David Jones, Non-Playing Captain for the Seniors Team at the European National Team Championships writes about the team's progress at the tournament:
The England Senior team lie in 7th place at the moment and have had a consistent two days.
Following a win against Denmark and a narrow loss to Bulgaria on day 4 we have had 5 consecutive wins against Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Estonia and Latvia.
The following hand came up in the first match today (Monday) against the host nation:
T63
AT9852
K75
6
A54
QJ
AT
AKQJ98
Kay and Norman bid as follows
2c 2d
2h 2s
2nt 4c
4nt 5c
6h
This was artificial up to 2nt which showed 23/24 upgraded for the clubs and 4c showed hearts.
The play is interesting on a spade lead. You win the ace and must play some clubs to dispose of the spades the second stands up but the third club is ruffed on your left so you overruff. Now cash HA both follow and enter dummy with DK to lead a 4th club winner ruffed low on your left and you overruff (leaving just the HK out) continue with DA diamond ruff with the HQ and now a 5th club disposes of your spade loser with just the HK to lose.