The Republic suffered a severe setback to their hopes of retaining the home international bridge championship (Camrose Trophy) when they were beaten by Scotland in Knock, Co Mayo, while England, the hot favourites, were registering a runaway victory against Northern Ireland in Templepatrick, Co Antrim.
Each contest is played over 90 boards divided into three matches with 30 points available in each match. The maximum a team can score is 25. The Republic drew the 1st, 15/15; won the 2nd, 16/14; and lost the 3rd, 12/18; to leave the overall score 43/47 in favour of Scotland. Meanwhile, England beat Northern Ireland 73/10.
Current standings: 1, England, 169; 2, Scotland, 153; 3, Wales, 89; 4, Republic, 79; 5, Northern Ireland, 39. England and Scotland have played a set of matches more than the rest. Republic's team: R Boland, N Toibin, T Hanlon, Dr H McGann, Dr G.M. Keaveney, R Timlin, G Barton (non-playing captain).
The Zanussi open team championship will be decided in the Stand House Hotel, The Curragh, next weekend. Entries: Paul Porteous (01-4929666).
Some 132 players competed in the all-Ireland schools pairs championship in Ard Scoil Ris, Limerick. Leading placings: Final - 1, Christopher and Anthony Corballis (Glenstal Abbey, Limerick); 2, Ryan Crawford, Michael McKimm (Coleraine Academical Institute); 3, Andrew Carrigan, Gayle Totten (Belfast Royal Academy); 4, Samuel Duddy, Seamus Fleming (Coleraine AI); 5, Lorna McLoughlin, Miriam Rooney (Laurel Hill, Limerick); 6, Chris Quail, Kevin McCaughey (Belfast RA).
Non-qualifiers tournament: 1, Gillian McMahon, Laura Holland (Laurel Hill); 2, Tommy McQuaid, Michael McElroy (St David's, Greystones); 3, Philip Earley, Owen O'Connor (St David's); 4, Donal O'Sullivan, Robert Lynch (CBS, Carlow); 5, Michael McVea, Ross McMullan (Bangor Grammar School); 6, Rebecca Clarke (Laurel Hill), Cian O Muircheartaigh (St Joseph's, Galway).
Wexford congress - pairs - Major: 1, M Murphy, D Noonan; 2, B.J. O'Brien, E Murphy; 3, M and K Byrne. Local: G Watson, M Sinnott. Sess: R Mullan, M Hoolmaa; M Prendergast, A Heffernan. Mixed: 1, E Swan, G Watson; 2, J Ryan, E MacNeill; 3, P and A Markham. Local: J and C Doyle.
Inter: 1, T and M Dalton; 2, S Carew, M Boland; 3, K Halpin, F O'Donnell. B prizes: 1, S Roche, F Starmer; 2, D Daly, B Bowler. Local: E Swan, F McManamy. Sess: J Patton, P Cooke; J Byrne, P Wall.
Teams: 1, B Rafferty, J Lodewyks, A Onishuk, K de Raeymaeker; 2, J Comyn, M Roche, E Murphy, B.J. O'Brien. Inter: J Wall, N Tierney, E Swan, L Tobin. 2nd Sess: M Lindopp, N Minogue, G Kelly, G Dunne.
Dublin South Region - Templeogue Centre - Tournament directors' course, February 24th; details: Paul Hanratty (2698104). Inter and novice teams, February 25th (7.30 p.m.); entries: Martha Tuite (4934889).