sally Bugden
Chair

Other County News