MEET THE CLASS OF 2014!

Matamata Class of 2014
L to R Back Row: Barb Hodgkinson, Sherie Gill, Austin Brown, Adrian van Mil, Joe Keys, Mike Darragh, Maeleen Borkin, Donna Gaskell, Michele Liddle, Shirley Townsend.
Front Row: Pamela Clydesdale, Tracey Kerr, Marcia Vosper, Jane Stearns (Tutor, kneeling) Sandra Miller, Gary Rose, Patrica James. Graduates not pictured: Derek Clark, Sandra Harper-Clark, Roisin McQuillan
10 weeks of lessons, 2 weeks of Bid and Play practice, and one week of a mock up club evening saw our interpid beginners start their bridge journey at the club on Thursday night.
Meet your new members:
Tracey Kerr and Marie
Tracey came to lessons with her friend and fellow vet Roisin McQuillan. She missed a chunk of lessons whilst overseas, but with the aid of notes and Roisin helping to catch her up she has emerged a graduate of the class showing great promise in her game. Tracey's bubbliness and friendliness will be much loved by the club members and she has Marie Whaley assisting her in her first steps. Marie is quite new to bridge herself and there is nothing like a beginner aiding a beginner to show empathy as club play begins.
Anna and Donna Gaskell
As a tutor you know you have found a great potential player as well as trouble when you are asked questions at lesson 2 and you are struggling to answer! Donna has taken to the game like a duck to water and is being buddied by Anna Kalma. She got off to a flying start at her first night of club bridge finishing top of the room!
Tony and Patricia James
Patricia found a fellow countryman from the same part of the UK as herself for a buddy. With Tony Pearson partnering her they were clearly on the same wavelength finishing top NS in the nursery section on Thursday. Go Patricia!
Michele Liddle and Jan
Michele has a keen competitive streak and has already tried out some club play as well as taking an excellent third place in the recent Mini Moos tournament with fellow student Austin Brown. Showing great promise she has her buddy Jan Wills supporting her as she enters the club.
Jill and Pamela Clydesdale
Pamela quite simply has balls!!! Missing the first two lessons she came with a returnee to lessons from Te Aroha last year Shirley Townsend. Initial fears that she might find it hard to catch up and get going with her bridge were instantly dismissed. Pamela is an aggressive bidder, unafraid to leap into the auction and is clearly going to be a gambler and a force to reckon with!
Pamela's home club will be Te Aroha but she hopes to return regularly to Matamata on Thursday evenings with Shirley to consolidate and hone her bridge skills. Jill Ireland is Pamela's buddy and supporting her in the first series.
Anne and Sherie Gill
Sherie has been working hard in lessons and is showing great enthusiasm and promise in the game. Having played some cards before bridge has been a natural progression for Sherie that she has taken to easily. Anne Beetham has stepped forward to help Sherie as she progresses into club bridge.
Gary Rose and Ian
Gary has an excellent table manner. He laughs his way through his games and is sporting whether he is winning, losing or simply bewildered. Ian Martindale is taking care of Gary in his initial steps. Gary will have everyone at the club laughing with him in no time.
Helen and Maeleen Borkin
Maeleen is showing great promise as a bridge player, having previously played card games she has taken quickly to bridge. She took part in the first of the Mini Moos, is studying her bridge book and already showing her paces at the bridge table. Helen Reid is helping her on her bridge journey.
Ian and Austin Brown
Austin has been a very conscientious student, always working at his homework and taking a 3rd place with fellow student Michele Liddle at the recent Mini Moos tournament without playing a single hand of club bridge. He even postponed his holiday to be able to play with his esteemed buddy Ian Bond.
Laurie and Barb Hodgkinson
Barb is lulling people into a false sense of security at the table by acting as if uncertain. In fact she has an excellent grasp and previous card playing experience is seeing her quietly sneak up on opponents and surprise them. Definitely one to watch!! The brass band committee had to play second to bridge classes as she did not want to miss the start and any "Pearls of Wisdom". Pearls or not ... Barb is going well with her bridge with Laurie Belfield taking her on her first steps at club play.
Mike Darragh and Sandra Miller
Mike and Sandra came to bridge as a group of four friends with Derek Clark and Sandra Harper-Clark. Although Derek and Sandra graduated, they are so busy with their business currently they have had to put their entry to club play on hold. Whenever students arrive with very little knowledge or background in cards I am always amazed when they complete the course. To have a starting point of not even holding a hand of cards or sorting them into suits let alone knowing what a trump is ... a longer journey is needed. I have nothing but sheer admiration for the grit and determination shown by Mike and Sandra in sticking at it, practising at home, and coming through the lessons as graduates of the class of 2014. Needing nurturing and patience on their journey they have Judith Howard and Joanne Swannick encouraging them and helping them on their way.
A Family Affair!
With his wife and daughter already avid bridge players Joe had little choice but to succumb and take his place at the bridge table too! Joe has gone well at lessons and with the extra help available within the family he is going from strength to strength. He has both Raewyn and Barbara to buddy him so his future looks very bright!