By Nigel Seller USH eves rvere still smiling even nugh they went home without the Catudis (Cup The an of Frienship) Trophy cup of k their friendly international match ith England, played at Manchester ritge Club. Ireland were defending the ? the:v won last year in Dublin, in the rst of n'hat will surely be a long and friendship iryable series. fhe programme notes pointed out that hnchester has special links with dand, so great effort had gone on for nre months to ensure the success of is rcpla1-. floweth over Ih Manchester CBA organising com- ats nith its indefatigable chairman, other half of the Irish Open Team, Tom rir Cmuie, had masterminded all of Hanlon and Hugh McGann, playing DealerN Q AI92 : plans for accommodation, hosts, their famous 'Carrot Club' system. V NONC Their E/W VUI ryfit, entertainment and the certain- table presence, humour and sheer enjoy- o AKQIes3 d r-elcome for our guests. The EBU ment of the game was a joy. playing QAK d CBAI had done more than their against Andrew Dyson and Glyn rre and Jeff Morris' generous sponsor- Liggins, however, it was surprising that rip rr'as rewarded as the weekend they missed the Grand Slam (Hinlon $ [rrrrrr66$fi frlded. West, Liggins North): \a/ fhe r,r'arm atmosphere that pervaded i |';u Zti:'r' ff's club after the Irish was arrival a- 187 6 4 4 ficed by many and the match Dealer w Q108s3 was v 1063 V AKTs ryed in a relaxed and friendly spirit. E/W Vul ople n'ho shy away from playing in o I10 O None 753 e tigger tournaments, complaining of * ii 10863 nannered prima donnas, should have €D present. It would have restored $ l;:" I",il,,, North South !- faith in the game at the top level. d>n$ 2e 2q o Ae864 \O/: Reasonable? (1) EDdand wcin a shade cosily +Oa - aOe 5NT Any chosen ls, maybe because of the strengh in I*r, 74 method pth of the team.,The match format i KQ32 (1) Grand Slam Force uld have been an advantage V7 to the other civic dignitaries turned out, hilari- m side because of this factor. There v 13 ous speeches were made, songs were lre two pools !D of three categories of KQt0s42 sung and wine and ale flowed.-Tender rss, with open, ladies and juniors in embraces and fond farewells and every e, and county, club and officials - in the West North East South Mancunian was proud. E. Each team played the others in iO 24(1) 4SQ) 5* yo(3) Reporting on last year's match, peter ir pool but played twice against their No 50 No Stocken wrote that on Ieaving: ,,The rect counterparts. scores 60 All were thought of us all was, why hadn,t we 1 Slightly trEtated. weak 2 done this before?" The coiresponding UI tlre Engtsh teams contributed well 2 Very strong, spade void 3 Thought to show club ace thought this year was: "We musi continl th roring, but the best score record- ue to do it!" So come ye back! Many a either side was the o by Irish offi- tn the replay, despite a mp.iad of cue door will be left op"n in Manchesier, b n'Iro contributed 74 YPs out of the bids, the contract was the same 60, for a until our friends from across the water rsible 120. Perhaps it was a bit of the let off. In fact a 'Grand' was not found at return. I blarney that when one was asked, lnarry tables. One notable exception was hat_svstem do you play?" the reply Bill Hirst, -Strong who was in 7i with the N/S o no trump, Stayman and cards for the county team. He was diable explanations" pleased to get out fo'r. -t+OO and even lL English Juniors performed well more pleased when team mates success- The Results... qhort the weekend but they didn't fully negotiated"T0 for +2140. rtngp all their own way in the match Digressing slightly, at the start of the Results (England first): Open the Irish Open 6g- s Team. This was open match, with a crowd assembled to 56; Ladies 68-45; Juniors 71-47; match (9-21) -o\'losing and it was watch, Mr Liggins turned to me and said County 68-53; Ctub 68-34; Officiats fuf to some tight play by Rory that he'd read one of mv Manchester 60-74; Totats 403-309. iin and Paddy Walsh for treland Newsletter the previous ,,tt helped irst the Hackett twins. Nothing me get "ignt. a good night's sleep." I don't - English Teams: Open, Andrew Dyson, d to go right for the Hacketts. For know what he meant by that... Glyn Liggins, Phil King, Neil Rosen; rfle ttey bid to a perfectly reason- The pig of the weekend is shown at L-adies, Sandy Davies, Carole Kelly, tr.ll slam, which was generally the top of the next column. Michele Handley, Sandra Landy; Junior's, Jeffrey lL6- L-nfortunately, due to-their bici- Have working out what happens Allerton, Tom Townsend. Jason lun Hackett, it was played 'the wrong to 7l or 70, or 7NT Justin Hackett; County, Bernard 3qf5tem, for that matter!-Some Goldenfield, making it easier for the open- got a favourable Rhona Goldenfietd. John 7_{. lead in 7l or ZNT, to Hassett. Bill Hirst; to break the contract. The Club, Kevin Comrie. ;Lrder make the contract. Others were mutter- D9s O'Sullivan, lrving sbould be happy enough Btakey, Joy Blakey; with ing about computer dealt hands. Officials, Gerard Faulkner, Jefi Morris, -5 77 it t btal of YPs, rop score for So it was off to the banquet on the Sandra Penfold, Peter Stocken; NpC, hFth*te- 9gnd,ay night. The Lord Mayor of John Williams. rs dnzrs a pleasure to watch the Manchester, the MP for Withington and ENcr-rsuBnrocr, Apr1l1994 page 7.