The winning team from the House of Lords -
Baroness Blackstone, Lord Kalms, Baroness Henig,
John Deech, Lord Harrison, Lord Skelmersdale, The
Earl of Caithness, Baroness Billingham (seated),
Baroness Byford (seated)
THE 41st annual match between the House of
Lords and the House of Commons took place
on 4 November, and was won by a large margin
by the team representing the Upper House.
Aggregate scoring was used, and over 24 boards
they finished 2940 ahead. The winning team is
pictured above.
This broke a run of victories for the team
from the House of Commons, and the House
of Lords now lead the series 22-19.
The event was sponsored by Lord Kalms, and
organised by the two captains, Baroness Henig,
and Bob Blackman MP.
The Tony Berry Trophy for the best played
hand was judged by England international
Tom Townsend, and presented to Tony
McWalter of the House of Commons team.
The hands were set by Paul Bowyer, and his
fun and educational commentary is available
from http://tinyurl.com/q4ymvhk
25
February 2016 English Bridge
gave his partner a spade ruff. With the tA still to
come, that was one down. For Earl Chiltern, whose
tendency to bid too much when vulnerable had led
to the phrase The Chiltern Hundreds, this was a
good result.
A little later I saw the board being played at
another table (for you this will be a second reading).
The Countess in the West seat smiled at me. She had
a roving eye and rumour had it that she was not
averse to a Squeeze without the Count. The EBU
lawyers tell me that I should not give her name;
never mind, I expect you will be able to find it on
some social media site.
The bidding took a different course.
West North East South
Countess CP Lord Y CoWaM
1´ Dble 2™
3® Pass Pass 3™
Pass 3´ Pass 4™
Dble All Pass
Lord Yarborough, whose hand was much stronger
than usual, ventured a take-out double on the East
cards. North-South then had a full and frank
exchange of views, ending at Four Hearts.
'That's what we call a filibuster auction,' South
told me, as he placed his 4™ bid on the table. 'It goes
on and on and on until the time runs out.'
The Countess slapped down a double card. 'And
that's what we call a Motion of No Confidence,' she
said. She led the ®K and the erstwhile Coalition
Partner - known as Dummy - laid out his hand.
Declarer, the Chairman of Ways and Means,
considered his ways and means, eventually playing
low from both hands. He won the club continuation
and played the ™K.
Continued overleaf
Tony McWalter receives the Tony Berry Trophy for
the best played hand from Tom Townsend
S The House
of
Commons