Abingdonian 2017

53 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term Bridge Club The Bridge Club is booming and has been filled to capacity this year. We regularly have eight or nine tables on a Wednesday afternoon. In the beginners’ room, we have had a steady stream of people wanting to learn this complex game. It has been especially pleasing to see how many first years have tried their hand. A regular first year four: Oliver Smith, Dheeraj Kollanthotathil, Alfie Luo and Nick Chorbadzhiev have proven that age is no barrier to successful play. None of them, though, had the unbelievable luck of getting a Grand Slam on their very first hand! This honour was reserved for Gennady Krasnoperov: this must be a sign that a great bridge-laying future awaits him. In the intermediate room, the players spent a lot of time putting the world to rights and occasionally remembering they are mid game! Mrs Coull has been keeping an eye on the bidding, encouraging more thoughtful bidding. Mr Shephard has coached the more advanced players. It will be strange without the old guard next year. Lewis Wu, Nicholas Burnell, Daniel Johnson and James Kennedy have been stalwart members of the club for many years. In the Summer Term, we bid a sad farewell to Ethan Lo and Connor Chippendale. Both have been excellent coaches and patient teachers. They have selflessly sacrificed opportunities to play themselves in order to teach others. It was in their honour that we held a Bridge Tea in the café. It was a very civilised affair and they were presented with packs of ‘solid’ gold playing cards. We wish them well as they move on to their next stage. Katy Lee Bridge is fun and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Dheeraj Kollanthotathil, 1SCVM When I first joined bridge I wasn’t expecting it to be fun but it turns out it is very good! Everyone in bridge is nice and you get to learn a lot. Alfie Luo, 1SJC Bridge is a great use of mind and strategy, but also includes an element of luck. It is an interesting game and can be a great way to socialise . Oliver Smith, 1SCVM