Richard was born in early 1965 in Chester. He moved around the country a fair amount as a child, finally residing in London in 1984. Self taught bridge player at the age of 15 (Waddingtons teach yourself bridge) he played rubber bridge for a year solidly at the London School of Bridge then took a sabbatical from the game for 6 years, playing only occasional kitchen bridge, literally. In 1991 he met and partnered Steve Root, soon winning the regional heat of the National Newcomers pairs (8 weeks into their partnership) success in the National Newcomers Final followed the following year.
Richard was a frequent traveller to foreign shores as a result of his job and as such built up many lasting bridge friendships.
Foreign tournaments were always high on Richard’s agenda.
Notable successes;
(2001) 5th European Pairs Consolation Final with Andrew McIntosh
(2009) 2nd in the star studded Icelandair Open Teams 2009 playing with Simon Cope, Catherine Seale & David Gold.
Wins in teams and pairs events in Ireland and Switzerland respectively.
Domestically Richard won a number of events including the Hubert Phillips Bowl & the Punchbowl @ the Spring Fours as well as numerous successes in both teams and pairs at county level. He had some experience of captaincy having been NPC of a winning Middlesex Tollemache team.
The Hubert Phillips Bowl Winner: 2009 2011 and 2012
Tollemache Cup winner: 2013 and 2014