The Bermuda Sectional Tournament took place at Bermuda Bridge Club over five days spanning last weekend and was a great success in terms of table count and support.

The table count was 51 tables over the five days, and a huge 55 players earned some silver points over the week.

The opening event on the Friday was an Open Pairs won by Judy King and Martha Ferguson.

On the Saturday, Louise Rodger, who had finished second the day before, partnered Marge Way to a win in the morning and then repeated in the afternoon with Molly Taussig.

The Sunday Teams produced a fine result with a close finish between two top teams that dominated the event. Finishing in first place with 80vps were Bill Pollett, Linda Pollett, Molly Taussig and Stephanie Kyme. Close behind in second on 78vps were John Burville, Elizabeth McKee, Marge Way and Tony Saunders.

I particularly liked this result as some of these players were involved in a tough loss in the club Teams event last week and they did what top players do — brush it off, learn from it and put it right straight away — well done!

The Monday Open Pairs was won by Sancia Garrison and Sheena Rayner, and the event was rounded off on the Tuesday with Ross Cooper and Scott Gilbertson winning the 99er event with an excellent 66.11 per cent score!

Molly Taussig won the Adventures in Bridge trophy (a trophy presented ten years ago by Robert Todd) for most MPs earned during the week, with a total of 13.64.

She was closely followed by Bill and Linda Pollett on 12.72, and Louise Roger on 12.62. The most successful intermediate in master points was Delton Outerbridge with Tracey Pitt as the leading junior player.

Well done to all, and to tournament directors Jack Rhind and Peter Donnellan!

***

Today’s hand put East to the test in defence — and he passed with flying colours!

South opened a 15-17 NT, North invited with a slightly pushy 2NT and South accepted with his maximum.

South led the Club 5 which was ducked — East won the queen and took stock. It was clear that there was no future in Clubs and that hearts provided the best opportunity — but which heart? West’s lead suggested a 4 card suit and probably no four card major as he would have led it. If West had Kxx in hearts any heart would do and if he had xxx nothing will help — but what if he had 10xx and an outside entry?

Bingo, East led the heart Queen! South is fixed … … if he wins it West leads the heart 10 when in with the King of spades and the contract is down one. And if he ducks, East continues with a low heart — again one down!

Brilliant analysis and great execution by East who was rewarded for his great play!

***

• It is with great sadness that I report on the passing of the charismatic Dr Delmont Simmons who at one time was a regular at the club with his wife Marilynn, who passed four years ago, and his partner Malcolm, whom I think was his cousin.

Delmont delivered both Daniel and Rebecca and was a next door neighbour at Inwood, and we saw him and Marilynn often.

Our thoughts are with their lovely kids Kim, Rhonda and Richmond, and the rest of the Simmons family.

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

BERMUDA BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

The Bermuda Sectional

Friday, October 16

Open Pairs

1 Judy King/Martha Ferguson

2 Louise Rodger/Molly Taussig

3 William Pollett/Linda Pollett

Saturday, October 17

Open Pairs Morning

1 Louise Rodger/Margaret Way

2 Patricia Siddle/Diana Diel

3 Peter Donnellan/Lynanne Bolton

Open Pairs Afternoon

1 Louise Rodger/Molly Taussig

2 Claude Guay/Sharon Shanahan

3 Richard Gray/Wendy Gray

Sunday, October 18

Open Swiss Teams

1 William Pollett/Linda Pollett/Molly Taussig/Stephanie Kyme

2 John Burville/Elizabeth McKee/Margeret Way/Tony Saunders

3 Betsy Baillie/Delton Outerbridge/Claude Guay/Sharon Shanahan

Monday, October 19

Open Pairs

1 Sancia Garrison/Sheena Rayner

2= William Pollett/Linda Pollett

2= Stephanie Kyme/Diana Diel

Tuesday, October 20

99er Pairs

1 Ross Cooper/Scott Gilbertson

2 Colin James/Anna White

3 Joshimar Hussey/Julia Tadman

***

Bridge Club results

Wednesday, October 21

1 William Pollett/Linda Pollett

2 Richard Gray/Wendy Gray

3 Caroline Svensen/Martha Ferguson

Thursday, October 22

1 Claude Guay/Sharon Shanahan

2 Miodrag Novakovic/Delton Outerbridge

3 Tim Mardon/Lisa Ferrari