How did you get started in bridge? At what age? Who from?
At university in England 1985 – age 17.
What do (did) you do professionally?
Tax accountant, later specialising in technology solutions for tax. Now managing MyABF software (supposedly part time!)
Who is your partner and for how long? Longest partnership?
David Weston. Since 2000 By far my longest and most successful partnership.
Also play Australian Mixed events with Giselle Mundell and frequently play with Jenna Gibbons.
If you had a choice who would you like to play with? Australia and Internationally- living or dead?
No idea
In your playing career, what is the bridge success that has the most meaning for you?
Winning the 2018 ANC teams as a player In the NSW Open team
And your worst moment in bridge?
Probably leading the 2019 ANC butler stage 2 by some margin and then suddenly have everything go wrong, lose 6 matches in a row & collapse from 1st to 11th. This game can turn so suddenly!
What do you do you do between sessions to put you in the best frame of mind for the following session?
Nothing special.
Do you have a favourite and least favourite convention?
No particular favourite Least favourite is Gerber (4C is almost always better played as something else)
Would you prefer to have more system or less?
Only system where you’ve actually discussed the implications (both when you use it and, just as importantly, what it means for other hand types) In my view most players would be far better off playing less system but making sure they have fully discussed and understood what they are playing.
What do you do to improve your game?
Play! Talk to better players. Read books.
Favourite bridge book?
“How to read your opponents cards” by Mike Lawrence was a big eye opener for me. Love the Mollo Menagerie series for comedy stuff.
What interests or hobbies do you have besides bridge?
Walking, running, reading, space exploration.
What is the number one thing that bridge has done for you as a person and for your life?
Created a circle of friends with a common interest – was especially valuable when I first moved to Sydney for work in 1998 and only knew one person here at the time.
Bridge Results and Awards
Plenty of seconds!
New Zealand Teams. 2nd. 2004
GNOT. 2nd. 2008
ANC Butler pairs. 2nd. 2010
Gold Coast teams. 3rd= 2018
Mixed teams playoff. 2nd. 2020
ANOT teams. 2nd. 2021
Several NSW state and Congress titles.
National Titles
Dick Cummings Pairs. 2001
Territory Gold Swiss Pairs. 2012
ANC open teams. 2018
State Representation
NSW Open Team 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 (+ captain 2012)
NSW Women’s team captain 2014, 2016
International Representation
2022 will be my first experience as Mixed Team captain
Other
Been involved in bridge admin for many years – in the UK (1991-1997) and then Australia. NSWBA Council 2000-2018 (7 years as treasurer, 5 as chairman), ABF delegate for NSW.
