KARACHI, Nov 7: Italy, the team that missed the crown in 2003 at Monte Carlo, at last snatched the Bermuda Bowl trophy from the reigning champions USA, says a press release of Karachi Bridge Association issued on Monday. The final score was 268-251.

When play started for the final, USA had the advantage of 20 lmps as the carry over. In the first two sets of 16 boards each USA further raised their score to 81 Imps as against 52, then in the next two sets, Italy played a very cautious game not allowing USA to take any advantage.

In the third set only a two lmps gain to USA 24-22, then in the fourth set it was 43-43. Italy made up grounds by scoring 42 as against 17 to USA thus reducing the lead to bare six Imps.

In the sixth set Italy finished plus 32 as against 18, they added one more point in the seventh set having a nine Imps lead then began the nerve shaking last set.

Noberto Bocchi, Dubion, Fulvio Fantoni, Claudia Nunes, Lorenzo Lauria and Alferdo Versace represented Italy.

USA-1 having Paul Soloway, Bob Hamman, Dick Freeman, Jeff Meckstorth, Nick Nickell and Erio Rodwell did extremely well but Italy was equally good for them.

In the seniors Bowl that saw a very dramatic finish. First USA-1 led, then Indonesia took over. They leveled scored at the close of 5th segment 161 to both. So the last segment proved decisive and USA-1 scored 52-29 to win the title.

French ladies claimed Venice Cup with 191 lmps, quite convincing victory against German ladies 136 lmps.—PPI