The day after the drama of the Ashes test, battle was resumed over bridge tables at Lord’s as the Marylebone Cricket Club (Bridge Society) secured a comfortable victory over Melbourne Cricket Club (the other MCC). The teams of 16 match – very much a friendly – was the third encounter between the clubs, all won so far by the Marylebone club. The winning margin for the home team was almost recording-breaking, falling just short of a triple century (of IMPs). The director, the EBU’s Jonathan Lillycrop, was naturally impeccably neutral, being a citizen of both the UK and Australia.
The iconic Bridge Ashes trophy - a box containing the charred remains of playing cards - was duly presented to MCC Bridge Society Chair Simon Alterman. But tradition dictates that it goes straight back to Australia, while MCC keeps that other Ashes urn in the museum at Lord’s. A return match is now scheduled in Melbourne at the end of 2025, with the home team hoping that MCC will struggle in Australian conditions. Challenge accepted.
Photos:
- Above left, MCC Bridge Society Chair Simon Alterman receives the Bridge Ashes trophy from Helen Fitzpatrick of Melbourne
- Above right, Players are not distracted by the cricket