A FINE play by Tom Hanlon, the former junior international from Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath, brightened the day for Irish followers at the World Bridge Olympiad in Rhodes yesterday. Against Indonesia, one of the favourites in the open teams event, Hanlon found an excellent end play not found by any other player in the competition, to make a doubled game contract.
Despite the big gain on that hand Ireland still lost by the narrowest margin possible, 14-16. Overall it was a good performance by the team which included Hugh McGann, Ray Brennan and Paul Scannell against a top class side.
The Irish also found stiff opposition against Pakistan. Brennan and Scannell were joined by the Galway pair, Gay Keaveney and Rory Timlin but again lost 14-16. Against Lebanon Ireland had a poor match, losing 8-22. The next game is against Japan, currently placed third. We then meet Liechtenstein followed by Malaysia and Croatia.
Meanwhile New Zealand, Ireland's conquerors in round one, have gone to the top of the group to share the lead with Poland on 108 points. Japan are 104, France 101. Group B: Israel 107, India 106, Chinese Taipei 105, Turkey 104.
The women's team event began yesterday. Sweden with two maximum scores and defending Olympiad champions, Austria, lead their respective groups.