Maine Bridge Club members Robin Archer and Charles Young have won the 2024 Australia Wide Restricted Pairs Title.
This is an enormous achievement, with the local duo beating 1057 other pairs from around Australia to claim the prestigious national honours in the bridge competition.
The comp was open to Australian Bridge Federation members with less than 300 masterpoints.
Other Maine Bridge Club members worthy of mention were Annie Wiltshire and Chris Dyson (in the top 20%), Sandy Noble and Ken Bessell (top 25%) and Jan Williams and Merlyn Pritchard (top 30%).
Charles said the competition came right down to the wire.
“Pairs from clubs right across the country competed in the event, everyone plays the same cards and it’s about who plays the cards best and achieves the highest points,” he said.
“The matches took place over several days and we were in the top tier and anxiously waiting for the final club to load their results. In the end we won by the narrowest of margins .1 per cent!”
Following Robin and Charles’ success they will appear in an article in Australian Bridge.
Locals have been enjoying spirited bridge competition at the Castlemaine University of the Third Age for some time, but the local competition took a hit during covid.
Maine Bridge Club president Louise Griffin said many local bridge players continued to enjoy the challenging trick-taking card game online via the Bridge Base Online app throughout the pandemic and in the wake of covid the Maine Bridge Club was formed.
The club currently comprises more than 80 members and gathers for competition at the Castlemaine Church of Christ in Blakeley Road, Castlemaine every Tuesday afternoon in conjunction with Castlemaine U3A.
Competitions are also held on the second and fourth Thursday of the month and an online session takes place every Wednesday.
The local club also enjoys an annual interclub competition against the Macedon Ranges and has representatives attend ‘congress’ competitions all over the state and beyond.
Robin and Charles said they had enjoyed every minute of their involvement in the challenging game and the friendly local club.
“It’s one of the only clubs that is steadily growing in numbers and participation, which speaks volumes to the welcoming vibe here at Castlemaine,” Charles said.
“We have players across a range of skill levels and experience. It is a game where you are always learning and improving. “You take away something new every time.”
Robin said the game could be highly competitive.
“I always say when you walk into a bridge club it can look quite demure, but don’t be fooled. It’s a blood sport!” she said.
“I played a lot of 500 when I was younger but then graduated to bridge. Once you play bridge you will never go back. I was instantly hooked!
“Local tutor Graham Forbes at Castlemaine U3A has played an integral role in introducing many local players to the game.
“It is so complex, you are not only competing against the other pair at your table of four, but trying to outdo those playing in your position (north, south, east or west) playing your same cards throughout the room or (in the case of the Restricted Pairs) across Australia.
“You receive an ABF ranking and you can work to improve your game and that ranking every time you play.
“It’s fascinating to discover how others chose to play the same cards, and how you could improve or do things differently next time around!”
To discover more about the club visit the Maine Bridge Club website.
