NSW Seniors and Pairs win top gong at ANC

July 14, 2025

The NSW Seniors team and a NSW pair won their categories last week at the 2025 Australian National Championships.

The Seniors team comprising Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer, Bruce Neill, Peter Buchen, Mike Hughes, Ted Griffin and Julian Foster (NPC) blitzed ACT in the final in the end by 166.52 to 103 Victory Points. It was a see-sawing match across five stanzas, but when NSW won, they won big, securing themselves an unassailable lead.

NSW Seniors team [L-R]: Bruce Neill, Julian Foster (NPC), Warren Lazer, Pauline Gumby, Peter Buchen, Mike Hughes, Ted Griffin

 

NSW was also successful in the Interstate Pairs, with Michael Courtney and Joan Butts winning six of their seven stanzas and racking up 111.61 Victory Points to finish nearly 12 Victory Points ahead of their nearest rivals. A big congratulations to both!

In the other interstate events, South Australia won the Open event in a tight contest with Victoria with NSW finishing third. Western Australia just edged out Victoria in the Women’s with NSW ending up 4th, and Victoria won convincingly against Queensland in the Youth category where NSW also placed third.

The TBIB Open and Mixed Butler Pairs are still underway. One of the most challenging bridge events of the year, the events comprise six days of gruelling bridge. The finals take place this Wednesday 16 July.

Go NSW! For live scores and up-to-date results, head here:
👉 Bridge Australia ANC Results

About the ANC

The ANC is held annually. NSW hosted the event in Orange in 2023. In addition to interstate matches, the event features side events which anyone can enter.

Bridge NSW provided +$15,000 in sponsorship to support travel and other costs for teams. The NSW teams were decided in qualifying rounds held earlier during the year.

Open Team

  • Simon Zhang – Yumin Li
  • Michael Courtney – Joan Butts
  • Tomer Libman – Lavy Libman
  • Peter Clarke (non-playing captain)

Women’s Team

  • Wei Zhang – Catherine Zhang
  • Jan Clarke – Di Coats
  • Ruth Tobin – Anita Curtis
  • John McIlrath (non-playing captain)

Youth Team

  • Noah Klugman – David Zheng
  • Shannon Ooi – Duncan Lai
  • Yiwei Qi – Ida Andersen
  • Mitch Dowling (non-playing captain)

Want to play for NSW next year?

Look out for the Interstate Team Selection (ITS) events Bridge NSW hosts for each category (Open, Womens, Seniors, Youth) in the first half of every year. There, players compete in qualifying and finals rounds to represent NSW.

You may also like to read:

August Newsletter

The July issue of the Bridging NSW newsletter is here. Key features this month, 'Gold in Goa' - the amazing results from the Asia Cup in India, including a gold medal in the Seniors’ Team, featuring four players from NSW and we introduce the
talented players representing NSW at the Australian National Championship. They share memorable moments, tips for players and more.

Read More

July newsletter

The July issue of the Bridging NSW newsletter is here. Key features this month, 'Gold in Goa' - the amazing results from the Asia Cup in India, including a gold medal in the Seniors’ Team, featuring four players from NSW and we introduce the
talented players representing NSW at the Australian National Championship. They share memorable moments, tips for players and more.

Read More

Autumn another record breaking OPL

The OPL Autumn season wrapped up on Monday, 1 June after another terrific season, enjoying record participation for the third straight season. 172 players joined the league in Autumn, including 28 from Victoria, 10 from Queensland as well as entrants from South Australia, Western Australia…

Read More

A financial update from the Bridge NSW Board

Following the recent AGM and the publication of the 2025 Annual Report, the Board is pleased to provide an update on the financial health of Bridge NSW as we progress through our second full year of operation. When Bridge NSW was established in mid-2024, our…

Read More

June newsletter

The June issue of the Bridging NSW newsletter is here. Key features this month: An interview with the incomparable John McIlrath, who shares his lifelong bridge journey as a player, club owner, teacher, national director, and dedicated volunteer. A successful Presidents’ Day on the NSW…

Read More

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This