Ireland's Petra O'Neill and Patsy Meehan, with Detta Bentley and Angela McCready, both England, have finished third in the trans-national women's teams event at the Generali European bridge championships in Tenerife.
Two other Irish players shared in the victory when Ann Montwill and Liz Taaffe came into the team for the last three matches, substituting for players who had to leave.
Irish seniors, Joe MacHale, Alex Montwill, Pat Barry, David Jackson and Greer McKenzie, beat the Netherlands 20-10, drew with Switzerland 15-15, lost to Israel 16-14 and to Germany A 12-18, then defeated Belgium 16-14 to occupy 10th place.
In the open championship the Irish scored a double swing on the same deal, but it was not enough to avoid losing 14-16 to Lebanon.
Ireland's open team continued to disappoint. They showed signs of recovery when Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Padraig O Briain and Tomas Roche defeated Belgium 23-7 but disasters followed against Ukraine 525 and Germany 2-25. They beat Romania 16-14, then lost to Lebanon.
Russia has taken a commanding lead. while England leads the women's teams event.
Women's Transnational Teams. Final result:1, Italy D, 2, Italy A, 3, Ireland-England.
Open Teams. Leaders after 19 rounds: 1. Russia 365, 2. Poland 352, 3. Greece 349, 4. Norway 332, 5. Italy 331, 6. France 326, 7. Belgium 324, 8. Austria 323, 9. Bulgaria 320, 10. Denmark 316. 18th Wales 292, 19th Scotland 285, 21st England 281, 31st IRELAND 222. 35 teams competed.
Women's Teams. Leaders after 9 rounds: 1. England 183, 2. Austria 165, 3. France 163, 4. Spain 162, 5 Israel 158, 6. Netherlands 154, 7 Czech Republic, 152, 8. Germany 151, 9. Italy, Sweden 144. 21 teams competed.
Seniors. Leaders after 10 rounds 1. France B 192, 2. Italy B 185, 3. Italy A, Netherlands 180, 5. Germany A 178, 6. England A, France A 176, 8. Germany B, Sweden 167, 10. Ireland 162.