IRELAND had another good day at the World Bridge Olympiad in Rhodes yesterday, winning two and drawing one of the four matches played. In the first Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Rory Timlin and Gay Keaveney beat the title holders and group leaders France 18-12 in what was the team's greatest success so far. They never looked like losing to the French and indeed were unlucky not to win by a bigger margin.
The same players then took on South Africa, a team which has been in the top six in the group for most of the week. The match was tied with five boards to go but the South Africans pulled away to win 23-7. The disappointing result sent Ireland from 13th to 16th in the table.
McGann and Hanlon were joined by Paul Scannell and Ray Brennan for the meeting with Sweden, one of Europe's top teams and always among the favourites in major championships. The match ended in a ISIS draw. Brennan, Scannell, McGann and Hanlon then outclassed Luxembourg 23-7 in round 18 to put Ireland back to 14th place in the group of 35.
The qualifying rounds have now reached halfway. With 17 matches to go the struggle for qualifying places intensifies. In Ireland's group France, despite losses to Ireland and Indonesia, seems invincible and leads by a clear match. Spain is the surprise team in second place. Ireland lies just behind a group which includes Austria, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, South Africa and Denmark.
In round 19 Ireland meets Argentina, currently in 15th place. A decisive win could put the Irish in a position to challenge for a place in the quarter finals. McGann, Hanlon, Timlin and Keaveney are being entrusted with the task.
In group B, Italy and Israel still set the pace. Great Britain, after a moderate start, has moved up to seventh but the US, which rarely fails to qualify for the knock out stages, is struggling.
The women's championship has also reached halfway in the qualifying stages. After 11 rounds Sweden and Israel still lead their respective groups, Israel by a wide margin. Great Britain has moved into a challenging position in sixth place behind Sweden.
Open championship leaders after 18 rounds Group A: France 373, Spain 348, Poland 346, Indonesia 343, Pakistan 333, Japan 330. 14th, Ireland 283. Group B: Italy 358, Israel 356, Iceland 349. Chinese Taipei 348, Russia 344, Norway 326. Women's championship Group A: Sweden 220, South Africa 215. Group B: Israel 227, Austria 210.