New year starts well for Oban Bridge Club

OBAN Bridge Club enjoyed a night out on Wednesday December 13 at the Olive Garden in Oban, with more than 40 members enjoying festive fare followed by a fun bridge evening.

The new year has started well with the Oban club managing to hold club nights and competitions despite some bad weather, with only the occasional meeting disrupted.

A beginners’ class continues on Tuesday evenings under the skillful tutoring of David Marshall and Catherine MacGregor.

Sessions in Dalmally continue and good progress is being made under the advice and guidance of John Raymond and Nina Graham.

Recent results: Children in Need, November 13: 1 North-South Pam McGuire and Sue Pollard 62.08 per cent. 1 East-West Nina Graham and John Raymond 66.25 per cent. The evening raised £140 for Children in Need.

Bill Campbell Trophy, November 22: 1 Pam McGuire and David Watkins 69.34 per cent; 2 Brian Rattray and Gordon Brechin 65.77 per cent; 3 David Pollard and Jack Suchodolski 58.63 per cent.

Norvite Simultaneous Pairs, January 17: Congratulations to Wilma Frew and Allistair Duff who came eighth (North-South) overall with 2,500 points and Neil Fraser and Alison Dunn who came 10th (East -West) overall with 500 points and second on the selected board (EW) winning £25.

Congratulations also to David Pender and Allistair Duff who finished third out of 724 pairs playing in the British Winter Pairs on January 10. A great result for them and the Oban club.

Bobby Allan Trophy, January 25: 1 North-South, David Marshall and Catherine MacGregor 58.33 per cent; 1 East-West, Nina Graham and John Raymond 62.5 per cent.

Eight members from the Oban club attended the Firth of Clyde Congress at Irvine, January 26-28, with impressive results. Alison Dunn, Joey Duncan, Jack Suchodolski and David Pollard won the teams of four final and Catherine MacGregor and David Marshall were second in the pairs final. Catherine and David, with Margo McIntyre and Sandy Murray, also won the team second consolation final.

West District Simultaneous Pairs round two, February 8: With a good showing from the Lochgilphead visitors, Elma Wilson and Willie Smith came first North-South, 57.14 per cent, and Libby Mochrie and Campbell Young second East-West, 57.14 per cent, with Alison Dunn and Neil Fraser, Oban, heading the East-West teams with 63.99 per cent.

Upcoming events: Charity Challenge, Thursday March 8; Easter Pairs Wednesday March 14; West District Pairs round three, Monday March 26.

All Oban matches are held in St Columba’s Cathedral Hall, 7pm, unless otherwise stated.