Balloch Kings and Queens win Scottish Minibridge Championship

An Inverness Primary School team has won the Scottish Minibridge Championship.

Head Teacher Karen Ross said: “I am absolutely delighted that Balloch Primary not only participated in this challenging event but came out on top across Scotland. The whole experience has been great not just for those in the team but for all our pupils who have been learning the skills of Minibridge as they tie in with the curriculum.”

Thirty four teams competed in the tournament - including nine teams from Inverness and the Black Isle. The north of Scotland heat took place last Monday in Elgin Bridge Centre. Teams came from as far as Aberdeen and Glenelg.

After combining the scores with the south of Scotland heat the Balloch team came out on top.  Both heats played the same hands.

Minibridge is a simplified form of bridge being promoted in primary schools by the Scottish Bridge Union.

The winning team was “Balloch Kings and Queens” comprising Jennifer Thomson, Emmanuel Laditi, Eilidh MacLean and Abi Smith from Balloch Primary School near Inverness.

Previous winners were Hutchesons Grammar School, Robert Gordon’s, Erskine Stewart’s Melville, and combined Aberdeen Schools. Over the last two years, tutors from the Scottish Bridge Union have been piloting 8-week courses in curriculum time in some Highland schools. Feedback from the participating schools is very positive, the teachers seeing gains in concentration, strategic thinking and social skills. These qualities are difficult to teach.

All the children enjoyed the event. Comments included “Good fun, makes your mind think, warms up your brain, and gets it working.”

The first 5 places were: Balloch Kings & Queens (1st); Aberdeen Bridge Dragons (2nd); Balloch Crowns (3rd); The Thistles (4th); and Aberdeen Harry Potters (5th).