Bridge

THERE is another hand from last month's Lady Milne event, one that helped Scotland beat Northern Ireland by 22-8 in victory points.

When Scotland sat North-South, the Irish West opened with a multi 2D, then showed a weak two bid in hearts. This worked badly after Maida Grant and Sheila Macdonald reached 3NT and West led a heart. As the queen won this trick, Macdonald knew West must have AKXXXX of hearts but not the diamond ace – too strong for a weak two bid. So she played ace, king and a club for East to win. East switched to a low diamond and Macdonald rose with the king and had 11 tricks. She made a 12th later.

At the other table, Sam Punch opened 1H and the Irish ladies reached 3NT. Play began the same way: a low heart to the queen, then ace, king and another club. When Veronica Guy switched to a low diamond, Ireland's declarer feared playing the king in case the ace was with West for her opening bid. She played low, but the Scots defenders cashed their top tricks. Two hearts, two diamonds and a club meant one down.

Worried about the diamond ace, the Irish declarer should have tried avoidance play. At trick two, she should cross in spades to lead a club. As West plays low, declarer wins the ace, crosses to hand in spades and leads another club. When the queen appears, declarer ducks and has three spade tricks, a heart and five clubs in safety.

• This article was first published in the Scotland on Sunday, May 9, 2010