Sometimes I think it is my destiny to play Meckwell every event I enter. So it seemed when the Open GNT team of Bob and Cindy Balderson, Paul Meerschaert, Carole Miner, Bill Kent and Peggy Kaplan began to battle. We faced the defending champions the last match of our Swiss Team qualifier - and 26 IMPS rode on whether Bill and I arrived in a slam that made - or went down. Alas; we choose poorly with the latter, and instead of a win by 2, we only earned one VP for the match.
Now, instead of being the fourth seeded team, and having an opportunity to choose our opponents the next day, we would be among the chosen. It's a grisley process. The teams who get to choose examine the final 8 qualifiers, deciding which among them is the least tough. I stood next to Larry Cohen as he perused the field. As the second seed, one team had been eliminated. Larry pointed fingers at the roster, and eliminated contenders: "We're not selecting Joe Grue. We're not picking Dan Morse."
His finger rested on our team.
My fingers got busy.
"Look at that team!" I exclaimed. "Yes, they've got one excellent player. But I never heard of any of the others. That's who you should pick."
It didn't work. After a short meeting with his teammates, Larry delivered the grim news. "Sorry, Peggy. We're picking you."
Well. There was nothing left to do but beat the defending champions. And, as ylou know, that is exactly what our team did.
Paul Meerschaert has written a nice long article about his preparation for the event, and how our team managed to beat the team that twice in a row won Open GNT. What Paul may not tell you is how supportive and positive our team was.
In the beginning, we were down a bit, then had a nice pickup the second set. Our third set, Bill and I seemed to have hand after hand where we went down in slam when trumps failed to split - including one gruesome hand where we reached the five level and signed off and yes; 4-1 trump scuttled that one, too. When our Precision opponents didn't reach it, we suffered a game swing.
With one set to go, we hung on to the tiniest of leads: one IMP. Who should play our last set?
Bill and I have worked long and hard on our partnership. But, we are humble and realistic to appreciate when our teammates are doing their best and are hot! Cindy and Carole and Bob and Paul were - so, they were the two pairs in for our last 16 hands.
"Hot" doesn't describe how awesome they were! They battered two of the toughest pairs in bridge, Meckwell and Berkowitz-Cohen. At the end, my words to Larry Cohen were prophetic; he really should have selected another team!
Here is Paul's article. I thank him for it, and great friends and competitors for a super-fun day.
Oh, Go for it Peg...Every move you make
Every breath you take...Ah'll be watchin' you !! (That is if you are on BBO!!)
Janice Thomson in Ayr, Bonnie Scotland
Posted by: Janice Thomson | July 30, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Fantastic job, guys, I am truly giddy with excitement over your win.
Excellent article, Paul, I was hoping to get those kind of juicy details.
Posted by: Richard Lawson | July 31, 2009 at 02:06 PM