Until the end of 1999, there was a single British team playing in the European and world events. So International Bridge for Wales meant the Camrose, the Lady Milne, and the Junior Camrose, effectively the Home International trophies for the Open, Ladies & Junior Teams respectively.

On 1st January 2000 the World Bridge Federation and European Bridge League agreed that Wales, England and Scotland could join Ireland in being eligible to send teams to many European and world events. (As a consequence of the WBU, EBU and SBU's new National Bridge Organisation status, the British Bridge League was disbanded and superseded by Bridge Great Britain, the body that now runs the Home Internationals and the Gold Cup.)

So, whilst the home international competitions are still important to us, we have now widened our horizons with enthusiasm to take in Europe and the World, and many more Welsh players are benefiting from a wider range of opponents. The teams that have represented Wales, and their results, can be seen in this table of international results.

Before 2000, the British Bridge League funded itself by running a number of events, including a number of well-supported simultaneous pairs; the BBL’s main expenditure was the support of British teams. Since 2000, Bridge Great Britain has continued to run quarterly simultaneous pairs, sharing most of the income between Wales, England and Scotland to meet the extra costs of National Bridge Organisation status, notably the support of Welsh, Scottish and English teams in European and world events.

Using this very welcome BGB income, the Welsh Bridge Union supports its teams in European and world events without drawing on members’ funds. In practice the funds available only allow partial support, and not for all events, so our representatives meet much of the costs themselves.

In 2008, a new home international event was introduced - the Seniors Camrose.

Trials for our international teams take place each autumn. Open and Ladies' pairs who would like to be considered for selection should contact the Chief Executive by early August. Juniors should make contact with the WBU's Junior Coordinator (see Youth page).

Players' Responsibilities

The selectors have finalised a policy on the responsibilities that we expect players representing Wales to observe. Read it here.

European Bridge

Various reports, pictures etc from the 2010 European Championships in Ostend can be found here. The European Bridge League has introduced a European Masterpoints system covering performances in European and World events. Read about it, and see Welsh players rankings.

Selection Matters

In August 2010, Council appointed a new selection committee. They are Mike Close, Paul Denning, Linda Greenland, Julian Pottage and Alan Stephenson. They are committed to openness, so there is now a Selectors' Blog here, where you can read about their activities and decisions.

The selectors have prepared their terms of reference. They have been approved by the WBU Management Committee.

The selectors have fixed dates for trials etc in 2011-12. Read the announcement.

International Event
Nature
Recent tournaments and results
Trials results, selected teams etc.
Camrose The home internationals for open teams. First held in 1936, the Camrose is the most-played international bridge series in the world.

The 2007 Camrose started in Oxford in January and was completed in Aberdeen in March. Wales finished third overall. See reports by Patrick Shields, on the first and second weekends.

The first weekend of the 2008 Camrose was held on 11-13 January in Belfast. Wales were third, well in contention. See here for the detailed results. In the second and final weekend the Welsh team again had a very creditable time. Our weekend total of 84 VP, the same as the first weekend, was second highest, leaving us third overall, only 8 behind England, and 30 ahead of the fourth-placed Scots. The overall results. See reports by Patrick Shields, on the first and second weekends.2007 Trials 2008 Teams.

Wales hosted the first half of the 2009 Camrose Trophy on 9-11 January, in Cardiff. The event was superbly organised by Margaret Lane, the Match Manager, and her great team.

The Welsh team did well, only losing one of their five matches, and memorably beating the holders, the Republic of Ireland, 22-8. Wales lies second after this weekend, only 3 VPs behind the leaders, well poised to challenge for the trophy in the second weekend - March 6-8 in Oxford. More information with detailed scores is available here, including pictures. Patrick Shields has written a fascinating report, which you can read here.

The Welsh team were Tim Rees and Filip Kurbalija, Gary Jones and Dafydd Jones, Paul Denning and Patrick Shields, with Mike Tedd as NPC. The selectors have announced an unchanged team for the second weekend to be held in Oxford on 6th to 8th March.

In the second weekend Wales were still in contention as the last match started, but a small victory over England while the EBU (English second team) trounced Scotland meant that we finished third yet again. Captain's log. Patrick Shields excellent report

In 2010, the Welsh team in both weekends was Paul Denning & Patrick Shields, Filip Kurbalija & Tim Rees, and Gary Jones & Dafydd Jones, with John Salisbury and then Mike Tedd as NPCs. After the first weekend in Edinburgh, we lay third. Read Patrick Shields report of that weekend.

The second weekend was held on March 5-7 in Belfast. We beat the Republic of Ireland and trounced Northern Ireland, but lost to Scotland in the first match. We played England on the Sunday morning, led convincingly at half time, but then fell away to lose narrowly 14-16. In the last match we beat the NI second team 21-9. So although this was the best weekend we have had in the new format, we still finished third yet again. England took the Camrose Trophy when Ireland lost to Northern Ireland in their last match. Full results. Read Patrick Shields report.

In 2011, the first weekend was in Dublin on 7-9 January. For information and scores see here. And more here. And read Patrick Shields's interesting report on the weekend.

The first round saw the two Welsh teams playing each other. The WBU side beat the main Welsh team by 18-12 in VPs. This was revenge for the Spring 4s, but not an ideal result for Wales's Camrose chances. Wales recovered with a good win over England 19-11, then beat NI and Scotland each 16-14, and finished by trouncing the strong Republic team 25-5. WBU beat Northern Ireland 25-5 but lost to the Republic 9-21 and to England by the same score, then drew with Scotland. Meanwhile This all left Wales second just 4 points behind England, Ireland third and WBU in a creditable fourth, still above average (just).

The second weekend was 4-6 March in Llandrindod Wells, with everything to play for. It was an exciting weekend! Wales finally managed to win the Camrose Trophy after about 70 years of trying! Read more here.

As well as winning the Camrose and Seniors Camrose, our international players enjoyed more successes in major events of 2011 - a great year for Welsh bridge.

In 2012, after the first of the two Camrose (home internationals) weekends Wales, defending the trophy, lay third. Full scores etc. Read Patrick Shields's report.

The selectors have announced an unchanged team for the second weekend in Scotland on 2-4 March: Paul Denning & Patrick Shields, Peter Goodman & Mike Pownall and John Salisbury & Mike Tedd, with NPC Alan Stephenson and reserves Gary & Dafydd Jones

Trials in 2009 for 2010 teams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trials in 2010 for 2011 teams

Lady Milne The home internationals for ladies' teams. First held in 1950.

The 2007 Lady Milne was held in Newport Gwent on 13-17 April. Wales finished third overall. Team.

The 2008 event was held in Dundee in Scotland on 11-13 April. It was a disappointing weekend for Wales; we won only 1 of our 8 matches, finishing in last place. Team Detailed results.

The 2009 event was in Ireland on 17-19 April 2009. In an exciting finish, Scotland pipped Northern Ireland by a single VP. Wales were last.

The 2010 event in Manchester again saw Wales finish in the wooden spoon position, although we did manage a creditable draw with the strong England team. Results.

The 2011 event was in Northern Ireland. Wales started well with a draw against England and a win in their first two matches, but lost their third and fourth matches. Then in the last match against the strong Scottish team Wales were down 30+ Imps but staged a great recovery to lose just 13-17 which meant that Scotland and England tied overall and share the trophy. A creditable performance by Wales! Results etc appear here. And read Zia's Guardian article about the very last hand.

Trials in 2008 for 2009 team

 

Trials in 2009 for 2010 teams

Seniors Camrose The home internationals for senior teams. First held in 2008.

Wales finished third equal in the inaugural Seniors Camrose held in Oxford from 30 May to 1 June 2008. More details. And some great photos. 2008 Team

The 2009 event was held in Oxford on 29-31 May. Wales came 4th, ahead of both Irish teams, but behind the Patron's team, Scotland just 1VP behind, and England. Welsh team. Table of results. Paul Scannell's great photos.

In 2010 it was on May 28-30 in Glasgow. Wales was represented by Patrick Jourdain & Gary Jones, Peter & Jean Hand, and Sheila Shea & Wyn Williams with NPC Alan Screen. It was a disappointing weekend - Wales lost 9 of 10 matches, and finished bottom of the table. Detailed results. Paul Scannell's great photos

2011 saw Wales win the Seniors Camrose as well as the Camrose itself. The victorious Welsh team was Liam Sheridan & Gwyneth Dew, Tony Disley & Roger Penton, Mike Hirst & Jim Luck, with NPC Mike Tedd. Read more here.

Trials and teams for 2010

 

Junior Camrose The home internationals for under 25s. First held in 1971.

The 2008 events were held in Manchester on 16-17 February 2008 . Our Peggy Bayer team achieved a very creditable third place. Teams. Full results.

The 2009 events were held in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 20th-22nd February 2009. Both Welsh teams acquitted themselves respectably: in the Junior Camrose we were fourth, with only 13 VPs spanning 2nd to 5th; in the Peggy Bayer we were third. England won both trophies.Teams Detailed results. Team photos. And we had a write-up in the New York Times. Captains' reports: Junior Camrose, Peggy Bayer

Wales hosted these junior home internationals from February 19-21 at the Rest Hotel in Porthcawl. Our match managers were Margaret Lane and Val Kennewell; many thanks to them and the volunteers who helped over the weekend. In the Peggy Bayer event (under 19) Wales won 5 of their 8 matches and finished a creditable 3rd. In the Junior Camrose (under 25) Wales lost 7 out of 8 and trailed in last. Congratulations to Scotland who won both events. Captains' reports: Peggy Bayer Junior Camrose.

The Junior Camrose 2011 was in Ayr 19-20 February. The Welsh team was: Chris Owen & James Boulton, Becky Watkins & Horia Maior, James Harris & Jonathan Richards, with NPC Alan Jones. After a very poor start the team rallied and rose above the bottom spot with one round to go, but this didn't last so we won the wooden spoon again. Captain's Report.

The Welsh teams for 2010
Peggy Bayer The home internationals for under 20's. First held in 1990.
European Teams Championships These are currently held in even numbered years. European countries send Open, Ladies and Senior teams. The format is usually all-play-all 20 or 16 board matches over a two-week period. The top few teams in each category qualify for the Bermuda Bowl world championships in the following year

Wales has been represented in Tenerife (2001), in Salsomaggiore (2002), in Malmö (2004) and in Warsaw (2006).

At the European Championships, held in Pau, France, 14-28 June, our Open team came 14th of 19 in its group. The Ladies team finished 23rd of 25, and the Seniors 20th of 20. Some photos of the teams etc. All the results and bulletins on the EBL website. You can access here Patrick Shields's reports on the progress of the Welsh teams in Pau as it happened.

Table of results

2008 Teams
World Team Olympiad

These are held in the years divisible by 4. In 2004, the format in the Open and Womens events had 4 and 2 sections respectively of all-play-all matches, with the top 16 teams playing long knockout matches to decide the overall winners. The Seniors was an all-play-all event.

In October 2008 the bridge Olympiad formed part of the World Mind Sports Games in Beijing.

Wales has been represented in Maastricht (2000), and in Istanbul (2004). The Welsh Senior team in Istanbul finished 7th of 29 countries, our best result so far in World and European championships.

Table of results

Although Wales did not have an Open team or a Womens team in Beijing, we sent a Junior team and a Senior team. The Welsh Juniors finished 49th out of 74, a good result for a small country. The Seniors finished 15th out of 16 in their group.

Patrick Shields' short report on our progress in Beijing can be read here. More information, results and bulletins can be found on the WBF Beijing website.

2008 Teams
Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championship This tournament, for Open teams representing Commonwealth countries, was held for the first time alongside the 2002 games in Manchester.

Wales played in Manchester (2002) , Melbourne (2006) and New Delhi (2010)

In Manchester, Wales won the silver medals, losing to Canada in the medal final. A very major achievement!

In Delhi, after a poor start Wales improved and were still in with a chance of a medal playing the last match of the round-robin. But this was lost by a big margin to Scotland who squeaked into the playoffs where they took the gold medal. Wales finished 9th overall, 5th of the National teams. More here.

Table of results

Team for 2010 in Delhi