Matamata 5A Open event

After a few last minute dropouts due to frosty conditions, an eventual turnout of 12 tables competed at the Matamata 5A Open in the weekend. The field was a mix of veteran locals and enthusiastic intermediates who mixed it with some of the best in the region which included NZ representatives and NZ's newest Grandmaster in Yuzhong Chen.

The director was Rona Driscoll and she wisely decided against going for three sessions opting for a 28 board Mitchell in the morning and splitting the field into two Howell sections playing 33 boards in the afternoon.

Top of the billing at the lunch break was Yuzhong Chen and Herman Yuan who sat East West and Kate McFadyen and Gwynn Lobb who took NS honours.

The afternoon's play had Karen Harris and Ian Clayton top of Section A howell and locals Lesley Quilty and Heather Kneebone taking honours at the other side of the room.

Once weightings had been added to take into account the differing number of boards played in each session; the overall victors were Karen Harris and Ian Clayton from Hamilton, Christine and Jenna Gibbons came in second and the best locals Heather Kneebone and Lesley Quilty finished in third place.

Apologies for the lack of photo's of the day and those who finished on the podium ... The lure of the roast dinner and a glass of wine at the RSA following play took precedence over the need to record events for prosperity!

Results available via the results tab: http://www.piako.bridge-club.org/resultmam