sitemaster's blog

The good folk of the Rotorua club have such a great time at the Cambridge Sixes that, for several years, they have been replicating the Sixes format in their own club's playing programme. This has usually been spread over a few weeks but last Sunday they all got together and made a day of it. Unfortunately, we heard, comms broke down in the kitchen and they doubled-up on the food. Never mind. There are two things that go to making a great bridge day out - nice venue and nice food - and plenty of it!

Bertie IITim Healy of the Hamilton club looked for historical parallel to the accession of Allan Morris to the top seat of New Zealand Bridge following the resignation of Alan Dormer due to ill health. Tim found a close match in English history when Edward VIII abdicated his throne - albeit not for health reasons.

Tim claims some licence is allowed as Edward stepped down in favour of his brother George who, upon coronation, became George VI. Allan protested that he wasn't Alan's brother but, of course, he is ... they share the same Christian name with just one little "L" the difference.

So now he needed a nickname befitting a king and also to remove any confusion with his predecessor. His choices were between George and Bertie, the latter being George's nickname in "The King's Speech". He chose Bertie so Heallys had a crown made for him which bears his name and a crown to signify the King of NZ Bridge.

That's the story .. never a short story when Tim tells it. Somewhat abridged you might say.

It was previously reported that Eunice Eccles of Cambridge and Malcolm Kirkby of Te Aroha had won the second round of the Waikato-Bays Intermediate League. Due to a scoring correction this has now been changed. It was Ev Gardiner and Sharon Opai of Taupo who won on the day - many congratulations - with Eunice and Malcolm coming runners-up. All other prizes are confirmed as standing.

Session results and the Leagues ladder appear on this site.

Click here to download the full content of Allan Morris' latest newsletter. In it Allan reports on last week's Zone 7 AGM on the Gold Coast which was attended by Rona Gianarrigo, President of the WBF. Zone 7 of the World Bridge Federation includes Australia and the Pacific Islands. Alister Stuck, our very own permanent secretary of NZ Bridge, also performs the same function for Zone 7.

Yes, that's right! The first of the Waikato Area Pairs 2018 is this Sunday in the newly refurbished Cambridge club rooms. We are looking forward to seeing as many attendees as possible. It is not just for Open players. There is always a prize for the best non-Open pair on the day as well as best Junior and Intermediate pairings with Open players for the series. The WAPs is a marvelous way to develop your bridge and make a bridge partnership stronger. If you are learning the Nesting Pairs system, playing in the WAPs is an ideal practice ground.