Bridge pairs

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34131, 19 April 1976, Page 14

Bridge pairs

(Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON. The only certainty about the 1976 women's contract bridge trial in Wellington over Easter is that the top qualifiers will come from the ranks of experienced players rather than younger aspirants. With three rounds still to play, only six victory points separate three pairs, a situation that makes the most sustained trial yet staged to find a national team also the closest. At the end of round 12 yesterday, the top pairs were: Mrs F. Ewington and Mrs M. Hill (Central Districts), 161; Mrs H. O. Taylor (Auckland) and Mrs Z. Morris (Waikato-Bays), 159; Mrs V. Bell and Mrs N. Mather (Canterbury), 155. Much now depends on the draw and just as much on con-

sistency in the final stages of a tournament that began at noen on Friday and will end this afternoon. None of the pairs at the head of the table have obviously easy matches.

Mrs Tayl.or and Mrs Morris are drawn to meet Mrs Bell and Mrs Mather in the final round — a match that may well determine first place and automatic selection in the team that will represent New Zealand in Australia in the spring and in the Far East championships in Auckland in November.

Any surprise qualifiers must come from four pairs all still within striking distance of the top trio. They are: Mrs J. Barwick and Mrs A. Garland (Wellington), Mrs J. Heard (Auckland) and Mrs F. B. Miles (Waikato-Bays). 135 equal; Mrs M. J. Cunningham and Mrs R. J. Seeker (Auckland), 134.