Bridge notes: England leads home international championship table

England leads the home international championship table after the opening series of matches in Belfast.

The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI) team is second, five victory points in arrears. Ireland, the holders of the Camrose trophy, is third, a further six points back.

The final series of matches will be played in Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 2nd-4th. Full results: England 64; CBAI 59; Ireland 53; Wales 48; Northern Ireland 40; Scotland 35.

Richard Elvin and BJ O’Brien proved to be the outstanding players at Waterford congress. Following a start-to-finish win in the pairs championship from John Murchan and Ruth Connolly, with Seán Connor and Jim Doyle third, they joined forces with Jill Kulchycky and Teresa Rigney to win the team event, finishing half a point ahead of Katherine Lennon, Frank O’Farrell, Connor and Doyle. Dolores Gilliland, Avril and Maria Whelan and Eileen O’Donovan were third.

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Local players dominated the mixed pairs event when Marian Davenport and Pierce Kelly finished ahead of Sheila and Pat Breslin, with Margaret Cunningham and Dominic Kearns third.

Helen and Veronica Fitzgerald won the intermediate pairs contest from Noel Bradfield and John Lyons, with Anthony Deevy and Elizabeth Morrissey third.

The novice pairs went to Deirdre Power and Ann Giffney, ahead of Siobhán Wall and Therese Dipple, with Leo Doyle and Mike Muldowney third.

Veteran Limerick pair Aidan and Ena Cleary won the two major competitions at Tralee congress. They won the pairs contest from Denis Sheehan and Kay Cussen, with Seán Ó Lubaigh and Martin Brady third, and then joining forces with Sheehan and Cussen they captured the team event from Ó Lubaigh, Brady and Jerone and Bernie Lodewijks.

Cork congress will be held at the Maryborough Hotel, Douglas, from Friday, January 19th, to Sunday, January 21st. Mixed and novice pairs events will start at 7.30pm on the Friday. Separate congress and intermediate pairs competitions will commence at 1.30pm on Saturday, while a one-session intermediate B pairs will begin at 7.30pm. Congress and intermediate team championships will commence at 11am on the Sunday. Entries to Gráinne Murphy at 087 6859195.

The CBAI men’s and women’s pairs and team championships will be held at the Westgrove Hotel, Clane, Co Kildare, next weekend. Revington (men) and Jackson (women) cups will be contested on Saturday starting at 1.30pm, while the team events for the Geraldine Trophy and the McMenamin Bowl will begin on Sunday at 11am. Entries: 01 2949666.