You just can’t get the help these days! or How many cliches fit in a bridge hand

Peter Grice gives an insight into the recent Teltscher Trophy, hosted by the EBU in Cambourne, Cambridge:

 

When Gordon Rainsford phoned me to ask if I knew anyone in the Cambridge area who might help out at the Teltscher Trophy as VuGraph operators or even as Match Manager … or maybe even do that myself, I thought “How hard can it be” Of course it was a cunning plan and I had fallen into the trap.

Fast forward to the event – one of my roles was to decide which matches to feature on VuGraph. We had only enough volunteers cover one match, but hopefully, we would do it right. I went with Wales v Ireland in Match 1 so we could cover Scotland v England in Match 2. After that we would follow the money VPs. Things went viral Saturday evening (well, at least 2 comments on RealBridge) about a -900 score that was unlucky not to gain an IMP or 3. Now, we can bring you the true(ish) story. Names have not been changed to protect the innocent.

For the penultimate board of Match 2 the Great Dealer produced this: Match2-B31

Tournament Director: Jonathan Lillycrop

Event: Teltscher Trophy 2026; Match 2 (with screens) Board: 31

(1) 3NT: On the card as a solid minor.
(2) 4♥: ? a solid major? – 4♥ thus Pass or correct

Lead: ♣6

Result at table 1: 4♥-9 S    N/S -900

Jim McMenemy trusted his partner Paul Maiolani – 4H was, systemically, to play. Alan Mould had an obvious Double and John Holland clearly nothing to add. No double, no trouble ???? East-West can, and quickly do, make 12-tricks with Hearts as trumps. A small slam in Diamonds is also available to E/W.

At table 3 Norman Selway and Kay Preddy faced Brian Short and Alan Goodman. Could Brian & Alan pull things out of the fire? Sadly not; this was the auction.

(1)    Could be 2; 5cM, 15-17 NT
    
Lead: ♣K

The play was unremarkable – 10 IMPs to England. The diamond slam was found at both tables when Ireland hosted EBU for a flat board. N Ireland and Wales traded red-suit games (each making 12-tricks) for 2 IMPs to N Ireland.

It was a real privilege to be a first time Match Manager and work with Heather Sanderson, before, and TDs Jonathan and Rachel Lillycrop, during, the event. Many thanks to a great team of VuGraph operators; Ben, Dido, Edward, Graham, John and Lily – most of them doing it for their first time. Team captains were very complimentary at the final dinner which the whole team greatly appreciated. Jonathan Mestel from the EBU team, however, sang - a rendition of “I bid it my way” something I will never forget.