Continuing his stellar year (during which he has represented Australia in the Bermuda Bowl, been part of the winning teams in the Gold Coast and Melbourne national events and captained the Victorian team at the ANC) James Coutts has won the ANC TBIB Butler Pairs in Adelaide. This is one of the most prestigious titles in Australian bridge.

James paired with South Australian expert Justin Williams, with whom he had not played before. After a slowish start, they worked their way through the field during the gruelling 19-round event, to take the lead with four rounds to go and were not headed again, despite a loss in the final round making it a narrow victory.

Congratulations James!

– Christopher Leach.