First Sun fights off Masters

First Sun remains at the top of the ladder after a bloody battle with the Masters where both sides inflicted heavy casualties. A mere 102 imps changed hands over the 12 boards. Typical of the cut and thrust were boards 2 and 12. On board 2 First Sun extended their lead by 16 imps when they bid to a making 6 clubs while the Masters signed off in a non making 5nt. Some revenge was had on board 12 however when First Sun opened a 3 way multi at favourable vul. LHO overcalled 3h and responder pre-empted to the hilt with 3 spades and 3 points! 4th in hand thought he could beat this with his 11 count and AQTx in spades. He found the double button. Now opener who, of course, had the strong minor option, couldn't be sure what was going on and passed. First Sun did well to make 3 tricks but this was 18 imps out. Interestingly 18 on the last board was still not enough and the result of the carnage was 57-45 to First Sun.

Kiwi Teams had only its second ever draw last night as Western Gals tried to fight their way off bottom rung against the Snakes. I've mentioned before that Western Gals are the unluckiest team in the competition and last night was no exception. They were 7 imps behind with two boards to go and managed to score exactly 7 on board 11. All they needed was something good to happen on board 12. With both dealers playing a strong 1nt that was the opening bid and the contract at both tables. Both leaders chose the Qh lead from xx QJTxx JTx Txx. This wrapped up the first 5 tricks at both tables and then declarer had 8 tricks on top! No chances of generating an imp there! The 31-31 all draw means that the Snakes not only held their position but they get to go up one place as Judy + North Shore drop a place because they haven't been able to play for two weeks. The Snakes are now in line to challenge for second or third on the ladder and with 3 weeks to go are a good bet to make it all the way to the top!

Other matches saw the higher placed teams grind out wins so that there was only the one change to the ladder. Next weeks draw will be interesting however as many of the higher ranked teams in the mid to lower ladder are due for a crack at teams in the top half.

Ladder Positions after Round 6

1. First Sun: mumofthree, kiwiannie, acolitecs, davetaupo, carriemac1, glennis.
2. Aussie Flavoured: oakura, argyll2nz, masham, wdavis, kelvingt.
3. The Masters: mastersg, tuckaway, clientje, cyber, ikanarat.
4. Trans Global: kotuku, hermman, mpemble, tfacol.
5. Snakes: susiecue, janwhy, nikzti, suescott, jonz, boatman.
6. Judy + North Shore: phoenix4, hairy_scot, oshlyn, dave27nz.
7. Central Climbers: gerry, tarakiwi, kermit, cascade, diatribe.
8. The Mavericks: tigerboy, andrewnz, buch99, clarkson, ickool.
9. Western Gals: seychelles, Lmu, blinkers, sandrac, jenter62.

Results of matches on 27/8/08

LADDER MATCHES:
First Sun: mumofthree/kiwiannie & acolitecs/davetaupo beat
The Masters: mastersg/tuckaway & clientje/cyber 57-45

Aussie Flavoured: oakura/masham & wdavis/argyll2nz beat
Trans Global: manawa/hermman & mpemble/tfacol 52-17

Central Climbers: cascade/kermit & diatribe/tarakiwi beat
Mavericks: tigerboy/ickool & buch99/crowie_11 50-28

Snakes: susiecue/janwhy & nikzti/suescott drew with
Western Gals: seychelles/Lmu & jenter62/sandrac 31-31

NON LADDER MATCHES:
noelwz/ljs & desilva/lixixing lost to jules10/k1w1 & andrewnz/nzpaua 17-37
glennis/gillyfleur & don_nz/enna63 beat petal25/tinycrab6 & derfson146/varange 31-12
crowie_11/sweetjane & clienje/cyber beat oakura/ianthe & whetu/manawa 50-4

Kiwi Teams Ladder Draw; Round 6

Match 1: First Sun: mumofthree/kiwiannie & acolitecs/davetaupo v The Masters: mastersg/tuckaway & clientje/cyber

Match 2: Aussie Flavoured: oakura/masham & wdavis/argyll2nz v Trans Global: manawa/hermman & mpemble/tfacol

Match 3: Central Climbers: cascade/kermit & diatribe/tarakiwi v Mavericks: tigerboy/ickool & buch99/clarkson
Match 4: Snakes: susiecue/janwhy & nikzti/suescott v Western Gals: seychelles/Lmu & sandrac/jenter62