Clive, sitting East, opened 1 diamond (Precision) and Gordon, sitting South, undaunted by the might of the opposition, made a weak overcall of two hearts. The ordinary West, looking at an obvious ten tricks, might consider the obvious bid of four spades, but not the Guru. Far too simple. After all, it was partner who opened the bidding and a small slam could be on the cards. A cue bid in hearts would be forcing to game, but then, when it became obvious that West had a spade suit and slam interest, East would be under the impression that West's heart bid showed at least the king of hearts (or a singleton) if not the ace (or a void) and a slam would be reached with two quick heart losers. It was then that the Guru hit on a really expert bid. The sputnik double! This would show four spades and 7 to 10 points or any stronger hand. Once partner made his response, a jump to four spades would get the correct message across. If the opponents had a heart fit, my subsequent four spade bid might cause the opponents to misjudge the situation and double, bringing rich rewards. Before you marvel at my genius too much, I have to tell you that Clive had taken a perverse liking to his one certain defensive trick and passed my double for penalties! The opportunity to show my nine card spade suit had passed me by with a vengeance. I started off the defence of two hearts doubled with the ace of diamonds, followed by the ace and king of spades. South ruffed and led trumps to my partner's ace. I now managed to make my ten of trumps with a diamond ruff (note the trump promotion, students). After trumps were drawn, Gordon read the club situation correctly by running the jack through East, after the fall of the ten when he led a small club to the king (it must be my teaching that does it......) and ended up making his contract of two hearts doubled. Six spades by West makes unless a heart is led through East before the blocking ace of diamonds has been played, because the ace of hearts is your only entry to dummy to throw a loser on the king of diamonds. Several Wests made the small slam. There are no prizes for guessing who got the bottom score!

LOCAL NEWS Blewbury Congratulations to Pat East & Finn Clark for winning the Oxfordshire Simultaneous Pairs. Other top scorers in local clubs were: 4th Kieran Hearty & Ken Eaton (Wantage) and 7th Jean Squires & Isobel Townley-Freeman (Abingdon). Jean & Isobel have continued their recent good form by coming second in the Oxfordshire County Pairs. Well done! Wallingford Congratulations to the following winners of annual club competitions - Open Pairs: Debbie Roberts & Geoff Nicholas, Handicap Pairs: Richard & Carol Moore, Individual: Debbie Roberts, Handicap Individual: Jennie Griffiths, Most Improved Player: Jennie Griffiths, Binnemas Trophy for services to the club: Philip Simmonds.
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