WA Pairs at the 2024 ANC
The 2024 Australian National Championships (ANC) were held in in Orange NSW. It was cold outside but not much rain. The bridge was excellent, a good venue, good organisation, and plenty of players. It was probably the most successful ANC ever in regards to side event numbers. Over two weeks, there were almost 700 unique players attending, over 3,000 player days, and just under 12,000 boards dealt.
The ANC is organised around the Interstate Teams in the first week and the Butler Pairs in the second week with numerous side events. It was good to see the Northern Territory fielding teams in some of the categories.
How did the West Australians fare given that quite a few were in Orange for two weeks? And if you make it to the end of the article then there is a defensive problem for you.
Major Events – Interstate Teams
Open Team 4th: Gerry Daly – Viv Wood; Paul Brayshaw – Chris Mulley; Jonathan Free-Mimi Packer; Martin Doran (NPC)
Womens Team 6th: Pauline Collett – Cathy Hood; Gwyneira Brahma – Cassie Morin; Wendy Driscoll – Allison Stralow (PC)
Seniors Team 4th: Trevor Fuller – Val Biltoft; James Steer – Stella Steer; David Schokman - Tim Wright; Dave Munro (NPC)
Youth 6th: Mihin Henkanaththegedara – Campbell Millar; Minnie Geale – Sunny Fang; Lizzy Brayshaw - Oliver Brayshaw; Hannah Brayshaw (NPC)
Major Events – Interstate Pairs
Trevor Fuller – Val Biltoft 9th; Gerry Daly – Viv Wood 11th
Major Events – Butler Pairs
Open: No West Australian Pairs made it through Stage 1, the best pair was Martin Doran – Chris Mulley 12th missing out by 3 Imps over four sessions.
Mixed: Two West Australian Pairs made the final stage with Jonathan Free – Mimi Packer 3rd; and Trevor Fuller – Val Biltoft 9th.
For those knocked of the main Butler events there were Swiss Pairs to play in.
Paul Lavings Swiss Pairs A: Martin Doran – Chris Mulley 2nd.
Paul Lavings Swiss Pairs B: Alan Cransberg - Kimberley Zhao 1st; Gerry Daly – Viv Wood 5th.
All other events were run under a Central West Festival of Bridge Congress (CWF) banner that will become an annual event. If you missed out on this year, and want to go to Orange, then put this Congress in your calendar, just remember to pack some warm clothes.
CWF Welcome Pairs: Pauline Collett – Cathy Hood 3rd; Tim Wright – David Schokman 9th
Dubbo Swiss Pairs: Brenda Campbell – Eve Clarkson 11th
Parkes Matchpoint Pairs: Brenda Campbell – Eve Clarkson 10th
Orange BC Swiss Pairs: Gwyneira Brahma – Dave Munro 1st (This was a particularly large field with 116 pairs playing).
Orange BC Swiss Teams: David – Schokman – Tim Wright; James & Stella Steer 1st.
There were also a number of West Australians doing well with players from other states including Angeline Christie; Martin Doran & Bob Prince.
A defensive problem
North reaches Four Hearts after East has overcalled in clubs and the spade king is led? Can you beat the contract sitting East-West
West needs to overtake the Spade King with the Ace and switch to the Club Queen. East-West must now play three rounds of clubs and not try to cash a second spade. The third club creates an insurmountable problem with West holding the heart eight!
Ruff low in the South hand and be overruffed with that eight or ruff high and now the Heart Queen will win a trick. Unlucky, one off.
Unsurprisingly this defence wasn’t found very often!
More Reading
Want more reading then download the Big Slam Magazine that includes all of the bulletins from the ANC here.
Rob Ward opening the 2024 ANC with the ABF president (Allison Stralow), the Mayor of Orange and other politicians in attendance. This was the main playing area for the Congress Events.
The Closed Room for the first week’s Interstate Teams.