LAHORE, Dec 14: Maintaining their lead Ziaullah Baig and Hamid  Mohiyuddin  won  the Balijee  National Bridge Pairs Championship with an aggregate score of 560.5 Match Points at the Lahore Gymkhana Saturday.

Zia and Hamid, who led the first day with 61.90 points displayed a good defensive game, maintaining consistency to win the title for the first time.

The second session was full of thrill and excitement when the experienced pairs made all out efforts to regain lost ground.

However, the leading pair of Zia and Hamid remained in their best trim, such as on one board they bid and made 3NT which was beaten at other tables and some other pairs from the same direction contended to part score.

On another board where other pairs could not locate a lay-down slam, they successfully ventured ahead.

Izzat Khalil pairing with his regular partner Ghias, showed a remarkable performance on final day and secured runners-up position with a total of 522.50 Match Points. The pair was struggling at the sixth spot on first day.

Mohsin Chandna pairing with Amin Hakeem also showed improved performance to get the third position with two-day aggregate of 521 Match Points. Mohsin and Amin played sluggishly on first day as were not among the top 10. In the ladies section, the pair of Roshan Bokhari-Rubina Agha, popularly known as Teeta Agha claimed top position with a score of 475.40 Match Points. The pair also had the distinction of representing Pakistan in international and zonal bridge contests.

Elizabeth-Tahira scored 452.4 Match Points for the runners-up position, giving excellent display of their game.

Fareeda-Goga scored 450.5 Match Points to claim the third position.

Just a shade below, Najam-Abeda Ali obtained the fourth slot with 450.4 Match Points followed by Rehana Saigol-Samia Rashid who claimed last prize finishing fifth with a score of 446.70 Match Points.

The main event, the team’s championship started Friday .

According to the latest results of first two rounds, Bokhari 47, Punters 46, Giants 45 and Lums 43 are leading. Bokharis have defeated Electra while Punters did beat Five Stars 23-7.

Standings:

Men’s Pair: Ziaullah Baig-Hamid Mohayuddin 560.5; Izzat Khaleel- Ghias 522.50; Mohsin Chandna-Amin Hakeem 521; Masud Saleem-Mazhar Masood 519.5.

Ladies’s Pair: Roshan  Bokhari-Rubina Agha 475.40; Elizabeth-Tahira  452.4; Fareeda-Goga 450.5; Najam-Abeda Ali 450.4; Rehana Saigol-Samia Rashid 446.70.