Australia Loses To Brazil In Bermuda Bowl Match
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday December 4, 2001
The Australian open team's first match at the Bermuda Bowl in Paris was against Brazil, a tough opponent. Brazil had a big win, not at all what the doctor ordered. Here are two deals from the match:
West North East South
-- -- Pass 2C*
Pass 2D** Pass 2NT
Pass 4C Pass 6C
Pass Pass Pass --
* artificial, strong
** artificial, negative
Opening lead: S10
Six clubs is a reasonable contract and as the cards lay, declarer was untroubled to make twelve tricks, for +1370. I like North's bid of four clubs opposite a balanced hand too strong to open two no-trumps. It simplified the auction. At the other table, the auction began the same way, but South rebid two spades, an inferior choice to two no-trumps. Over three clubs from North, he bid three no-trumps and there things rested, for +630 and 12 imps to Australia.
West North East South
-- -- -- 1C
Pass 1H Pass 1NT*
Pass 2H Pass 3H
Pass Pass Pass --
*15-17 points, balanced (Acol)
Opening lead: S2
This was not an impressive Australian auction. It seems clear to me that with a six-card suit and some outside values, North should have accepted South's game invitation, particularly when vulnerable. South in fact did well to dredge up his three-heart raise.Ten tricks were made, for +170. Ten tricks were also made by Brazil,
after a transfer auction consisting of three bids, 1NT: 4C, 4H. That meant a swing of 10 imps to Brazil, who won the 20-board match by 72 imps, 25 VPs to 2.
Peter Fordham and Michael Prescott anchored the Australian team, playing in 15 of the 17 round robin matches. They will be featured again tomorrow, in Australia's good win against the strong Indonesian team.
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald