A very pleasing 18 teams competed for the Waddington trophy this weekend. While Olicana 1 led after the first set, York A came out winners, defending their title with an excellent 81 IMPs in the second set for a total of +107. Congratulations to Keighley for finishing second with +64 IMPs and Thirsk who were third with +53
Left to right Keith Joules, Bob Ross, Tom Cohen, David Beck.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of David Dunsby. David was a former long-standing member of Doncaster Bridge Club and mainstay of their A team, usually partnered by his wife Sheila. He was especially appreciated for his innovative influence on the work of the club Committee, where he served a lengthy stint as club Chair.
David had a great interest in bridge theory, to which he made a contribution through his invention of the EBU licenced Dunsby (odd-even) discard system. It is also noteworthy that his daughter, Sally, and granddaughter, Venetia, have both progressed to represent the England women’s team. A fitting legacy for David.
Slow start for Yorkshire teams in 2026 NBL
13th July 2026
Slow start for Yorkshire teams in 2026 NBL
The first round of matches in the 2026 Northern Bridge League were played on Saturday 11th July. All three Yorkshire teams made disappointing starts. In the A division Yorkshire A finished fourth, in the B division we were sixth and in the C division also fourth. Merseyside & Cheshire lead the A division. and Manchester teams top the B and C divisions.
Five Yorkshire pairs had plus scores in the cross-imps tables – Tom Copeland & Alan Jarvis (A) Geoff Kenyon & Nick Woolven (A), Chris Child & Terry Read (B), Bob Marchbank & Kevin Higgins (C) and Pauline Cooper & Richard Hilton (C).
With three more rounds of matches to be played before the NBL concludes in October. there is time for the ground already lost to be made up.
Further information about this round of matches can be found on the Inter-County page and on the Cumbria cBA and NBL websites.
Café Bridge in North Leeds
6th July 2026
Café Bridge in North Leeds
YCBA, assisted by Leeds bridge club, are running a café bridge event in north Leeds (Roundhay) on Tuesday 8th September (11am to 4.15pm). The promotional flier is attached HERE.
Street Lane in Roundhay is a vibrant area with a high number of cafes and restaurants in close proximity. The area is ideally suited to café bridge.
The cost of the event is £25, which includes lunch and £5 to be donated to St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds.
What is Café Bridge?
It is duplicate pairs set up in multiple cafes, pubs or restaurants. Pairs move to a new venue after each round, guided by a map and movement card. Boards remain at their starting tables throughout. Scoring is with the BriAn Bridge app which is free to download on your smartphone (only 1 phone required per table).
How to Register your Entry
Email Events@ycba.co.uk, providing the name of you & your partner. Please also provide: –
Your EBU numbers, if you have one (but all bridge players are welcome).
Confirmation on whether you have a smartphone in your partnership, and whether you are willing to do the scoring.
Details of any food allergies, special requirements (vegetarian option will be available).
Payment of £50 for your partnership to be made by bank transfer to
Yorkshire Contract Bridge Association,
Sort code 09-02-22
Account number 10861509
Quote Ref CBL26 and please add your surname.
Malton & Wetherby win summer OYL
6th July 2026
Malton & Wetherby win summer OYL
The summer 2026 season of the Online Yorkshire League concluded on 5th July, with close finishes in both divisions. Malton A won the first division on a split tie, having finished equal on victory points with Sheffield A but placed first by virtue of having won the head-to-head match between the teams.
In the second division, Wetherby D were just one victory point ahead of their closest challengers, Scarborough.
Congratulations to both winning teams and thanks to the organisers and everyone who took part in the competition. The next season of the Online Yorkshire League is scheduled for early 2027 with match days on 3rd, 17th and 31st January.
Yorkshire sixth in 2026 President’s Cup
6th July 2026
Yorkshire sixth in 2026 President’s Cup
The annual teams of eight competition for the President’s Cup took place over the weekend of 4th and 5th July. Eleven teams entered this year, drawn from all corners of the UK and Ireland.
The convincing winners were Dublin, ahead of Manchester and Warwickshire. Yorkshire were never in convention and finished sixth, right in the middle of the pack
The Yorkshire team was Dave Robinson, Tony Sowter,Paul Brereton, Frank Dixon, Nichola Cockerill-Smith, Richard Pike, John Hayton, Mike Jackson, Alan Brosgill, Robin Jepson, Nick Woolven, David Beck & Keith Joules. Dave & Tony, Paul & Frank, and Nichola & Richard all finished with plus scores in the cross-imps table.
144 pairs from 9 clubs participated in this event, congratulations to the winners, David Wilson and Mark Ballantine of Hull with an outstanding scratch score of 73%. Valerie Watson and Jean Oldroyd of Doncaster placed second.
The winners in the handicapped rankings were Davis Wilson and Mark Ballantine. They will be donating their £125 prize to Dove House Hospice, their local hospice in Hull.
Second place in the handicapped rankings were Valerie Watson and Jean Oldroyd from Doncaster bridge club. They are donating their £75 prize to DonMentia, a local charity in Doncaster.