The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland’s final trials to select a team to represent the Republic in the home international championship (Camrose Trophy) are being played over two weeks at the Templeogue Centre, Dublin, with six teams competing.

After the first weekend the leading placings are: 1st, G Barton (non-playing capt), R Boland, J Carroll, T Garvey, T Hanlon, Dr H McGann, M Moran, 77.13 victory points. 2nd, P Quinn (capt), D Cotter, C Holland, P Liston, T McCarthy, J Russell, 67.69. 3rd, the Rev E Glynn (capt), Dr GM Keaveney, P and M O Briain, D O’Gorman, T Walsh, 61.68. 4th, J Phelan (capt), L Phelan, L Mitchell, D Reddan, 41.75. Tournament director B Lawlor.

Over €8,000 in prizes will be awarded at the Drogheda congress next weekend in the Westcourt Hotel. Mixed and novice pairs start on Friday at 7.45pm. Major pairs, intermediate A pairs and intermediate B pairs start at noon Saturday. Major and intermediate teams start at Sunday noon. Open pairs start on Friday at 7.45pm, on Saturday at 1pm and 5.30pm, and on Sunday at 4pm.

Pre-entry for all the events except novice pairs and open pairs. Entries close Friday 3pm with Peter Byrne (086 8049531).

The 49th Limerick congress is in the Radisson Blu Hotel from October 11th to 13th. The programme is: Friday, mixed and novice pairs, 7.30pm. Saturday, the schools pairs, 10am; the major Swiss pairs (Imp scoring), and both the intermediate A and B pairs, 1.30pm. Sunday, teams 11am. Major entries: JG Fulham 061 410827 (7pm-11pm).