Setting the Gold standard

Our President setting the standard at the Gold Coast Congress Our new president Margie Robbie and her partner Jenni Boren played consistent, inspired bridge to sit at the top of the Restricted Swiss Pairs at the Gold Coast Congress. They played well throughout the two days but unfortunately slipped slightly in the last match. “Oh so close” is all that …

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Mini Moos Fundraiser

Calling all Novice Players!! If you learned to play Bridge in 2016 or later, you are eligible to play in this Novice Tournament in Cambridge – the Mini Moos Fundraiser on Sunday 3 March 2019. You are also eligible if you learned to play in 2015 or earlier and do not hold a Certificate of Proficiency. See flyer here

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Tournament successes

Paul Rogers and Liz Wilcox were 5th in the Te Awamutu Christmas Tournament on Saturday 17 November. They were 1st N/S in the morning and 3rd N/S in the afternoon with very consistent scores in the mid 50s. Liz and Paul were also the top Intermediate/Open pair overall. Leonie Pritchard and Mark Bendall (pictured right) finished among the prizewinners in …

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Rotorua players at Congress 2018

The annual Bridge Congress in Hamilton took place last week, and although there were not a lot of Rotorua players taking part, those that were there had some notable success. Marie Milsum teamed up with her former long-time partner at Rotorua, Alison Beer, and they showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with, winning the Open Swiss Pairs.

Alison and Marie, winners of the Open Swiss pairs.


Pam and Ian Moore had a very successful Congress, being runners-up in the Senior Teams, and coming fourth in the Senior Pairs. They also won a special award as they for best team on Day One that did not qualify for the final of the Open teams. And Liz and Michael Wilcox were fourth from a large field in the Open Restricted Pairs. Well done to all who played in the Congress.

Ian and Pam Moore, along with team members Noel Woodhall and Ian Clayton, and Allan Morris chairman of NZ Bridge second from left, receiving their prize for being the top team on Day One of NZ Open teams who did not qualify for Round of 16. They were 3rd overall on Day One.

Ib Thulin 2018

A very enjoyable day was had by all on Sunday, playing in the Ib Thulin Rotorua handicap tournament, for club members only. The event was won comfortably by our UK imports Chris and Angela Overton, with Neil and Mary Dravitski winning the raw competition. Neil and Mary were second on handicap with Margie Robbie and Marie Milsum coming third. Well done to all placegetters! A huge thanks to James Twist from Craig Investment Partners for their ongoing sponsorship.

winners ib thulin

Winners Chris and Angela Overton with James Twist from Craigs Investment Partners.

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 …

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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.

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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