England vs Norway - Junior Round 22

Paula Leslie reports on an important match from Round 22 of the
junior championship, between Norway and England.

First blood went to England.

Board 1. Dealer N. None Vul.
	ª J 10 © A Q 3 ¨ A Q 9 6 3 § K 10 5
ª A K 8 6 5 3 © 8 6 ¨ 8 § A 8 7 6		ª - © K J 10 7 4 2 ¨ 10 5 4 2 § J 9 3
	ª Q 9 7 4 2 © 9 5 ¨ K J 7 § Q 4 2

The contract in the closed room drifted three off for +150 to England. The stakes were higher in the open room where Hillman/Bennett reached 3NT. Kvangraven led the jack of hearts, which was won by declarer’s queen. He played a club to the queen and ace. Harr cashed the ace and king of spades and declarer had 10 tricks for +430 and 11 IMPs to England.

Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
	ª 8 © K Q J 9 4 3 ¨ J § J 7 6 5 3
ª A K 5 4 3 2 © A 6 ¨ 8 5 § A 10 2		ª Q 7 6 © 10 8 5 2 ¨ 7 2 § K Q 9 8
	ª J 10 9 © 7 ¨ A K Q 10 9 6 4 3 § 4

Both South players opened 3NT in second seat to show a solid minor. In the closed room Jonathan Green chose to double 3NT, and North’s removal to 4¨, which ended the auction. East, Graham Hazel led the queen of clubs overtaken by West. He then cashed the aces of spades and hearts, and when he failed to play a trump declarer had 10 tricks for +710.

In the open room Gunnar Harr chose to bid 4ª over the 3NT opening. North led a diamond, and South cashed two diamonds and switched to a heart, which declarer won and drew trumps. He then carefully played the ten of clubs to the king, returned a small club to the ace, and picked up the club suit for four tricks for +450 and 15 IMPs to Norway who were now 15-11 ahead.

Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
	ª 4 3 © A K Q J 7 5 4 ¨ 6 § J 10 5
ª A 10 9 2 © 3 2 ¨ Q 9 8 5 4 § 9 3		ª Q J 8 7 5 © 10 8 ¨ A K 3 § K 6 2
	ª K 6 © 9 6 ¨ J 10 7 2 § A Q 8 7 4

This was a missed opportunity for England. In the closed room North opened 3NT, which was described as a solid minor on his convention card. South jumped to 5¨, and when North converted to 5© they were at an uncomfortably high level. East led the queen of spades to the king and ace and West cashed the spade ten. He then switched to a trump, and declarer drew the outstanding trumps and successfully finessed in clubs to discard his diamond loser for 11 tricks and +650.

In the closed room Richard Hillman opened 4© in third seat and was left to play there. The defence started with a top diamond followed by two rounds of spades and a diamond switch ruffed by declarer. Richard drew trumps for 10 tricks but 6 IMPs to Norway, now ahead by 21-11 after only three boards.

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
	ª K 10 8 6 © K Q 4 ¨ 2 § Q J 6 5 2
ª A Q 9 7 © 10 9 8 ¨ A K 3 § A 7 3		ª 5 3 © A J 6 5 ¨ 8 7 6 4 § 10 9 8
	ª J 4 2 © 7 3 2 ¨ Q J 10 9 5 § K 4

The contract was 1NT in both rooms. In the closed room Jonathan Green made five tricks for -200. In the open room Gunnar Harr did rather better. He received the lead of the five of clubs from North for the eight, king and three. South switched to the queen of diamonds, which was won by declarer’s ace. Declarer led the eight of spades, and when North played the king gave this a good look, but eventually played the ace. He led another heart, which was ducked and a third, which was taken by North who continued with another club. Declarer had a fair idea of the distribution by this point. He cashed a second diamond in case North had two and exited in clubs. North could cash three club tricks but was endplayed into playing a spade giving declarer seven tricks and his contract. This was worth 7 IMPs to Norway who now led 26-18.

In the closed room Jonathan Green opened a weak 2© and North overcalled 2ª. Graham Hazel bid 3© for the moment and South showed a raise to 4ª with heart shortage. North tried RKCB but Hazel came in with 5© and South jumped to slam. Graham led the ace of his shorter suit and there was still the ace of trumps to come for +100 to England. In the open room Gunnar Harr opened a multi 2¨, and after Richard Hillman’s 2ª overcall, East elected to pass. South was unsure as to the meaning of 4©, so bid a simple 4ª. On the lead of the ©A declarer made 12 tricks for +680 and 13 IMPs to England who retook the lead 31-26.

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
	ª Q 10 7 © A Q J 6 4 2 ¨ 7 6 § 6 2
ª 8 © K 10 9 ¨ A 5 § K J 10 9 8 7 5		ª J 5 4 3 2 © 8 ¨ Q J 10 9 2 § A Q
	ª A K 9 6 © 7 5 3 ¨ K 8 4 3 § 4 3

The players in the West seat had an awkward bidding decision. In the closed room Green had to make a decision after he had opened a club and partner had forced with 2ª and subsequently made a takeout double when 3© came back to him. He chose 5§ which made 11 tricks on the ©A lead. Harr was facing a more limited auction and his partner’s 3ª bid was non-forcing. He chose 3NT and South briefly considered doubling but wasn’t sure whether this asked for a spade lead. When Hillman led the queen of hearts declarer had 9 tricks for +400 and no swing.

Board 17. Dealer N. None Vul.
	ª A Q 6 4 3 © A Q 9 ¨ K Q 2 § K 10
ª 8 5 2 © K 10 5 2 ¨ 10 7 6 4 3 § A		ª K J 10 7 © J ¨ A J 9 8 5 § 7 6 3
	ª 9 © 8 7 6 4 3 ¨ § Q J 9 8 5 4 2

In the closed room after partner’s 2NT opening South chose to play in 4© which made 10 tricks for +420 to Norway. In the closed room Keith Bennett for England chose to bid 5§ and Gunnar Harr found the killing lead of a low heart. Declarer played the queen, which held, and played a trump, which West won and gave his partner a heart ruff for -1 and 10 IMPs to Norway.

The match ended 46-33 to Norway, which gave them an important 18-12 win.

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