I am married to Bernard and have enjoyed playing bridge with him for 30 years. I have two married children boy/girl and 6 wonderful grandchildren who keep me busy. My other hobby is golf, handicap 20.
I first played with Michelle 20 years ago. in Lady Milne and more recently in last Olympiad then there were 2 Europeans, Salt Lake City and the last 2 Venice Cups. In 1993 I won the bronze medal in Common Market mixed teams with Michelle, Bernard and John Holland.
After further enquiry she adds:
I was born in Manchester, and lived here all my life (not very exciting). I am the middle one of three girls. On a rainy day I like to shop. Bernard is a retired Chartered Accountant. I was a Secretary but have not worked for some time. I prefer to play golf. At the moment I am trying to learn more about using a computer. I don't collect anything though Alan Mould thinks I collect handbags. I started playing Bridge in 1966 at local evening school but only played socially until I met and married Bernard in 1975. Most exciting bridge result was probably winning the first pairs event (at the Blackpool congress) I ever played in with Bernard in 1975, although I am sure it actually was winning the gold in the European in 2001. I am hoping to teach some of my grandchildren to play mini bridge during the Summer holidays.
Rhona gave us this lovely hand which shows her in action in the World Team Championships:
Dealer East. E/W Vul - England v Germany
Dealer East. E/W Vul - England v Germany |
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9 8 3 | ||||||
 |
Q 9 6 | ||||||
 |
J 8 2 | ||||||
 |
A J 5 4 | ||||||
| |
Q | |
A 6 4 | ||||
| |
4 | |
A K J 10 8 2 | ||||
| |
A 10 9 5 | |
K 7 3 | ||||
| |
Q 10 9 8 7 3 2 | |
K | ||||
| |
K J 10 7 5 2 | ||||||
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7 5 3 | ||||||
| |
Q 6 4 | ||||||
| |
6 | ||||||
| West | North | East | South |
| Brunner | Auken | Goldenfield | v. Arnim |
| 1 |
2
|
||
| Pass | Pass | Dble | Pass |
| 3 |
Pass | 4 |
All Pass |
Von Arnim led her singleton club against four hearts and Auken took her ace and switched to the . Goldenfield won in hand with the king, ruffed a spade in dummy and then ruffed a club with the . Three rounds of trumps followed and the defence could win and cash a spade, but declarer's losing diamond went away on dummy's , so England scored +620.
| West | North | East | South |
| Weber | Smith | Gromann | Dhondy |
| 1 |
2
|
||
| Pass | Pass | Dble | Pass |
| 4 |
Pass | 4 |
All Pass |
Dhondy also led her club, but Smith returned the suit at trick two and Dhondy ruffed when Gromann discarded a diamond. Her diamond switch was won in hand by declarer who continued by ruffing a spade in dummy. She then discarded her remaining spade on the a as Dhondy ruffed again. However, there was still a trump trick to lose, so declarer was one down for +100 and 12 IMPs to England, who now led 25-0.
Major International Appearances
Women's European Championships: 2001* 2002 2004 and 2006
Venice Cup: 2001 2003 2005 and 2007
Women's World Olympiad: 2000 and 2004
* = 1st place
Lady Milne selections: 1984 1994 2001 and 2002
National Teams Congress winner: 1984
The Hubert Phillips Bowl Winner: 1984 1999 and 2003