[paulg]

Congratulations to Mike Bell (MickyB) on helping the England U25 team win the Junior Camrose over the weekend. They came back from a 17 VP deficit after the first round robin to win, going away, by 6 VP.

From what I saw, Mike played as well as anyone, and better than most, over the two days. His challenge now is to get a place in next year's team to defend it!

But it is did appear that the British Isles is going to have a lean time over the next couple of years as the current talent pool seems limited. Everyone except England is struggling to put out an U25 and U20 team. England has a good pool of enthusiastic young players, possibly the biggest in recent years, but there are few stars currently and the trials could deliver a different three pairs every time. But at least England has healthy competition for places.

In the U20 competition, the four players in Scotland who are under 20 won comfortably. But i guess they are unlikely to defend their trophy next year, as there will only be two players in Scotland who are under 20 by that time

Paul

[Echognome]

Jlall, on Feb 18 2008, 07:51 AM, said:

Congrats, not surprised though MickyB is a very good player.

Agree with this.

Congrats also to Susie, Fiona, Alex, Dave and Steve.

Was happy to see two former students from the university where I taught were playing. I'd like to take some credit, but then I also like to tell the truth.

[MickyB]

Thanks guys. My first outing in the event, was great fun. Only real downside was the low number of boards, because there are five teams (hence a sit-out), many with three pairs, you land up only playing about half the time, which meant I played 60 boards over the weekend.

Think three of the Scottish U20s will still be eligible next year, but one will almost certainly move up with his partner - they are a pretty strong pair together, arguably the best U25 pair in Scotland despite their age.

I don't think there is as much competition for places in the England team as you make out - three of the players in this year's JC will be too old next year, leaving about half a dozen players of fairly similar ability IMO.

Time to post some hands!

[paulg]

MickyB, on Feb 19 2008, 12:55 PM, said:

Think three of the Scottish U20s will still be eligible next year, but one will almost certainly move up with his partner - they are a pretty strong pair together, arguably the best U25 pair in Scotland despite their age.

One of the U20s must have 4-5 years left and her brother even more! The other pair would have played for the U25s if that had been the only event.

Paul

[joker_gib]

Congrats Mike !

[brianshark]

Congrats Mike.

But yes, the format sucks given the amount of time a pair will likely be sitting out. They really should introduce a 6th team like the open camrose did.

[paulg]

brianshark, on Feb 19 2008, 02:29 PM, said:

But yes, the format sucks given the amount of time a pair will likely be sitting out. They really should introduce a 6th team like the open camrose did.

They'd have to invite a foreign team to make up the numbers as England is the only country who'd have any chance of putting up a second team (and this would be unacceptable of course).

France or the Netherlands seems the obvious choice.

Paul

[brianshark]

I would not complain if England had two teams.

[Ant590]

Do you get a star now Mikey?

[jdonn]

Congrats to all the winners. Now if one of them could just teach me to speak English I'd really be appreciative.

[MickyB]

brianshark, on Feb 19 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

I would not complain if England had two teams.

How about an England girls team as the 6th? Anyone who is annoyed by England having two teams might be appeased by the improved M:F ratio Not that it was too bad this year, about 2:1.

Someone suggested Israel as a 6th team, apparently they'll play in anything

[MickyB]

Ant590, on Feb 19 2008, 04:32 PM, said:

Do you get a star now Mikey?

Nah, hopefully if I play in the Under-28 worlds Though by then I'll have won the Spring Fours and Four Stars so it won't be an issue.

[jillybean]

Better late than never I hope - congratulations

[matmat]

vel dun