The first order of business was, of course, to try to determine if anyone had won last week's tournament. Yahoo may never be forgiven for its disruption of last week's tourney and cries of going to the Zone were hissed and growled. Once it was announced that there was no winner, things settled down to normal behavior in the alley. Threats were made by both sides and puppy kisses were scattered about.

Dave bravely relinquished control to a new set of co-directors -- the Big Dog himself and little ole me (who will always be a feline at heart).

Things began beautifully -- registration was to be done at a table rather than in the lobby. This does make it easier for all and will be a permanent part of our beloved Ryders (although I agree with Dee here, Iain and Paul may do it all directly from the lounge - please try to work with whatever the director finds best for them). Thank you, Dave, for making this happen.

Then, problems occurred. Our wonderful subs (Jimkat58, Jeanneh_26, Melkor_vala) were needed immediately to replace partners who did not show up. A suggestion, folks (please read RULE here) -- do NOT register until your partner shows up, just announce in the lobby that you may need a substitute or new partner and something will be done to take care of you. (This really messes things up if you pre-register and partner is a no show) My wonderful, loving, super co-director (yes, I am prejudiced) was called to duty to play and we were left without any subs for the first round. Fortunately, there were no crashes. Dogs were howling, cats were hissing and the battles were ready to be waged!

Round One began with the announcement that Errikos/Dittny had bid and made 6D. Dogs came out howling their wins. Cats did their best, but never quite made it. Round One ended 9-7 cats (even though Melkor subbed as a dog and won!).

Round Two started with this director assigning a table to round one foes and losing a team of dogs. Finally, all was sorted and the cats came back ROARING win after win. Final result at the end of Round Two was 18-14 for the cats.

After much growling, hissing, licking of paws, assignments for Round Three began. To say they were mucked up would be one of the milder understatements. Cats were playing cats. Dogs were playing dogs. Former foes were playing former foes. One team was even assigned to two tables -- once as cats, once as dogs! What can I say, I goofed big time.

Fortunately, Dave was there to lend a hand and everyone took it all with the best of spirits. (Really it was due to the perseverance of Dee and the help of all the players by showing patience. Most of you were probably reminded of the early days of Ryder when I used to mess up the pairs or schedule two team of cats. Or leave you out of the match-ups altogether - right Dittny/Errikos?) By the time it was sorted out, we had lost two dog teams.

Hmm, our saber-toothed Smile was not seen -- perhaps he was hidden and having some doggy snacks? Finally, after a wail or two by me and extreme patience by everyone else, games were able to begin. Sadly, we were forced to prevail upon cats to play cats and to pull in another sub (thank you Iain) to have complete sets. Somehow, in the midst of this confusion we went from 17 tables to 18. Go figure that one out. I arbitrarily decided that in fairness to all, points should be given to both sides for these last two tables.

Finally, Round 3 was started by all. Of course, one table announced its victory before the late starters had completed the first hand. The cats began rallying and snarled their victories, but the dogs again raised their throats and howled their victories. While waiting for the final tables, there were offers of Rottweilers on skewers, cats as food in varying recipes and many, many cheers and hugs for my disastrous performance and great humor by all.

Ultimately, the dogs came through with a final score of 34-32. Well done and well earned, pups!!

To say that this was a day of slams would be putting it mildly. Besides the 6D and 1 other small slam by Errikos/Dittny, they also got 6C in Round 3. Kippers/Pom_Two also doubled up on slams, one of which was even a Grand Slam -- 7N in Round 1, 6H in Round 3. Kudos for that Grand!!!! Good_Girl and Good_Boy bid and made 6C in Round 3 to no avail. Woof_Man_Veep_Veep and Puppyvw bid and made 6S. Orla_11 and POB01br announced bidding and making 6H. Way to go one and all!

Now, for my final muck up. The only ones I know who won all three of their matches (and I'm sure there were more) were Ken who managed to do so with two different partners but still one team and Melkor who managed to win the first round with one partner and then switched to be Ken's partner for the next two. Of course, Mel whimpered and whined throughout about being a dog. This poor kitty gives Mel her deepest and sincerest sympathy since I know exactly how you feel!!! But ya done good! For those others who won all three of their matches, my apologies and I'll try to do better next time (if there is a next time). Add to the undefeated list Dittny/Errikos (well done guys). And also Puppyvw/Woof_Man_Veep. (A few things here - first, if you did win all 3, send me an e-mail and I will be sure you get posted to the 3-0 trophy. Second, to my knowledge, this is the first time we ever had 2 subs go 3-0.Way to go guys!! Third, we don't mind if there are mix-ups because without you we wouldn't have a tournament and fourth, I hope everybody feels like I do that you and Kenny are welcome back as often as you feel like doing it.

Dog Teams (I think): Rebos2Day_91/Barbara1424; Woof_Man_Veep_Veep/Puppyvw; Nonny53/JamesGreywolf; CCWaxman/Suegloss; Annaskitchen/Brown_Kangaroo; Jigglebelle/Deltagayle; HarrietCocker/Woo7NT; LittleLadybug/Silverwind (hmmmmm) ; Mitchlaru813/SugarMt2000; 1h8Cats00/Kalinka2; Puppyfinn_NV/Melkor_Vala; xBrorsen/Jean1998_1999; Jeanneh_26/Kenny_HA2/Melkor_Vala; Mom_N01za/Char4100; Softfire/Jimkat58; LoraineW/Snoefte_DK

Cats: Harlequin_Smiles/Roo5649; Incognito_UK/ScorpioKirsten; Orla11/POB01BR; Steve_Burdette/Teetime_44089;; Good_Boy/Good_Girl; Yadenwise/Bet_Marie; Psspill/Bearr117; Kippers68/Pom_Two(hmmmmm); FrancyLou/LaCatsMeow; Panchen_Lama/Suzy; KennieLong/Galeb_98; Im_Rod/AB_CD2002; Dittyny2k/Errikos53; ACastofMany/GolfnLady_SC99; Pretch/GolfyGal

Super Subs: Jeanneh, RSquirrel, Kenny, KennieLong, Jimkat, Melkor (and all those who I missed that helped so much, especially in the last round)

Welcome to Jeanneh58, Mom_N01za, Char4100