Typically Australian aggressive outlook

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 12

Typically Australian aggressive outlook

The Australian Women’s National Team, as well as playing the test match against New Zealand, met a number of provincial sides during its stay in this country. By and large all matches were w.on fairly comfortably with the exception of a losing draw to Wellington. They defeated Canterbury by 151 to 47 international match points, and Otago-Southland by 131 to 68. In both matches the local players were far below their best form, no doubt over-awed by the occasion and the general air of confidence exuded by their opponents. There is no doubt however that the prevailing over-emphasis of match point scoring has affected the outlook of New Zealand players. Quite marked

differences of approach and attitude could be seen between the teams. This was an early example from the match' with OtagoSouthland. The dealer was West with both sides vulnerable: N. . A 7652 V J 10 ♦ KlO2 A Q 732 E. W. A 10 A AJB9 V A 8 7 5 VQ632 ♦ AQ98654 4 J 73 A 10 A J 8 S. A KQ43 V K 94 A AK9654 After two passes East for the local side elected to open one diamond. The general outlook of New Zealand players is to approach the bidding gently with the object of finding a major suit fit or, if one cannot be established, to explore the possibilities of playing in no trumps. East-West dulv found their fit in hearts i but arrived at the four level, pushed there to some extent by North-South interference. The declarer should certainly have made her contract, particularly when the opening lead from North was the jack of hearts, but she lost her way and eventually finished down one. The point is, however, that third in hand on the East cards the Australian never contemplated any other action than a preemptive opening bid of three diamonds. South’s double was optional and could be left in if her partner had no better choice of action. North, in fact, could see no reason to bid and so three diamonds doubled I became the final contract. When the declarer made an overtrick for a score of 870 her policy of making the .opponents guess had been vindicated. A second instance of this type occurred a little later on this deal:

N. A 4 V AJ 103 ♦ 6 A AQJ 10865 E. W. A AQJ73 A K 10 86 V 982 V 65 ♦ K 53 ♦ AJB72 A 43 A 92 S. A 952 V KQ74 ♦ Q 1094 A K 7 Again the local players approached the hand cautiously, to arrive at the best contract of four hearts. The defence could have cashed two aces against this but in fact made only one trick so that the declarer collected two comfortable over-tricks. At the other table, after a pass from the dealer West, the Australian North opened proceedings with the forthright bid of five clubs which passed out. With South holding perfectly fittings cards this contract was also made with ease. Again the policy of putting pressure on the opponents was adopted although it had little bearing on the final result in this case, it is not hard to visualise a situation where East-West though able to make 10 tricks in, say, spades would have been unable to enter the auction. Aggression of a different sort appeared on this last example: N. A AKJB V AQ3 ♦ 1052 A AlO3 W. E. A 76 4 A 10 92 V K 94 V J 62 4 AQ6 4 J 9873 A K 874 A 92 S. A Q 53 V 10 87 5 4 K 4 A QJ6S The weak no trump has many merits but probably a majority of players would have shirked from using it on the West hand with only their side vulnerable. Nevertheless the local West did open one no trump and North was not hard pressed to double. East rescued into two diamonds and now the Australian aggression appeared. South doubled with a hand on which she could certainly not be sure of

defeating the contract. Had the declarer, however, been somehow able to make eight tricks it would not have been a disaster for she had not been doubled into game. It was well worth the gamble therefore and, in fact, East did very well to collect six tricks and concede a penalty of 500 to Australia. One cannot help thinking that had East been able to call two of a major South would have been very reluctant to double for then she risked a game bonus should the contract be made. At the other table West also opened one no trump, North double and East again called two diamonds. When this was passed around to North she doubled a second time but instead of playing for the maximum, South called two hearts and ultimately made nine tricks for a score of 140.