IRELAND'S bridge team failed to improve their position at the World Bridge Olympiad in Rhodes yesterday when they won only one of the three matches played. A crucial mid-table match in round 19 against Argentina went to the South Americans when Rory Timlin, Gay Keaveney, Hugh McGann and Tom Hanlon went down 11-19. However, the same quartet struck back immediately to beat Bermuda, 21-9.
Paul Scannell and Ray Brennan teamed up with Timlin and Keaveney against lowly placed Singapore in round 21. The Irish were expected to win this match but defensive errors proved costly and Singapore registered its biggest win of the championship to beat Ireland, 21-9.
Following a bye in round 22, Ireland lies 16th of the 35 nations in Group A ahead of China and just behind Canada and Sweden. France continues to dominate the group, although Poland has moved closer. Denmark, level with Ireland two days ago, has moved into a qualifying position after big wins over San Marino and Lebanon. Spain, although losing only one match yesterday, has slipped three places to fifth.
Israel and Italy hold on at the top of group B where Britain is well in touch in seventh position. The surprise of the championship is the failure of last year's world championship finalists. USA and Canada, to make any impression so far.
They lie 12th and 13th in their respective groups. Over the weekend Ireland will meet San Marino, Denmark, Colombia, Romania, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Chile.
In the women's championship, China, after big wins against Morocco, South Africa and New Zealand, have gone to the top of Group A. Sweden has slipped to fifth after losing heavily to Britain and Netherlands. In Group B, Israel still set the pace, but the USA, beaten 25-4 by Canada, have one down to fourth. The first four teams in all groups qualify for the quarter-final knock-out stages.
Group A
1, France 446; 2, Poland 438; 3, Indonesia 417; 4, Denmark 410; 5, Spain 409; joint 6, New Zealand and Pakistan 397; 16, Ireland 342.
Group B
Israel 436; Italy 428; Iceland 419; Chinese Taipei 413; Russia 405; Norway 402; Great Britain 396
Women Group A
China 269; South Africa 259; Germany 257; Netherlands 251; Sweden 249; Brazil 243; Great Britain 241
Group B
Israel 277; Austria 260: Canada 260; USA 259; France 250: Poland 242.