RSGC Directors triumph at the Sydney Spring Nationals 2025
In the penultimate week of October, Sydney’s biggest bridge tournament was held – the Spring Nationals. This prestigious congress features several important national championships, including the Open Teams and Mixed Teams. Contesting the Open Teams Championship was a team that included three of our directors: Liam Milne (playing with James Coutts), Jessica Brake (playing with Liam’s wife Susan Humphries), and Shane Harrison (playing with Dave Wiltshire).
They encountered a top team in the semi-final and were trailing most of the match until this hand came up with just a few boards left to play: Liam’s 6 ♣ bid was a touch on the aggressive side!
On a heart lead, he would have struggled, but West chose to lead the ace of diamonds. This was just what Liam needed: ruff the lead, draw trumps and cross to the king of spades to enjoy those diamonds. That was a 17- imp win, to take the lead and win the semi-final.
In the grand final, our directors met the number-one seed, who were undefeated at this point. Trailing 60-76 at halftime, they surged forward to take the lead in the third quarter and never looked back, winning the match 148-131 and the gold medals.
In the Spring Nationals Mixed Teams, Royal Sydney member Sophie Ashton won the gold (partnering Liam Milne). Despite a minor disaster in the last quarter of the final (have you ever bid a grand slam and gone down four, vulnerable?), Sophie and Liam’s team won the final 139-114.
Picture left to right: Dave Wiltshire, James Coutts, Jessica Brake, Shane Harrison, Liam Milne, Susan Humphries