The Northern Ireland Bridge Union's autumn congress will be held in the Causeway Coast Conference Centre, Ballyreagh, Portrush, from September 5th to 7th. The major, intermediate, and junior pairs championships will be run on Friday (8.15 p.m.) and Saturday afternoon; the mixed pairs on Saturday night; and the two-session teams on Sunday. Accommodation details: Marjorie Kelso (01232-869760). Entries: Ian Lindsay (01232-763113).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland beat the NIBU by 310 victory points to 222 in the annual match for the Sonya Britton Trophy, played in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, Co Down.
The teams were - CBAI - Open: J. Carroll, T. Garvey, P. O Briain, T. Roche. Women: P. Meehan, P. O'Neill, H. DowlingLong, T. Rigney. Senior: M. Hanrahan, A. Power, G. Connolly, B. Kirby. Intermediate A: H. Moran, J. Dolan, G. Dunne, F. Kelly. B/Junior: Denis, Donal and M. Sheehan, J. Young. Officials: J. Moran, C. Pippet, J.J. Kiely, K. Downes. Non-playing captain; M. Cummins.
NIBU - Open: R. Burns, K.Y. Singleton, R. Plunkett, P. Tranmer. Women: R. Hetherington, M. Curran, V. Hamilton, M. Kelso, C. Cramp, N. Irwin. Senior: J. Murchan, T. Kelly, J. Lavery, M. Coffey, J. Ferguson. Intermediate A: V. Trimble, T. Sproule, D. Curran, P. Johnston. B/Junior: M. and B. Scott, H. McKnight, G. Smyth, E. O'Neill, A. Toner. Officials: M. Rosenberg, M. O'Kane, D. Hannon, G. Fitzgerald, M. McClure, K. Murphy. Captain: I. Lindsay.
The CBAI has been readmitted to the home international series which consists of open, women's, junior, and under 20s matches. Their first assignment will be in the women's championship (Lady Milne Trophy) in Cardiff next June. They will compete in all the events the following season.
Planning permission has been granted for the new CBAI headquarters in Templeogue, Co Dublin. It is hoped building will begin late this year.
The Ballybunion congress will be played from September 3rd to 7th in The Castle. There will be open pairs on Wednesday (7.30 p.m.), and twice daily thereafter. The women's pairs will be played on Thursday (7.30 p.m.); the mixed pairs over two sessions on Friday (2.00 p.m.); likewise the major pairs on Saturday; and the teams will run from 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Sunday. Entries: Peg Mullins (066-25775).
The Bray, Co Wicklow, open Swiss teams, with £800 in cash prizes, will be decided over two sessions in the Greystones Centre on September 7th, starting at 1.00 p.m. Entries: Eileen Vickers (01-2868529).