I went cycling in the Pyrenees with my teenagers last week. Every time we stopped for a break, out came an iPhone, to be met with the usual groan: ‘Put it away, stop staring at your screen.’ Except it wasn’t me nagging – it was them. I couldn’t help myself: the world bridge championships were taking place, and I was desperate to follow the action.
It couldn’t have been more gripping. The England women got through to the semi-finals and ended up winning bronze. Our open team deserve equal praise for making it to the quarter–finals and putting up a superb fight against the all-star Swiss team, sponsored by Pierre Zimmerman. Switzerland went on to win gold, but England gave them a serious run for their money, leading for much of the match. This hand by Michael Byrne won particular praise.
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