How did you get started in bridge? At what age? Who from?
I grew up in a time before computers when “everybody” played cards. I played solo and 500 at school with friends and it was at the Australian Junior Chess Championships in Hobart when I had my first ever hand. Then taught myself by reading Goren’s Bridge in a Nutshell. Started at Sydney Uni that year (1975) and met Peter Gill who was running the SU Bridge Club. Peter taught me heaps and was my first serious partner through the late 80’s and early 90’s.
What do (did) you do professionally?
I started at Sydney Uni as a student in 1975 and never left. I studied Science majoring in Organic Chemistry. After some research and teaching jobs I had a high-level admin job in First Year Chemistry until retiring in 2016.
Who is your partner and for how long? Longest partnership?
I play almost exclusively with Pauline Gumby, who is also my life partner. Our first tournament together was the ANC Butler Pairs in Brisbane in 1992. The partnership has been pretty exclusive since 1995.
If you had a choice who would you like to play with? Australia and Internationally- living or dead?
I wish I’d had a chance to play with Tim Seres. I did have him as a teammate on a few rare occasions.
In your playing career, what is the bridge success that has the most meaning for you?
Making the quarterfinals of the Bermuda Bowl in Shanghai in 2007. The team (Neill-Jedrychowski, Peake-Green, Gumby-Lazer) was generally considered to have no chance, but was qualifying for the finals easily from about day 3 onwards.
And your worst moment in bridge?
It’s important not to dwell on mistakes, so I can no longer remember. I’ve lost a lot of important matches by 1 IMP, but I’ve won a few (including the 2007 Playoff) by that amount as well.
What do you do between sessions to put you in the best frame of mind for the following session?
Depends where I am, but generally I just relax. Maybe watch some of the Australian Open Tennis or some cricket if it’s on. Maybe do a cryptic crossword.
Do you have a favourite and least favourite convention?
I’m not a system person, so don’t really have any favourites. Minorwood, with a first step showing a minimum hand for the previous bidding, has got us to some good minor suit slams. I refuse to play Gerber.
Would you prefer to have more system or less?
Definitely less, but despite this most changes to the system involve adding stuff, not removing it.
What do you do to improve your game?
N/A. I feel I’m now at an age where I’m going backwards. Doing the Master Bridge hands (free on BBO) is always good practice. There are levels appropriate for all players.
Favourite bridge book?
As a useful text, Reese on Play, or any book by Reese for that matter. For humour, all the Bridge in the Menagerie books by Mollo. Adventures in Card Play showed me the true beauty in the game. There’s magic in every hand. How that book could be written before the advent of double dummy analysis programs amazes me – it was published in 1979.
What interests or hobbies do you have besides bridge?
Cryptic crosswords, trivia quizzes, word games, tennis
What is the number one thing that bridge has done for you as a person and for your life?
I met my life partner and most of my friends through bridge.
National Titles
Main ones are: National Open Teams, South West Pacific Teams (2000, 2018, 2024); Gold Coast Teams (2016); GNOT (1989, 2018); Spring Nationals Open Teams (2002, 2006, 2013), Blue Ribbon Pairs (1989, 1998, 2012); Autumn National Open Teams (2017), Victor Champion Cup (1988)
State Representation
NSW Youth Team 1982, 1986
NSW Open Team 1987, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2020,
2012, 2017, 2021, 2023 (4 wins)
NSW Seniors’ Team 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (4 wins)
International Representation
Aust Open Team 1993, 2006, 2007,
Aust Seniors’ Team 2017, 2019
Aust Mixed Team 2016, 2024
