As for last year, more than 20 Peninsula players attended the 2018 Coffs Coast Congress in Coffs Harbour in mid August to challenge bridge players from across Australia. The event again filled very quickly and those fortunate to attend experienced superb weather, a great venue, a well-organised event, and some tough bridge.
The congress comprised two major events, a two day Swiss Pairs followed by a two day Swiss Teams. Peninsula players held a dinner out between the two events.
This year we had a number of Peninsula's players playing in higher fields than previously, with a number of pairs having gained more masterpoints over the year. In the Open Swiss Pairs we had two pairs finishing in the top half of the open field: David Farmer and Cath Whiddon finished 14th out of 122 and Margaret and Michael Draper finished 40th. In the Intermediate/restricted field (<1000MPs) we had several finishing in the top half of the combined intermediate/restricted field: Alan Davies and Vivien Eldridge finished 11th out of 92, Clare Filmer-Ransay and Cassandra Mitchell 22nd, Kelly Barber and David Owen 34th, Peter Clarke and Hans van Weeren 35th, Faye Carnovale and Chris Duggin 41st and John and Margaret Rogers 42nd.
We did not so well in the Open Swiss Teams with no Peninsula player, I think, ending up in the top half of the field. However in the Intermediate Teams field we had some great success with three of our members Faye Carnovale, Chris Duggin and Gillian Richmond, combining with Penny Cockbill to come second overall. Not far behind in fourth place were members Peter Clarke and Hans van Weeren playing with their regular team mates Jill Benkey and Jeff Conroy. In 8th place were four of our members: Alan Davies, Vivien Eldridge, and John and Margaret Rogers. And in 17th place in the field, and 3rd within the Restricted Category were members Marieta Borthwick and Annegrete Kolding, playing with team-mates L and M Brassil.
In addition to the competitive aspect, this was a great time - fun was had! You can check the full results and bulletins and also check the photos I have (and add your own.)
