NEWS FROM THE BRIDGE CLUBS myles.buchanan@peoplenews.ie Grand Slam Royal Diamond 002 Neptune Abbey

It was a busy week of Bridge in the Club with good numbers throughout the week. The results were as follows: Monday, February 24 first overall Michael and Nell O’Gorman, second Jack McElhinney and Margaret Nevin, third Berni Hamilton and Ann McCoy.

Wednesday, February 26; both rooms played together. At the beginning of the night Phyllis provided her monthly lesson which was appreciated by members and partners were determined to put the information provided to good use on the night.

The overall results were first Deborah Shipperlee and Dorothy Levingstone, second Norma Sommers and Marion O’Shaughnessy, third Pauline Earls and Marion Byrne. Thursday, February 20 is for beginners and improvers. First North/South Gerard McHugh and Sylvia Ruault, second Phillip Sheeran Purcell and Joe Heaslip. First East/ West Therese porter and Mary Stapleton, second Gina and Jim O’sullivan. Friday morning first Margaret Kelly and Rose Butler, second Leonard Murphy and Edward Kilcoyne, third Fay Hipwell and Patricia Smith. ♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦♣♥♠♦ At least the computer scoring tablets did operate this week and produced the results at the end of the evening at the press of a button. The winners on last Wednesday evening were Catherine King and Eithne Smith who were followed by Ann McCarthy and Billy Dunne in second place. The hand this week were varied and interesting making it challenging for players to bid and make the required number of tricks in many of the deals. In third place were Pam McDonough and Larry Ryan. There were eight small slams bid and made which is an unusual number of hands with high number of points to bid to make twelve out of the thirteen tricks maximum. The tuition hour from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. continues to attract people who want to learn or improve their skill. Its free and open to anyone without the need to book or have a partner. The Dominican Ecology Centre premises is a great facility with good lighting and comfortable chairs. A friendly warm welcome awaits.

Judy Skates and Maria Magee took first place for North/South on Monday. Second were Monica Brady and Phil Power, third Catherine Halligan and Bridie Nolan and fourth Catherine McGillycuddy and Nancy O’Brien. First East/West were Brid Clancy and Gertie Fee, second Paddy O’Brien and Seamus Kennedy, third Clare Sally and Pamela Byrne and fourth Teresa Leahy and Marion Davies.

Molly Byrne and Rachel Judd were the victors for North/South on Friday. In second were Maura Gaskin and Bridie Nolan, in third Catherine McGillycuddy and Nancy O’Brien and in fourth Judy Skates and Maria Magee. First for East/West were Kitty Heslin and Jim McNamara, second Kay Plunkett and John Loscher, third Liz Belton and Phil Kenna and fourth Gertie Fee and Jane Cronin. All members please note there will be no bridge on Friday, March due to Confirmation in Roundwood.

Results from draw for partners night were North South first President Ann Looby and Helen Gorman, second Mary Flynn and Maria Kerr, third Phyl Lalor and Margaret Redmond. East West winners Stasia Hagan and Angela Nolan, second Rose Behan and Michael O’Gorman, third Anthea Goodbody and Pat Kerr.

Monday results: first Clare Pippet and Keith Clarke, second Stasia Hagan and Joan Madden, third Mary Flynn and Bernadette Rountree.