Congratulations to Ruth Lewis, who has very deservedly been named as NZ Bridge’s Volunteer of the Month for August 2018.
Ruth has been a member of the Rotorua Bridge Club for well over thirty years. During that time she was on the committee for nearly thirty years including two terms as President, has directed Wednesday night bridge and took the beginners’ lessons for ten years.
Ruth is probably best known throughout the North Island as the organiser of Rotorua Bridge Club’s Christmas tournament which had been extraordinarily popular for seventeen years. With her band of elves, they create a Christmas extravaganza which includes the finest Christmas quilts, glorious decorations, a delicious Christmas dinner and generous prizes. There is often a waiting list to fill the 39 tables available for players of all grades.
However, her quiet commitment to dealing boards for all the events at the club is remarkable. Week in week out, for approximately 14 years the boards are ready for each session regardless of whether Ruth is away on holiday or has family commitments.
It is people like Ruth Lewis who ensure a club functions well and has events of which we can be proud, so it is great that the club can show her some recognition in this way.
Interclub Teams 2018
The BOP Interclub teams, played for the Ib Thulin Shield, took place on Saturday at Rotorua, and was a very enjoyable day. Six clubs from the Bay of Plenty took part – Rotorua, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Whakatane, Te Puke and Taupō, each with teams of Open, Intermediate and Junior players, thus giving players of varying experience the chance to represent …
Rotorua Players star at Mini Moos
Sixteen keen novice players from Rotorua took part in the first Mini Moos session in Morrinsville on Sunday July 1st. Players from our club showed their skill with Carola Gohring 1st, Mareli Esterhuysen 2nd, Sharon Wilkinson 5th and Douglas Paterson 6th.
Rotorua 5A Open Pairs 23rd June 2018
Rotorua players showed a lot of flair in our recent Open Pairs although unfortunately the top prize eluded the local pairs. Wendy Blackman & Elspeth Goodrick won a session prize, as did Tom Henwood & Tom Winiata and Pam & Ian Moore. The top local pair were Pam & Ian Moore who were 3rd overall and won the Marg Angus …
Remember your GPS if you want to win at Bridge
Two keen Rotorua pairs headed to Te Awamutu Bridge Club on Saturday to play in their restricted tournament. Unfortunately, Neil and Mary took a wrong turning on the way over and arrived late.Then Colleen and Heini got lost on the way home adding an hour to their trip in the storm. In typical, positive Colleen style-she said she enjoyed the …
Big win for Mary Dravitzki in Wellington
Mary’s win in the Intermediate Teams in the Wellington Congress was made all the sweeter because she was not selected for the family team to play in it (Neil just made the cut with the lowest rating points in team), so she asked the organisers to pair her up to play in the intermediate section and they found a very compatible partner.
The flash family team started both competitions well but faded and finished in the top third but no prizes.
However Mary was made captain of her team and even though they had not met each other before they were leading narrowly going into the last round – four teams within four victory points.
Daughter Pam gave her the mantra ABCD (Alert, Bold, Confident & Disciplined) and she made a big contribution to their ultimate win with hand seven (see below).
She decided to upgrade her twenty one count from a natural two no trump to a game forcing two club. A three diamond response from partner showing seven plus points and five diamonds – then four clubs – one ace – five clubs – one king and (every imp counts) – six no trumps. On the lead of the ten of diamonds twelve tricks were cold after forcing out the ace of spades. Of the ten tables – only one other in six no trumps and one in six diamonds – the other seven including the other pair just in game so a 13 imp pick up and they won by just three imps.
Defence Lessons –a great chance to improve your game!
May 15th and 29th 7.00-8.30pm The defensive play is probably the part of bridge that requires the most skill and yet we often focus on bidding and play-complaining when we don’t get points in a session. At both sessions you will discover two new skills to help your defence and you will play several relevant boards to help put them …
Hamilton Restricted Tournament
On Sunday 15th April Hamilton Bridge Club held a successful mixed grade tournament with 50 pairs. The food was stunning and the prizes very generous. Ian Moore and his partner were second overall and Pam Moore and Margie Robbie 6th overall. Congratulations also to Paul Rogers and Jackie Pulman who were second in the Int/Jun.
2018 Bridge Lessons
Beginners’ bridge lessons are coming up soon. Have you spoken with all those acquaintances and friends who have expressed an interest? Start your arm-twisting now! The lessons start Wednesday 2 May 7 – 9pm. $60 for ten lessons (and continuing play for 2018), $100 for 2 people. Email rotoruacontractbridgeclub@xtra.co.nz or phone Gill 07 346 2911 or Roger 07 348 5995 …
Kelly Peirse Teams
The Kelly Peirse Tournament held on Saturday 17 March was a great success. There was a full house for the event and it attracted a very strong field, with players travelling from all over the North Island to take part. The overall winners were the team from Auckland comprising Michael Ware, Matt Brown, Jeter Liu and George Sun. In second …
Rubber bridge competition
Each year the Dan Gifford Rubber Bridge competition is played at National Congress and pairs from all regions participate. The Waikato-Bays has had some very good partnerships in the past who have given the other regional pairs a good run for their money, including Christine and Jenna Gibbons who won the national title in 2012. Last year there was an …
Have fun with the TWITS
The TWITS – or The Waikato Inter-Club Teams – is being held over six sessions, once a month, on Friday evenings The first session is on Friday, March 23rd, 2018 7 pm start, finish by 10 pm. Venue: Hamilton Bridge Club There are 3 Grades: Oscar – Open; Indies – Intermediate; Junior. Lavish supper with a glass of wine. $5.00 …
Tournaments 17 and 18 March
The long-range weather forecast isn’t great, so why not make it a double-header weekend! The KELLY PEIRSE MEMORIAL TEAMS 10A OPEN Saturday, 17th March 2018, at ROTORUA 9 a.m Morning tea/coffee. 9.30am Start Entry fee $30.00 Includes Morning tea/ coffee; lunch and afternoon tea and crackers. This is a popular event and is rapidly filling up, there are only spaces …
Intermediate Championship League 2018
Calling all WAIKATO-BAYS INTERMEDIATES and JUNIORS – Te Puke is hosting the first event of the of the INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE 2018 on Saturday 24 February. This event is open to all Waikato-Bays players who are not OPEN standard. The competition is based on collecting points in each of the nine League tournaments which are played at venues throughout W/Bays …
Tauranga Congress Results
The Tauranga Bridge Congress was played over the weekend of 28-30 January and Tom Winiata and Tom Henwood’s team qualified for the final of the teams event where they finished second. Pam and Ian Moore’s team qualified for the plate final where they too finished second. These were good results in a very strong field from all around NZ.