When the competition hotted up at the 37th Annual Fermanagh Bridge Congress over the weekend, bridge playing talents from the county demonstrated they ‘can hold their own.’ This year’s major gathering - held at the Manor House Country Hotel, Killadeas last Friday, Saturday and Sunday - once again proved a winner, despite its numbers being down.

The opening last Friday night was performed by the Congress President Ann Buckley, who welcomed everyone, and extended thanks to the sponsors, The Manor House Country Hotel, Modern Tyre Group and Erne Insurance Services, Irvinestown.

“The numbers were down significantly as the congress clashed with three other national competitions,” reported a representative, who mentioned that play started with the mixed pairs and open pairs on Friday night.

The mixed pairs were won by Northern Ireland international players, Diane and David Greenwood, who were well ahead of the field with 68.2 per cent. The best locals were Maura and Gerry Hegarty. The open pairs were won by Belfast pair Rosemary Cannell and Louise Miller with locals Sally Magee and Phil Gilligan taking third place. Jill Knox and Jimmy Carleton took the novice prize.

The main competition, the congress pairs is played over two sessions and attracts the top players. Again it was two international players who took first place, Ciara Burns and Ian Lindsay from Belfast. Enniskillen pair Maura and Gerry Hegarty finished in third place, showing they can hold their own in this highly competitive competition.

The best local prize was won by Ann Buckley and Patricia Laird. Local players Tom McIntyre and Finola Higgins finished in second place in the open pairs.

On Sunday morning the teams’ competition got underway. “This is the blue ribbon event and probably the fairest competition in bridge,” indicated the representative, who pointed out that once again the international team from Belfast took the top honours. Ann and Stephen Cairns, Paschal Buckley and Graham Laird were second which was a very good result.

The best local prize was won by Finola Higgins, Ann Rasdale, Tom McIntyre and Mick Rafferty. Locals did very well in the open pairs on Sunday.

In the morning session Ann Buckley and Patricia were first with Renee Maguire and Molly Ward second and Evelyn West and Margaret Mitchell third making it a clean sweep for Fermanagh. Wendy McChesney and Jean Sutherland took first place East/West. On the Sunday evening Molly Ward and Renee Maguire were first and Deirdre McSorley and Wendy McChesney third.

There was further success for local players in the Intermediate section with Gordon Ramsey and Francie Ferguson taking an excellent second place. Molly Ward and Renee Maguire were the best locals.

Renee and Molly also won the overall prize for the open pairs.

Results: Mixed Pairs: 1, David and Diane Greenwood; 2, Helen Cole and William Dukelow; 3, Heather and Alan Hill. Best Local and overall fourth, Maura and Gerry Hegarty.

Open Pairs: 1, Rosemary Cannell and Louise Miller; 2, Paddy and Alice Carr; 3, Sally Magee and Phil Gilligan.

Congress Pairs: 1, Ciara Burns and Ian Lindsay; 2, Ian Hamilton and Robin Burns; 3, Gerry and Maura Hegarty.

Open Pairs (Saturday afternoon) North/South: 1, Tina Berrells and Ita Carragher; 2, Lucy Loughlin and Bridie O’Hare; 3, Delia Meehan and Mary Keegan.

East/West: 1, Jean Sutherland and Wendy McChesney; 2, Heather Sloan and Margaret Thomas; 3, Terry Monaghan and Anne Gavin.

Open Pairs (Saturday night): 1, Jo Smith and Esther Maguire; 2, Tom McIntyre and Finola Higgins; 3, Mary and Edward McGarrity.

Intermediate Pairs: 1, Michael McIIroy and John Cameron; 2, Gordon Ramsey and Francie Ferguson; 3, Christine Crockett and Cyril Goode.

Open Pairs (Sunday morning): 1, Ann Buckley and Patricia Laird; 2, Molly Ward and Renee Maguire; 3, Evelyn West and Margaret Mitchell.

Open Pairs (Sunday afternoon): 1, Molly Ward and Renee Maguire; 2, Paddy Doran and Betty O’Loughlin; 3, Deirdre McSorley and Wendy McChesney.

Congress Teams: 1, Ciara Burns Ian Lindsay Ian Hamilton and Robin Burns; 2, Ann and Stephen Cairns, Paschal Buckley and Graham Laird.