BRIDGE CHAMPIONS IN OLYMPIC TEST

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12825, 21 August 1939, Page 6

BRIDGE CHAMPIONS IN OLYMPIC TEST

AUSTRALIAN SECTION Two Sydney women, Mrs C. Rumble, of Coogee, and Mrs E. G. (Irene) Allan, of Bondi, have been advised by the American Olympic Committee that they are the winners of the North-South positions of the Australian section of the World Olympic Bridge Championship. The winners of the world title are still unannounced so the Australians are possible candidates. The competition was played in April, but only recently the news of their success has been received. Mrs J. B. Fielder, of David Jones, is the Sydney organiser of the championships. 9 “When I was told we had won,” she said, “it took me quite a long time to realise it was true.” Until the evening when they were so successful, the two women had never played a hand of contract bridge together. They met a quarter of an hour before they sat down at the bridge table and both announced simultaneously that they played the same game—Culbertson straight. The way the championship is arranged is quite a romance'. At the same time all over the world the same hands are being played. The cards arrived in Sydney by ship in } sealed envelopes which were opened by the players 911 commencing, so that every person playing north in the championship, no matter whereabout on the globe he or she was, found the same cards, to be dealt with.. There were twenty hands in all, and the gam© went on from eight in the evening until midnight. The competitors had to record every lead arid every card on a huge sheet of paper. “There are three essentials for successful play in bridge,” said Mrs Rumble. “Firstly, to have accurate valuation, then correct information, and finally absolute confidence in one’s partner.” Although they had not played together previously, Mrs Rumble and Mrs Allan knew each other well. Both have taken bridge seriously for a number of years; Mrs Allan for eleven years has made a study of the game and gives weekly radio broadcasts, and Mrs Rumble has been playing since she was about ten years old. "Contract is a game for adults, and I think girls leaving school should be very good at it,” said Mrs

Allan. “It is taught in a lotolb ishing schools and is a .definite ifcomplishment for the girl In Iff later teens.” Mrs Rumble admitted that hridp is absolutely life for her, “I came! put anything before it," she tili with a smile, “though, of couraal see that everything in my home !i as it should be— bridge is not & main thing, there. .My special p sion is for doubling.” This is by no means their first« —each has taken many prizes-, But they love the game for CTI sake—not for the winning. ways happy,” Mrs Rumble & “whether I win or lose. That s only possible attitude to tale- I