Love All Dealer North   ª 7 6 © 9 4 3 ¨ 10 7 6 5 3 § A 4 3   ª A J 5 © Q 10 7 6 2 ¨ K 8 2 § J 8   ª J 9 3 2 © 8 5 ¨ J 4 § K Q 10 9 6   ª Q 10 8 4 © A K J ¨ A Q 9 § 7 5 2

Bidding North East South Wast Pass Pass 1S Pass Pass Pass

Dramatis Personae:
North: Graham Horscroft (YC)
East: Peter Gill (Australia)
South: Mike Fletcher (YC)
West: Ian Casselton (Australia)

Against Fletcher's modest 1S contract Ian Casselton led a heart around to declarer's jack. Declarer tried to cash two more hearts - the second was ruffed by East. Peter Gill played a sneaky C9 back, to discourage a cover if South had the jack, and to deter a hold-up of the ace. Fletcher duly took the ace, and played a diamond to Casselton's king. Casselton exited with CJ, overtaken by Gill, who played a third club, his partner discarding a diamond. Gill played a fourth club, Fletcher and Casselton both pitching diamonds. Gill played a diamond through, and Casselton now ruffed the ace. Casselton cashed SA and exited with a heart. Declarer ruffed, and misguessed in spades by playing the queen. One Spade therefore, through pinpoint defence, went two down.

The prize for the best defended hand at the 2002 Lederer Memorial Trophy goes to Ian Casselton and Peter Gill (Australia).

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