Ireland's Baron Storage team came into form in round 17 of the World Bridge team championships, for the Bermuda Bowl, in Shanghai yesterday, with a 25-4 victory over Trinidad and Tobago.
Nick FitzGibbon and Adam Mesbur, not for the first time during the week, had a superb set, averaging plus 2.3 points per deal.
They were ably backed up by John Carroll and Tommy Garvey. Earlier, Carroll and Garvey, with Tom Hanlon and Hugh McGann, went down 12-18 to Argentina. In round 18, FitzGibbon, Mesbur, Hanlon and McGann engaged in a closely-fought battle against leaders Italy but lost narrowly 13-17.
The key deal was one in which FitzGibbon and Mesbur took a 500-point penalty from the Italians. It seemed a good decision, but the Italians at the other table bid a club slam. That represented the difference between the teams over the 16 deals.
The round robin ends today. Ireland has a chance to move up several places as it will meet Chinese Taipei, Egypt and Pakistan, all just above the Irish on the leaderboard.
In the key match of the qualifying competition so far, Italy decisively beat closest rivals USA 1, 25-2 in round 17 and sent out a clear message that it intends to retain the world title.
The Netherlands, Australia and Norway look safe with three matches still to be played. Any three of the next eight teams could take the remaining places in the quarter-finals. Only 17 points separate Sweden in sixth place from Poland in 13th. Between them lie China, Japan, South Africa, USA 2, Indonesia and Argentina. USA 2, winner in 2003 and beaten finalist two years ago, face three tough final matches against Indonesia, The Netherlands and Norway and may not make the final eight.
In the women's event for the Venice cup, USA 1, Germany, China, France and Canada look safe to qualify.