On Thursday 25th July we saw our newcomers and experienced players joining together to compete for the clubs oldest trophy, the 'Wild Trophy'

This is a team event were the last few years we have seen the 'top and most experienced pairs' seeded and then a random draw is made from the newcomers/less experienced pairs to be their teammates - this year as a trail there was a slightly different seeding and draw format.

Congratulations to the wiining team of Margaret Belcher/Jill Jenner & Judy Ryding/Trevor Johnson, Runners up spot went to Joyce Cartwright/Angela Leyland & Kath Yates/Jean Rosser and third place went to Mike Shinn/Dave Metcalf & Judith Peace/Betty Purcell

Thank you to all those who eneterd the competition and also a special mention should go to Paul Mercer who offered to be the non-playing scorer and director for this event and who carried these duties in a competent and efficient manner.

Congratulatios to Kath Yates/Mike Nicholson who are once again this years winners of the mixed pairs trophy. Registering a score of  65.20% they just edged out Jean Rosser/John Gooch into the runners up spot who registered a score of 62.50%. Third place went to Judith Peace/Trevor Johnson who registerd a score of 61.38%. Thank you to all the participants who turned up and supported this event.

The aim of this event was to allow players from different sessions to meet and get to know each other in a relaxed and friendly setting. There was tea and coffee as well as lots of delicious strawberry cakes, scones and tarts provided by Judy and Win. There was also a raffle and many prizes to be won. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

Our less experieced players progressing from the Assisted Play sessions are continuing to feature well in this seasons Major Club Trophy Events. This time it was the turn of Ray Mann partnering Clive Wood. They teamed up with Sandra Gray/Gilbert Pierce to win this years Wigan and District Teams Trophy. Only 1VP behind in the runners up spot was another team made of 3 players who have progressed from the assisted play sessions; Judith Ryding/Pat Holleron and Trevor Johnson who partnered Judith Peace. Thank you to all the memers who participated on the night.

We are holding a STRAWBERRY DELIGHT BRIDGE DRIVE on Sunday afternoon July 7th from 1.30 till 4.30. It will be a relaxing friendly afternoon of bridge with prizes and a free raffle. Admission is by ticket only, price £5, which includes refreshments of tea and cakes. All proceeds are for bridge club funds. Parking is free on Sundays. Tickets are available from Judith Ryding, Judith Peace and Margaret Wilkinson. No partner is needed as there is a standby. Do come along and support us and enjoy the afternoon.

The secetary queried the method used to score the tie-split of the Ladies Pairs event as there were two winning pairs. Clive then consulted the E.B.U. white book and using their criteria the new winners are Judy Ryding and Pat Holleron. Apologies to those concerned.

Congratulations to Dave Metcalf and Des King who are this years winners of the mens pairs registering a score of 59.38%; runners up spot went to John Gooch and Gilbert Pierce on 58.33%; with Ray Emmanuel and Allan Jolleys in 3rd place with a score of 55.21%.

It was a close run thing in the end with the outcome coming down to the final board of the session whereby Dave and Des lying in 2nd place needed an outright top against opponents John and Gilbert who needed to collect just 1MP to claim the trophy.

John sitting North opened a routine 1NT (12-14), Des sitting East overcalled a natural 2♣  and Gilbert sitting South now bid 2♦ which became the final contract. An excellent defensive display by Dave on this board ensured that no overtricks were allowed to sneak through and although 2♦ made for +90 to N/S the other scores revealed 1NT made with an overtrick and +120 to NS and the other result on the board saw EW competing to 3♣ for 1 down vulnerable and a score of -100. So a top on this board to the eventual winners was just enough to see them steal first place.

What is even more remarkable is that Dave had only just completed the lessons last year and this was his debut trophy event. A player to watch out for in the future!!

Thank you to all the particpants who eneterd and a full set of results can be seen on the club website

The Monday Afternoon Tea/Cake and Bridge went down well with 4 tables of players and almost £200 raised including the Easter Raffle. Although it was intended as a fun day, there is a result listed which can be found on the website.

Many thanks to Di and Des Seabrook who donated the sandwiches and everybody agreed that it was a great success and look forward to the next one.

A list of prize draw winners is listed on the downstairs notice board.

Two pairs had the same percentage score of 60.42 %. These were Judith Ryding and Pat Holleron, and Jean Rosser and Sandra Gray. The prize money will be split between these two pairs but only one pair can win the cup. After consultation with Michael Nicholson and applying the criteria for a tie split the winners of the Ladies pairs cup for 2019 are Jean Rosser and Sandra Gray. Congratulations to both pairs for an excellent score and thank you to all who took part. 

The club is organising a Bridge with Tea and Cakes on Monday 15th April starting at 1pm.

This intention is to have a casual and fun afternoon of bridge with a break at some stage during the session to sample the delights of homemade cake with tea/coffee.

If that sounds good to you then contact Di Seabrook for more details or better still just turn up on the day to quench your thirst, feed your sweet tooth and exercise your brain.

Cost £5.00

Last weekend nine members of Wigan Bridge Club joined an event organised by Bolton at the Merrion hotel Llandudno. There were twelve and a half tables and everyone was very friendly. Our members won two prizes, one for an evening session, won by Margaret Wilkinson and Joan Prescot and one at a morning session, won by Paul Mercer.The hotel was very good , as was the food and the weather was excellent too. I feel sure we will return next year. Thanks to Sue Pickford from Bolton for organising it so effieiently. Also the previous week Jean Rosser and Kath Yates went to St. Annes and won there so the reputation of Wigan Bridge Club has been upheld.

Last night we held the Presidents Cup Duplicate Pairs Competition. There were five full tables. The pair with the highest score was Michael Nicholson and Paul Williams with 62.50%. Unfortunately as Paul is not a member this pair is not eligible to win the trophy and so this goes to the second highest scoring pair Kath Yates and Jean Rosser with 58.50%. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who attended. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Unfortunately the Wigan and District Teams event which was due to be held on 29th January had to be cancelled due to illness. Hopefully this event will be rearranged. We are sorry for any inconveniece.

The first Trophy Event of the Season will be held on Tuesday 20th November starting at 7.30pm. For those pairs wishing to enter can you please put the name of you and your partner on the form on the notice board located at the bottom of the stairs. The session is open to all non-members and members alike however the Trophy will be awraded to the highest placed Wigan BC pair

Congratulations to Wigan members Mike Nicholson & Des King who partnered up with teammates Stu Norris and Rod Greenhalgh to win this years Lancashire Congress Green Pointed Teams Event. The field of 14 teams saw players travelling from other counties throughout the North West  including several international and professional bridge players. After winning their first match by 18-2 VP's, the team led from start to finish in their 7 matches to amass a massive 100 VP's (over 70% of the total) to end up 15 VP's ahead of the field. So as comfortable winners in the end, the cross imps table also revealed that Mike and Des ended on top quite a way in front of the rest of the other competing pairs. Mike has won this event previously back in 2002 and for Des it is his 3rd win in the last 10 years. For full details and results of the competition follow this link to the Lancashire County Bridge Website.https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwom/bw.cgi?pid=display_rank&event=20181028_1&club=lancs

 Wigan Bridge Club Lessons have now started so what are you waiting for - come along and have go.

Once again the lessons have been formatted so that each lesson is an individual lesson on a particular bridge theme(s). So if you already play bridge but want to improve a certain aspect of your game then just turn up on the night and we will help you.

For more details just follow this link to our bridge lessons page......https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwom/bw.cgi?club=wigan&pid=display_page30&sessid=504785354457729

Congratulations to Wigan members Mike Nicholson and Des King who were part of the team to win this years Fylde League Team KO trophy the Wainwright Cup. In the photograph we see Mike and Des with their teammates from left to right: Alan Whittam; Jeff Smith; Paul Evans; John Morrell; Mike Nicholson; Stuart Challinor; Des King; Tony Wilkinson (also played in earleir rounds Angus Kirby and Brian Dormand). In the final they eventually ended up convincing winners by beating a team from the Brierfiled Club in Burnley.