With Jack Stocken

Sheffield’s Sandy Davies and Tom Gisborne have won the prestigious Premier Grand Masters Pairs. Bradford’s Daniel Winter was part of the England Under 21 team that won the Peggy Bayer trophy, reclaiming it from Ireland.

Today’s hand was emailed to me by a reader. South does best to show the four card club suit rather than repeat the poor 6 card diamond suit. This is normally the case – better to show nine of your cards, rather than just six.

North’s 4♣ bid was forcing to game as she had bypassed 3NT and 4♥ was a cue bid showing first or second round control of the suit. This is the Italian style and is highly recommended.

There was no point in North using Blackwood with a void and 6♣ seemed like a good bet.

Against 6♣ West led the Ace of diamonds which declarer ruffed with the ♣10 in dummy and played a small spade to the Ace in hand, noting West’s play of the Jack. Declarer drew two rounds of trumps ending in dummy with the Ace of clubs.

Next came the King of spades, followed by the Ten of spades which East played low on, declarer discarding a diamond. Declarer played the nine of spades, covered by East’s Queen and ruffed by declarer with the eight of clubs.

Declarer played the King of Hearts then went to dummy with the Ace of hearts next playing the winning eight of spades, East following. Declarer played the four of spades, East ruffed in with the nine of clubs and declarer over-ruffed with the King of clubs. Declarer ruffed a diamond with his last trump in dummy and just gave up a heart.

Twelve tricks and 6♣ made.

Diary Date: The popular bridge teaching days return after Easter at The Crown Inn at Roecliffe and the Durham Ox at Crayke, Easingwold, with a delicious two-course lunch included in the price. Full details www.yorkshirebridge.co.uk.