In the run up to Christmas, Ross Bridge Club members sacrificed the intensity of their Duplicate Bridge programme to celebrate Christmas and the conclusion of another sociable year, through some friendly Chicago Bridge rivalry.

The Club's main Christmas party attracted 58 members and some fun Bridge and an equally enjoyable buffet supper, provided by Denise Robertson and her team, made for a lively and meaningful occasion.

Success in Chicago Bridge depends upon a rare combination of 'much luck and fine judgment', and Anne Stirrup found herself displaying spade-loads of both to take home the Champers, with Cheryl Rowberry and Jill Hunter also among the prize-winners.

Club Chairman, Brian Henry was able to express sincerest thanks to all members for their contributions to the many shared experiences enjoyed at the Club's Bridge Tables during 2008.

A few days later it was the turn of the Club's Friday afternoon fraternity, who turned up in force for some Christmas Fayre and to compete for the Byron Webber Trophy. Played in memory of Byron, who was a former Vice-Chairman of the Club, the event, in its 10th year, is represented by 20 hands of Chicago Bridge. Ultimately Pat Webber was able to present the Trophy to Janet Miles and Mel Phillips, winners of the event for the first time, with Elaine Gower and Jo Baker in the runners-up spot and Sybil Drummond and Anna Russell taking the 3rd place spot.

Ross Bridge Club's latest results were as follows;

Monday Duplicate, December 22nd. 1st Joan Goodhead and Graham Jones 65.38%. 2nd Janet Miles and Roy Milnes 57.48%. 3rd Peter Aston and Richard Manuel 57.26% 4th Sarah and Dave Weller 55.77%. 5th Heather Brace and Brian Henry 55.56%. 6th Anne Stirrup and Michael David 53.21%. 7th Pam Jenkins and Ron Carter 52.78%.

Birches

Birches Bridge Club's latest results were as follows:

Monday, December 22nd, Winter Pairs: 1st Heidi MacDougall and Judy Kingston 66.67%. 2nd Tim and Lesley Vessey 54.17%. Equal 3rd Di and Steve Martin 52.78%, Rosie Wilson & Janet Dowdle 52.78%

Bridge resumes on Monday January 5th

Fownhope

Fownhope Bridge Club's latest results were as follows:

Wednesday Pairs: 1st Heather Brace and John Poole  73.70%.  2nd  Roy Ferriday and June Ferriday 57.41%. 3rd  Sybil Prout and Brian Cook  55.93%. 4th  Hilda Seabright and Sue Shore  55.56%. Monday Teams round 4.  1st  Sue Munday, Derrick Munday, Brian Meadows and Graham Ling.  2nd  Lin Bennett, Jo Baker, Neville Shorrick and Daphne Whittaker.  3rd  Margaret Newcombe, Olaf Newcombe, Cathy Chapple and Kate Neale.