The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's mixed team championship (Coen Trophy), played at the Mullingar Centre, was won by D. Greenwood, E. Galligan, I. Loncur and D. Filjar with a score of 334.
The runners-up were J. Moran, C. Pippet, E. Joyce, and S. O Lubaigh with 323. Third came J. Cunningham, M. Harris and Michael and Marlene O'Connor with 317. The award for the best score in the final session went to V. and G. King and P. and D. Ryder.
The manner in which Greenwood's team reached the winning post was indeed unusual. The tournament was decided over three sessions, each consisting of six five-board matches, with a maximum of 25 points available per match.
With 19 teams competing, after the first session Greenwood was occupying the lowly 18th spot. However, in the second session they had a change of fortune and climbed to 9th place. Then they put in a storming finish to score 148 out of a possible 150 in the final session.
Their overall percentage was 74.4, which is well above the average winning score for championships. Nevertheless, their feat was not as remarkable as that of the Limerick team, P. Liston, P. Quinn, M. Burke and G. Connolly, who when romping home in the all-Ireland championship (Burke Trophy) recently registered an almost incredible percentage.
With a maximum of 25 points available in each match, they chalked up an average of 21, equivalent to 84 per cent. Although statistics have not been kept over the years, that is probably an all-time record for a championship of that standing.
Bridge holiday, South of France, September 14th to 24th. Details: Bernie Lynch (01-2882435).