THE latest community news from Lampeter

Bridge club

THE club had some very interesting cards at the most recent meeting where games and slams were difficult to bid.

At the end, the leading pairs were: 1, Andrew Phillips and John Evans, 61 per cent; 2, George Kenchington and Nigel Symmons- Jones, 52; 3, Keith Bellamy and Dai Hayes, 50.

There was one remarkable hand in which West opened 1 no trump (12-14 points).

South holds: Spades – AQJ1097654; Hearts – none; Diamonds – ace; Clubs – K76.

Obviously very little is needed to make a slam or even a grand slam.

Giving West 12-14 points leaves the other two hands with 12-14 between them. Is it possible to catch the missing K of spades? The odds are that it’s in the West hand.

Has partner an entry to lead a spade for a finesse? Does she even have spade? What’s the club situation? There are just too many imponderables.

All Wests just bid four spades followed by three passes. Now East is on lead, he leads the king of hearts from Spades – 3; Hearts - KQJ6; Diamonds - J98632; Clubs – 74.

Dummy turns up with the ace of hearts, the queen of clubs and a singleton spade!

West is delighted with these fortuitous cards, the ace is played, West follows and declarer discards a club.

Now the spade is played, West plays low. Declarer rightly judges that West has the king and overtakes the eight with the J.

One finesse is all that’s needed, and the ace drops the king. Now 12 tricks come rolling home, just losing one to the ace of clubs.

An unlikely diamond lead hold declarer to 10 tricks!

Come and join the group at Hafan Deg retirement home, where members play every Tuesday at 6.45pm. All are welcome: learners, beginners and seasoned players.

St Peter’s Church

FRIDAY, 1 June: Monthly lunch in support of Christian Aid at the church hall from noon to 1.30pm.

Sunday, 3 June: 8am, Holy Communion in English; 10.30 am, Family Service (bilingual).

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