This year’s Lederer is the first since Colin Freeman’s death last year. He did invaluable work helping to get the competition established at the RAC and smoothing things for us here. One of the highlights of the event each year for many of us was meeting him again. Colin we miss your warmth, kindness and unfailing courtesy, things aren’t the same without you.
Ireland still ahead by 10 VPs over Harris still second after match 5. Gillis back to third.
Good defence from Sabine Auken on Board 25 in Match 3. She and Roy Welland did well initially to push the opps up to 3 spades on the auction below.
Welland leads to AH then small to Auken’s KH. She switches to a small diamond to Welland’s king which Palma wins. He now plays trumps. Auken ducks the first spade, takes the second, cashes the QD and gives Welland a ruff to defeat the contract. Thanks to BBO operator Ryan Stephenson for pointing this one out.
Ireland have a 14 VP lead over Harris who are now in second. Black Adders in third.
Very interesting hand in the first match. Half the field were in slam but 4 of the 5 pairs were either in a hopeless 6H or were playing the contract with south as declarer getting the obvious lead of singleton JH.
Well done to Nicolai Heiberg-Evenstad and Thor Erik Hoftaniska from the de Botton team who right-sided 6S so it was played by North. Auction below. It’s still a bit tricky to make if East leads a heart but underleading Kxxx is pretty unappealing so not a great surprise Ben Norton chose a different lead!
Defending champions Ireland are now leading with Periculo in second and Harris third.
Periculo take an early lead after a good win over Dyson. De Botton second, Gillis third.
Play has started at this year’s competition! On BBO currently Ireland (Holders) v Black Adders and de Botton v Intercontinentals.
Lederer Trophy 