18th June 2025



Dealer South
S
J
   
NS Vul
H
AKQ1098732
   
    D 865
   
    C
   
S
10964
    S
KQ832
H
J6
    H
4
D
AK107
    D
J4
C
AQ4
    C
KJ863
    S
A75    
    H
5
   
    D
Q932
   
    C
109752
   


South
West
North
East
Pass
1D 4H 4S
Pass Pass Pass


A deal from the Corwen Trophy.

After West had opened one diamond, North leapt to four hearts.  East (Tom Dessain) boldly bid four spades which ended the auction.
The defenders started with two rounds of hearts, Tom carefully ruffed the second heart with the eight of spades.
His care was rewarded when hearts broke 9-1! and North had the spade jack. Making four spades was worth about 80% of the matchpoints.  At many tables four hearts or even five hearts made, sometimes doubled.