RI's senior team leads in world bridge meet

Indonesia was leading the field in the senior teams division after two rounds of the World Bridge Championship in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Spearheaded by Eddy Manoppo and Henky Lasut, the Indonesian contract bridge team, including Denny Sacul/Arwin Budirahardja and Harsudi Supandi/Wolter Karamoy, defeated France 17-13 to add to the previous days 25-2 thrashing of Guadalupe, reports said here on Tuesday.

France, which routed Monaco 25-1 in the second round, was in second place with 38 points, followed by Pakistan on 37 points. Pakistan lost to Israel 13-17 befor bouncing back for a 24-0 romp of French Polynesia, according to www.bridge.gr.

The senior teams competition, for those over 55 years of age, is scheduled to be played over 15 rounds under the round-robin system, with the team collecting the highest points declared the champion.

In the open teams event, Indonesia, comprising Franky Karwur/Santje Panelewen, Robert Tobing/Taufik Asby and Santoso Sie/Stefanus Supeno, was faltering, the 18th of 22 teams.

The team defeated India 19-11 in the first round only to crash in the following rounds -- 8-22 to the United States B, 14-16 to New Zealand and 9-21 to Taiwan.

United States A, led by Jeff Mekstroth/Eric Rodwell, lead the field with 83 points, followed by Poland on 81 points and Norway on 79 points.

Indonesia's women's team is also struggling after two rounds. Competing against 18 other teams, Indonesia has only collected 19 points to be in 15th place.

The United States A team was on top with 44 points, followed by the Netherlands on 43 points and Venezuela on 43 points.