New image on cards for bridge

It is a game most often associated with elderly ladies whiling away

their afternoons.

But the international competitive world of bridge arrived in Bath with a

tournament at the Roman Baths and Pump Room this weekend.

The England under-26 men's team took on the England women's team during

an exhibition event consisting of three matches.

Ed Jones, 22, from Leicester, and Mike Bell, 24, from Manchester, were

paired for the game and explained why they enjoyed bridge despite their

young ages.

Mr Jones, who started playing six years ago when his maths teacher

introduced him to it, said: "It is quite interesting and good fun.

"Some of my friends think it is silly but I get to travel all over the

world."

The pair have played in tournaments in China, Italy and Holland and are

about to go to Romania for the European Championships.

Mr Bell said there was a need for more young people to get involved.

He said: "We are trying to promote it because there aren't really many

schools that have got a lot of people playing. It just doesn't seem to

be happening any more."

The men's team's non-playing captain Chris Dixon, who is from Peasedown

St John is passionate about opening bridge up to a wider audience.

He said: "I think it is extremely important that more young people start

playing.

"One of the reasons is because not everybody is good at football, tennis

or cricket and this is a true mind sport.

"There is a perception that it is a game for little old ladies and

retired army colonels, but it is a real sport of skill."

Mr Dixon has been playing for 45 years and first represented his country

at the game in 1971.

The 64-year-old said he had been pleased with the number of people

stopping to watch the tournament today.

He said: "There has been a lot of curiosity about it because it is

challenging people's perceptions of what bridge is like."

One of the competitors playing on the women's team was Nicola Smith, who

has won the European Championships five times and the World

Championships three times.

She has been made an MBE for her success and is the only person in the

country to be decorated for services to bridge.

The women's team were gold medallists in the World Mind Sports Games in

Beijing last summer and the men's under 26s will be going to the

European Championships on Tuesday.

For more information about bridge in the area go to

www.bathbridgeclub.org or contact the English Bridge Union on 01296

317200 or visit www.ebu.co.uk.