England
v The Netherlands - Women Round 7
England and The Netherlands have been keen rivals for many years
in the Women's series, at least, if we allow that England are really
just a continuation of the old British team. After six rounds in
Malmo the Dutch were lying fifth and England sixth and, with five
teams to qualify for next year's Venice Cup in Estoril, this was
a big match. It also proved to be an extremely interesting one with
some excellent play of some very tricky contracts to admire.
|
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
|
| |
ª A 10 7
© K 9 7 4
¨ J 7
§ A 5 4 2 |
ª K 6 5
© 2
¨ K Q 8 6 5 4 2
§ K Q |
 |
ª Q J 9 8 4 3 2
© 8 3
¨ A
§ 9 6 3 |
| |
ª -
© A Q J 10 6 5
¨ 10 9 3
§ J 10 8 7 |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Brunner |
Hoogweg |
Goldenfield |
Van Zwol |
| |
|
|
3© |
| 5¨ |
5© |
All Pass |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Vriend |
Smith |
Arnolds |
Dhondy |
| |
|
|
3© |
| 4¨ |
4© |
4ª |
Pass |
| Pass |
5© |
5ª |
All Pass |
| |
 |
| |
Wietske van Zwol, The
Netherlands |
Both Souths opened what I consider to be a down-the-middle 3©
pre-empt. Michelle Brunner’s 5¨
overcall can be explained by the fact that this partnership play
4¨ as non-leaping
Michaels, showing diamonds and spades. Femke Hoogweg bid 5©,
as 5¨ could easily
have been making, and Rhona Goldenfield is not the sort of player
to introduce the spade suit at this level so there the matter rested.
Brunner led the king of clubs. If declarer ducks and West continues
with a second club, there is the possibility of an elimination then
endplay against East, but Wietske van Zwol was not thinking of making,
rather of getting out for one down, and it was normal to win the
ace. From here there was no real prospect of a defensive slip and
the contract was one down for –50.
Bep Vriend had no systemic worries and could overcall 4¨. Over
4©, Carla Arnolds tried 4ª and that pushed Nicola Smith to 5©. Now
one would imagine that Vriend would have bid 5ª had she been given
the option but, surprisingly, Arnolds bid it in front of her. There
were three aces to lose, of course, so the Dutch were one down in
this room also for –100 and 4 IMPs to England.
|
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
|
| |
ª 9
© Q 4 2
¨ A 7 4
§ K Q 9 8 7 6 |
ª A 10 7 3
© J 7 6
¨ 10 9 6 5 2
§ 2 |
|
ª K 5
© 10 9 3
¨ K Q 8 3
§ A J 10 4 |
| |
ª Q J 8 6 4 2
© A K 8 5
¨ J
§ 5 3 |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Brunner |
Hoogweg |
Goldenfield |
Van Zwol |
| |
|
1NT |
2§ |
| All Pass |
|
|
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Vriend |
Smith |
Arnolds |
Dhondy |
| |
|
1¨ |
1ª |
| 3¨ |
|