Saxon Teams

Tonight was the final of the Saxon Teams at Te Aroha - it is now a highlight in the Te Aroha Bridge Programme and it is especially poignant as we pay tribute to Greg Saxon who died close on a year ago.

Again we enjoyed a full room of 10 tables over the three week competition - not bad for a club with only 34 home members - although we have all our supporting clubs to thanks for boosting the numbers (the Christmas Party invitation will be forthcoming!!)

The competition was running in parallel to the Bridge World Championships in Poland so we were all given a participating country to adopt and national emotions were running hot on the final night...

Italy

In the end the successful team was Italy - well done Victor Kooter, Charlotte Jager, Stephen Lovelock and Shirley Townsend!

Japan

Runners up were Japan...

Netherlands

Best dressed was the Netherlands

Laurie the Pole,in the spirit of things

Special mentions went to Laurie for getting into the spirit of things (at least two bottles of Polish Vodka was distributed over the evening!) Ari Rigter impressed with his full Chinese garb and Dutch team looked the part (not so unusual since they are all Dutch!)

Pope (aka Adri Rigter) blesses the cards

Switzerland: Early favourites Switzerland failed to fire but had a lot of fun.

France: Top qualifiers France couldn't live up to the pre tournament hype

China: The Chinese finished bottom of their qualifying group and Ari Rigter was given special mention for his get up:)

Russians: The Russians spent most of the tournament competing directly with the Poles... same food, same vodka ... but much better furry hats

Australia: Australia didn't disappoint - they lived up to their billing ... great food. nice legs and some bonza bridge

Spain: They looked harmless enough - but gee the Spainish team was stacked with experience who had travelled from across the great divide (ie other side of Waharoa) to deal a whupping to many of us unsuspecting Te Aroha members. As they bought wine - we will welcome them back...

Our Polish president Tim versaus the Italian Charlotte

France: This is a much better picture of France but still missing Mme Rochelle