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There have been a number of opportunities for bridge players to continue playing in the comfort of their own house recently.

Thanks to Peter Daffurn and Judith Howard who have been organising club matches on BBO and arranging access and instruction for those wanting to get online.

Along with regular twice daily New Zealand online tournaments arranged by Auckland Bridge Club. The Waikato Bays are slowly setting themselves up with other options to play. Keep an eye on the Waikato bays website with other opportunities to play.

We will be holding Piako Bridge Matches this week on BBO … on Tuesday night at 7pm and 1pm on Friday.

These are for piako bridge club members or neighbouring clubs only.

These tournaments will be hosted by akalma and be named 'Piako NZ' or something similar.

Judith and Peter are also keeping a register of everyones bbo usernames to enable partnerships and registration for club specific competitions. If you want to play or learn how to get onto bbo contact Judith.

IF you are new to BBO there is a number of instructive information on how to bid/alert and undo your bids online... http://www.nzbridge.co.nz/latest-updates,listing,6038,new-to-bridge-base...

Hi all

Based on recommendations from NZ Bridge and the ever evolving situation both Te Aroha and Matamata bridge clubs have made the decision to temporarily shut up shop from all bridge for the next three weeks- club sessions, lessons and tournaments for at least 3 weeks.

There will be no more bridge sessions at Matamata but Te Aroha will play a last hurrah on Friday afternoon the 20th March before shutting up shop.

We will monitor the situation and keep our members informed. As well as looking for alternative ways of carrying on with the game we enjoy - perhaps through house bridge or technology.

Please see below the link to NZ Bridge's latest advisory: http://www.nzbridge.co.nz/latest-updates,listing,6003,coronavirus--bulle...

And keep linked to the NZ Bridge website for further updates (as will we at the bridge clubs).

The key thing is about protecting our members in the short term … while we look forward to returning back to bridge in the medium term.

The first WAP kicked off in Matamata today with a good crowd of 17 tables.

Well done to Kathy and Mike who took out the first WAP of the year with a stonking 73% in the morning and 65 in the afternoon. It was a good day for Matamata with Ian and Lynette taking second and Joy Williams and Michelle Liddle who had a great first section took out the top Junior Junior pairs.

Winner: First place Kathy and Mike

Ian and Lynette

top junior pair: Joy and Michelle `

Matamata Bridge Club kicked off their social holiday bridge on Monday afternoons from 6th January onwards at 1pm for anybody interested - just turn up and we will guarantee a partner.

Wednesday Holiday Bridge starts on Wednesday 15th January from 1pm - 4pm.

Te Aroha also starts back in their social holiday bridge programme - both Tuesday evenings (7pm) and Friday afternoons (from 11.30am) started the week beginning 6th January. No partner necessary just turn up!

Matamata Bridge Club kicked off their social holiday bridge on Monday afternoons from 6th January onwards at 1pm for anybody interested - just turn up and we will guarantee a partner.

Wednesday Holiday Bridge starts on Wednesday 15th January from 1pm - 4pm.

Te Aroha also starts back in their social holiday bridge programme - both Tuesday evenings (7pm) and Friday afternoons (from 11.30am) started the week beginning 6th January. No partner necessary just turn up!

Lesley Quilty was deservedly given life membership at the Matamata Bridge Club at the prizegiving recently.

Lesley Quilty

The following chronicles her work and history with the club and the game of bridge in the region.

Lesley joined the Matamata Bridge Club in 1970 after attending lessons. Within 2 years she won her first Open Championship. Over the years she has won many tournaments including the New Zealand Women’s Pairs in 1995 and 1996 and The New Zealand Senior Teams to name but a few.

Lesley has represented Waikato in the New Zealand Women’s Interprovincial Championships with both Sonia Crawford and Desma
Dickinson, indeed winning the event once with Sonia.

She became Matamata’s first Grandmaster in 2008.

From an early stage Lesley became involved in club matters and for
many years did the scoring on Monday Nights. Scoring in the past was done without the aid of computers and calculators and was an extremely skilled task.

Lesley was Club President when our clubrooms were extended. She and husband Jim donated a very generous sum to this project and her keen administrative skills ensured an extremely successful outcome.
Lesley has served on the Matamata Committee for most of her playing career in addition to representing our club and the wider Bridge playing community on the Waikato/Bays Centre for many years, only stepping down recently.

Her donation of the Quilty Tray promoting teams events is a legacy for club members and visitors from the Waikato to enjoy.
Lesley and Sonia offered improver lessons and she has always been willing to help members improve and develop their bidding and playing techniques.

Lesley’s deep freeze must be bottomless. On every occasion when catering is required the first person to offer has always been Lesley. Crockpots full of soup, slices and savouries are appreciated by everyone.

Her name is synonymous with Matamata - when you say you belong to Matamata people straight away connect with Lesley’s name.
In recognition of outstanding service and commitment over many years, the Committee has great pleasure in nominating Mrs Lesley Quilty for Life Membership of The Matamata Bridge Club.

The motion is seconded by Mrs Sonia Crawford.

28 November 2019

Life Members

Well done Lesley - here she is with the two other life members of the club Sonia Crawford and Ann Ring.

At Matamata's AGM and prizegiving there was a few special people recognised for their outstanding service and performance to bridge.

Kathy received official recognition of her achievement by reaching Gold Grand Master status a couple of months ago when awarded her gold plaque that will likely hang proudly next to Kens. There are just 40 Gold Grand Masters in New Zealand and just 7 of these are women. Well done Kathy!

Kathy gets her gold plaque

And joining an even more exclusive group was Lesley Quilty who became Matamata's life member joining Ann Ring and Sonia Crawford. Lesley has been active in the club and Waikato Bays in a number of roles over the many many years she has played bridge. Great to see her service recognised.

Life Members

Also Christmas Parties coming up:

MATAMATA CHRISTMAS CHEER
Wednesday 4 December
Finger food for a shared lunch.
$5 optional Gift exchange.
Wear Christmassy colours.

THURSDAY 12 December
Xmas Party
Pot luck dinner 6pm
Partners welcome. Please indicate on list in Clubrooms number attending so we can set the appropriate number of places at the table.
Dinner will be followed by prizegiving and Bridge for those who wish to stay.
Again wear Xmas Colours.

TE AROHA
Tuesday Night the 3rd December.

5.30 drinks followed by prizegiving, dinner and then bridge. Welcome all full and associate members and those who have helped out during the year to fill tables!

Members - Bring a plate (but discuss with Laurie to ascertain whether vegetable, salad or dessert!)

Barbara and Joe Keys were celebrated last week at both Matamata and Te Aroha clubs for reaching their Diamond Anniversary ... that is 60 years married.

Congratulations to the Keys:)

jo and barbara

Barbara and Joe Keys were celebrated last week at both Matamata and Te Aroha clubs for reaching their Diamond Anniversary ... that is 60 years married.

Congratulations to the Keys:)

jo and barbara

Barbara and Joe Keys were celebrated last week at both Matamata and Te Aroha clubs for reaching their Diamond Anniversary ... that is 60 years married.

Congratulations to the Keys:)

jo and barbara