Bridge - The Scotsman 02/07/12

By Liz McGowan
Published on 02/07/2012 00:00

SCOTLAND’S Senior Team at the European Championship has done us proud, winning Scotland’s first medal at this level, taking bronze.

The team – Willie Coyle, John Matheson, Derek Diamond, Victor Silverstone, John Murdoch, Iain Sime and Captain Harry Smith – have qualified for the World Championships in Bali next year.

This was a nice result that helped them to a 20-10 win over silver medallists, Poland. The Polish East opened 4S, passed round to Derek Diamond, who doubled. This was basically a penalty suggestion, and South had no reason to argue. There are four inevitable losers, and declarer was not gifted with second sight, so North scored his singleton king of spades for two down, 300 to Scotland.

John Matheson also favours a loose pre-empting style, but in deference to his partner he opened just 3S. North doubled for takeout and South bid 4H. Coyle led ace and another spade, ruffed in dummy. Markowicz tried ace, then queen of hearts, hoping for a doubleton jack. WCoyle won his king, and stranded declarer in dummy by leading the queen of diamonds. Markowicz cashed a second top diamond, then exited with a heart, hoping Coyle would be endplayed to lead away from the ace of clubs. No luck: Coyle drew trump and led a club so that Matheson could make his remaining spades. Five down gave Scotland a 13 imp swing.