European Youth Teams Championship - Match 7 vs England

Before the match, and after the 90-2 drubbing by Norway, I took the team for a walk around the hotel. There is a cycle path that appears to stretch forever alongside the road in both directions, and a nice little lake. After five minutes we were deep in the woods and decided to turn back.

Now we were refreshed for the big match against England. This was an exciting encounter. I watched alongside the Scotland pair who weren't playing (Tamsin and Jamie), and the very friendly England pair  (Ollie Powell and Aaron Hutton), plus the England U21 coach Michael Byrne.

It was quite an intense atmosphere with three laptops and a lot of jargon. The England players were very quick with their analysis, and also knew their team-mates well and what they would bid. I confess I had very little idea what our team were going to bid.

The match was featured on Vugraph, and we were lucky enough to have expert commentary with Liz McGowan and Paul Gipson. I think the team did well overall.

On Board 1 Scotland raced into an assailable lead:

In the Open Room was our Strong NT pair. Here Lydia (East) opened 1♣ and the English South bid an immediate 4♠. Jack (West) doubled, and it was passed out. The 4♠ bid could have propelled us overboard, but Scotland did well to stand firm and defend with two flat hands. Declarer had to lose five tricks for -300.

In the Closed Room our South (Michael) went for just 1♠, and England duly got to 4♥. The England team to not miss many games. With no support from partner, and a likely four tricks in his hand Michael passed 4♥. There were indeed four losers, so 8 IMPs to Scotland.

On the very next board England got it back by making 3NT (we went off in 3♠), then came this challenging deal:

Here's how England handled it:

KRIP	Donald	CLARK	Michael
W	N	E	S
1♦	-	1♥	-
2♥	-	3♣*	-
3♦	-	5NT*	-
7♦	-

After West reversed showing a good hand East bid 3♣ forcing. West rebid his Diamonds, and East chose 5NT, as 'pick a slam'. This was not a popular choice amongst the viewing gallery of England fans, but West did not hesitate to bid 7♦ and was soon claiming all 13 tricks.

The Scotland auction started the same, but East didn't know what to do over 2♥. As the commentator said "It seems Scotland have not discussed how to show a strong hand after a reverse." East bid 3NT, passed out, and quickly claimed with four overtricks.

My normal advice when teaching bridge is "opening hand plus opening hand = game". I will now extend that to "big opening hand plus big opening hand = slam". I think the best our East could have done is 6NT on the second round. Playing the more delicate fourth suit forcing maybe we get to the grand too, but let's not get carried away.

At this point England were about 20 IMPs up, with more to come when a rogue 1♦ overcall was punished. "Scotland have obviously been told to interfere with the 1♣ opening whenever possible" was the comment. This overcall was on a flat hand, with only four Diamonds, and cost 800. I blame the coach.

When England overbid to 3NT and we took it down we clawed a few back. Then an overambitious 6♥ gave Scotland a few more:

After West opened 1♠ East identified the 5-2 Heart fit and then there was no stopping him. Our South (Michael) led a Spade and declarer had no choice but to take the losing finesse. Donald returned a Diamond for two down.

On the other table Jack and Lydia safely reached 3NT and Lydia (East) received a Diamond lead to the King. Sometimes I like to see declarer stop and think before playing, on this one I was pleased to see Lydia play it quickly, as the contract is secure from the start. She unblocked the Clubs, took four of them, five more Hearts then declined the Spade finesse for 3NT+2, and 11 IMPs back.

With only a few boards to go we were about 30 IMPs behind, a very acceptable margin. 

England gained a swing bidding 3NT without a stopper (putting us off the winning lead), then we got plenty back with this unusual board:

When West opens 1♦ North has a problem. You can't double without Spades, you can't bid 1NT without a stop, and you can't pass with such a good hand.  

Jack	WIECZOREK	Lydia	BUCKNELL
W	N	E	S
1♦	x	1♥	1♠
2♦	2NT	-	-
x	-	-	-

The English North chose double, then bid NT. Our West doubled this. Although you have six tricks in your hand, it's not clear to double, as you are maybe only turning +50 into +100, and if they run to 3♣ (for example) you're going to wish you'd passed.

However, double hits the jackpot if you take them several off, as happened here. Lydia had no problem leading her partner's suit, and I was pleased that Jack kept careful watch of his partner's discard so could return a Heart (easy to be too excited about banging down all your winners you forget you need to lead a card afterwards). On the Heart return declarer was in trouble, and actually ended up just taking three tricks. 

I'm dwelling on this hand as the +1100 we collected has so often been the sort of score we conceded.

On the other table Donald made a simple 1NT overcall as North, and went one off for a big gain on the board. 

The last two boards were flat, as England surprisingly didn't bid either thin slam. The match finished with a 66-43 IMP loss, comfortably the highest scoring match in the round. As a commentator said "that will feel like a win for Scotland", and I'm sure we were much happier with our 4 Victory points than England were with their 16.

Round 7 Victory Points: 4.68

Total VPS so far: 16.82 (17th place)

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