An innovative tournament format was played at the Huntly Christmas Party; the last event on the Waikato-Bays calendar for the year. The field was split into three groups according to perceived stage of advancement. The highest rank group played a 7-table Howell in the morning while the other two groups faced off in a 13-table Mitchell. After lunch the highest ranked group was unleashed to savage the middle group in the Mitchell while the others played amongst themselves in the Howell.

The season draws to a close and the IT Manager's thoughts inevitably turn to getting things set up for 2018. There are a couple of new tools to make the job even easier this year.

Waikato Bays IP team
Fantastic Results for the Waikato Bays teams competing in the final of the New Zealand Interprovincial Bridge Teams Championships in Wellington this weekend.

Four teams of four players competed representing Waikato Bays in different levels.

Winning Intermediates

Murray was born Auckland and has lived there all his life, He completed a BSc, MSc (1st class honours), and PhD in Chemistry at Auckland University. He started playing Bridge,when as a post-graduate student at Auckland university,some bridge playing staff and graduates needed a four for lunch time games. He is a technical specialist in IT and originally worked in industry, but has spent the last 25 years working with software companies. Although Murray retired last Christmas he still enjoys doing contract work for his last employer and is now able to spend more time playing Bridge. Congratulations on being a member of the team, hoping you and your partner Rachelle have a successful tournament in Wellington.

Pat and TonyPat was born in Hastings and went to St Joseph’s school. She has been playing Bridge for many years coming from a home environment where her parents and friends played cards. Being born under the star sign of Gemini Pat exhibits many of the Gemini traits, sociable, communicative and ready for fun, expressive and quick witted with a tendency to get serious and thoughtful. Her family occupy the most important role in her life and she enjoys caravanning with her grandchildren. Her other hobbies include music, gardening, sailing and yachting. Pat has played previously in the Inter-Provincials for Waikato Bay of Plenty and also for the Central Districts. My meeting with Pat and her bridge partner Tony at Thames recently was great fun and I wish them every success in Wellington.