Bridge - The Scotsman 08/10/12

The Scottish Bridge Union had planned a Camrose pre-Trial this season, but there was not enough interest, so 18 pairs took part in the first round of the Camrose Trial, with 12 to proceed to the final stages.

Winners were the young partnership of Alex Wilkinson and Phil Stephens, closely followed by two new pairings: Paul Barton and Brian Spears; and Miro Dragic and Irving Gordon.

On this deal most of the field played in hearts. Provided South was declarer, so that East could never gain the lead, there were 11 easy tricks. One pair’s unusual methods saw them reach 5H from the North hand. East led a diamond and the defenders cashed the first three tricks.

Three pairs found the sacrifice in 5D. One pair made 5D doubled when the defenders cashed their two major aces. Declarer ruffed a spade to the East hand take the diamond finesse. The 2-2 break was fortunate. Declarer crossed again with a spade ruff to lead the jack of clubs. When South covered he played for the singleton king and finessed the nine on the way back.

Irving Gordon sat South, and led the ace of hearts against 5D doubled. North dropped the queen, a suit preference signal for spades, but Irving saw that cashing a spade would be a mistake. He found the switch to beat the contract for sure, the king of clubs. Declarer could not reach hand to take the diamond finesse, and had to lose a trump and a spade.

Liz McGowan