The Bermuda Bridge Club will hold a thank-you party next week for Rachael and Teddy Gosling, for all they have done for the club over the years and for getting the Bermuda Regional back up and running in 2024. The drinks and snacks will take place after the afternoon game on Friday, March 6.

They will both be missed as they hit the road — Rachael is the bridge player in the family and as she leaves the island, the club will be losing one of the finest players currently playing the game.

Rachael has had great success at the club and regional level, and has represented Bermuda internationally many times over the last decade.

I think I remember Rachael when she first started playing at the club, and to say her rise in the rankings has been meteoric may be an understatement.

She is a fine card player with great judgment and presence at the table and, more than most, has the ability to cope with complicated bridge systems, which has stood her in good stead at the highest level.

What I also see very much in Rachael is a fierce desire to keep improving, and when you get an already good player with that quality, the sky’s the limit.

Rachael has also left her mark on the Bermuda bridge scene by, against the odds, being the driving force in bringing the Bermuda Regional back to the Island in 2024 after a long absence which started in the Covid years.

The third event since its return has just concluded in early February, and the groundwork has clearly been laid for the Regional to reclaim its former glory when it attracted 500 to 600 players here each year.

Away from the bridge table both Rachael and Teddy will be missed for the people they are — refined, courteous, bright and fun, and a real asset to the club.

I asked Rachael about the support she received as she climbed up the Bridge Club ladder. Her answer was: “I would like to thank Robert Todd, teacher and bridge pro, who was extremely helpful to me in developing my skills at the table — Robert was also there with great advice when trying to get the 2024 Regional up and running and of course all those who jumped into the fray with me.

“Lorna Anderson, Gertie Barker, Sharon Shanahan, Lisa Rhind, Tracy Nash, Steve Cosham, Judy Bussell, John Glynn, Judy King, Stephanie Kyme and of course, yourself. They all made our bridge journey so much fun.”

I then asked Rachael if she could think of a favourite hand. She was ready (see Figure 1)!

“I love this one, which I played at the Club sometime in late 2024 with Delton Outerbridge as my partner.  I held the South hand.

“The spade King was led, I ruffed, drew trump and gave up an H and 6DX rolled home.  An untouchable 10 HCP slam!  What I love best about this hand is that I think it shows such a great analysis of the game and of his hand, by Delton — a relatively junior player at the time, who, I believe, will represent Bermuda superbly in the future.

“What’s even more interesting about this hand is that it is actually a five-point slam as the club King and heart Jack are of no value!

“Quite a swingy auction but at times you have to back your judgment and have some fun — Delton did that and came up smelling of roses!

“We look forward to a good turnout on Friday afternoon!”

• David Ezekiel can be reached at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Thursday, February 19

1 Charles Hall/Stephanie Kyme

2= Elizabeth McKee/Margaret Way

2= Gertrude Barker/John F W Glynn

Friday, February 20

Section 1

North/South

1 Louise Rodger/Magda Farag

2 Gertrude Barker/Sharon Shanahan

3 Betsy Baillie/Lisa Ferrari

East/West

1 Diana Diel/Stephanie Kyme

2 John Burville/Molly Taussig

3 Kathleen Keane/Carol Jones

Section 2

North/South

1 Felicity Davidson/Debbie Butterfield

2 Dorea Grant/Christine Doughty

East/West

1 Gretchen Dill/Diana Hinders

2 Richard Neame/Kalreta Conyers-Steede

Monday, February 23

North/South

1 William Pollett/Linda Pollett

2 Jack Rhind/Charles Hall

3 Tracey Pitt/Kim Simmons

East/West

1 Sancia Garrison/Jane Smith

2 Patricia Siddle/Diana Diel

3 Peter Donnellan/Lynanne Bolton

Tuesday, February 24

North/South

1 Tracey Pitt/David Leach

2 Jamie Sapsford/Jane Downing

East/West

1 Tim McKittrick/Keri McKittrick

2 Julia Tadman/Joshimer Hussey

Wednesday, February 25

1 Gertrude Barker/Jane Smith

2 Sheena Rayner/Magda Farag

3 Judith Bussell/Richard Hall

Thursday, February 26

1 Miordrag Novakovic/Margaret Way

2 John F W Glynn/Rachael Gosling

3 Gertruda Barker/Magda Farag