Congratulations to Rhiwbina Ruffnecks winning in Division 3 last year and being promoted to Division 2 for 2022-23. They join Rhiwbina Diamonds along with 5 other teams from East Wales. Ace of Clubs, our 3rd Rhiwbina Team, were sadly relegated and are now playing in Division 3.

This year's Rhiwbina team members are:

Rhiwbina Ruffnecks - Roger Wright (Captain), John Basford, Dan Gordon, Sandra James and Elizabeth May.

Rhiwbina Diamonds - Gill O'Keeffe (Captain), Steve Jenkins, Pam Stacey, Dave Bonello, Allan Cleaver and Cath Simpson.

Ace of Clubs - Adrian Trickey (Captain), Justin Cooper, Bev Cox, David Simpson, Keith Butler and John Gracey.

The organisers are always looking for new Teams to join, the more the merrier. Teams are a minimum of 4, but it's recommended that you have at least another pair, to allow for holidays and the like. Teams are expected to play their matches roughly once per month, preferably face-to-face (allowances are being made for vulnerable people and adverse weather conditions - so some flexibility). Matches are 24 boards with a break after 12 for tea and cake/sandwiches -the Hosts organise this. There is also a knockout competition amongst all those in the EWBA League. Those playing teams in the division above them are given extra points to start, making it fairer.

There were three Rhiwbina-based teams in the 2019-20 East Wales Bridge Association league this year.  All three played in Division 2.  The early matches in the league were played as usual in the homes of team members but once lockdown hit there was a long suspension, followed by completion of the fixtures online.

The fortunes of the three Rhiwbina teams varies.  The Rhiwbina Ruffnecks are definitely relegated and will be playing in Division 3 next year.  The fate of the other teams then depends on whether one or two teams will be promoted and relegated.  That, in turn, depends on how many teams are available to play in the 2020-21 competition.  If two teams are promoted then that's good news for Ace of Clubs who will be promoted having finished in second place only by virtue of a tie-break (i.e. on the same number of points as the winners but having lost to them in their head-to-head match).  If two teams are relegated then that's bad news for Rhiwbina Diamonds who finished in second to last position in the league and who would therefore join the Ruffnecks in division three.

If you would like to enter a team in the 2020-21 competition please contact the tournament organiser, Adrian Trickey.  As he's a Rhiwbina member, you can find his e-mail address in the Members section of our website.  I am sure that all the Rhiwbina-based team members would like to join me in thanking Adrian for the effort he puts into running such an enjoyable competition.

During the shutdown of face-to-face bridge enforced by the Coronavirus competitions have been organised online (at BBO) for both Pairs and Teams. 

Five teams entered the first Teams competition and all played each other in a round-robin format, playing one match per week.  The results are shown below.

If you wish to join the online Teams competition, please contact John Basford via e-mail.  You can find his e-mail address on the Members list.

At the end of the East Wales Bridge League season, the teams from all divisions are entered into a knockout cup competition.  The competition is played on a handicap basis.  A team playing opponents from one division higher, get a 25 IMP head start and when playing oppnents from two divisions higher the head start is 50 IMPs.  Below is news of how our RBC-based teams are faring.

Having already played and won two rounds, the division 2 Ace of Clubs team is through to the semi-finals.  They got there by beating Cardiff Allsorts (also from division 2) and then first division opponents Archway Chepstow.

The Rhiwbina Diamonds (from division 2) fell in the first round to division 1 opponents Cardiff All Stars.

The Rhiwbina Ruffnecks (champions of division 3) convincingly won their first match against fellow division 3 team Chepstow Archers to set up a second round match against another division 3 team, the Newport Dragons.

Further updates will be posted as they become available.