TLW 125 - Nomads Results

Scrabble EventsResults and ReportsOrganisers are encouraged to send a list of prize winners and a brieftournament report to the TLW editor as soon as possible after the event.Remember I can only publish them if you send them to me!Northern Ireland ChampionshipsJan 24th-25th (13 rounds)11 1264 Paul Gallen (#1)11 982 Kevin McMahon (#3)10 767 Stewart Holden (#2)9 456 Steve Perry (#7)9.0- 417 Mike Whiteoak(#10)8.5 758 Alex Balogun (#11)8.5 461 Jared Robinson (#16)8 763 Feargal W’head (#5)8 521 Rachelle Winer (#19)We were lucky to have a professional photographer around for much of the weekend whotook the following set of pics:West BerksJan. 17th (7 rounds)http://homepage.ntlworld.com/blackthorn_drive/20090125_scrabble/Definitely better than the average Scrabble snaps!StewartWest Berks AChris Vicary 6 630Steve Perry 6 511Calum Edwards 6 313Ed Martin 5 316James Rossiter 5 303West Berks BJim Lyes 7 228Nick Ascroft 6 583Victoria Kingham 6 337Martin Taylor 5 522George Downing 5 336West Berks CCarol Bartlett 7 305Barbara Haggett 6 446Charlotte Ward 5 544Evelyn Wansbrough 5 538Adrian Noller 5 308West SussexJan 25th (6 rounds)PitlochryJan. 18th - 21st (15 rounds)Pitlochry AMoya Dewar 10.5 659Kate Surtees 10 593Marjory Flight 10 389Mar’ret Armstrong 10 352Norman Smith 10 285Pitlochry BSheena Wilson 12.5 636Bob Jarvie 12 1019Alan Payne 11 806Lena Glass 10 731Sue Thompson 10 492West Sussex AKevin Synnott 5 699Chris Vicary 5 262Noel Turner 5 93Doj Graham 4 187Penny Downer 4 -5ChesterWest Sussex BPriscilla Munday 5 432Stephen Wintle 5 161Wendy Tiley 4 218Andrea Bailey 4 135Mark Smith 4 68West Sussex CFlorence Fontaine 5 392Susan Thorne 5 134Margaret Coleman 4 232Jean Shaw 4 217Brian Beaumont 4 131Jan 21-23 (10 rounds)Jan 30th - Feb 1st (17 rounds robin)Report from Kathy RushPitlochry AAnne Steward 8.5 394Trish Johnson 8 392Mar’ret Armstrong 7.5 488Caroline Atkins 6 330Mary Jones 6 237Pitlochry WinnersPitlochry BBob Jarvie 8 543Carol Grant 7 496Margaret Harkness 6 377Helen Polhill 6 213Nora Bain 6 179Another Chester tournament with no major problems, just the usual tile found in the bagor under the board after the game was finished. Self adjudication was available for the firsttime; it wasn’t used extensively but I do feel that as players become more used to it, it willbecome the norm for the majority. The top placings in Section A went more or less with theratings of the players. Phil and Wayne were first and second for most of the tourney, withHoward, Nuala and Moira taking it in turns in third, fourth and fifth places. By round fifteenonly Howard could prevent Phil or Wayne winning but he had to be content with third placeas neither of the top two lost their games. Going into round seventeen Phil was in the leadwith 14 wins against Wayne’s thirteen. Wayne won his game against Chris Quartermainewhilst Phil lost to Mike O’Rourke, putting them both on equal wins but Wayne had muchthe better spread; a closely fought tournament coming down to the wire.TLW 12523 TLW 125

Section C had more or less the same scenario with Colin in the lead from early on; Bronaghhad the same number of wins but was second on spread, with Heather, Philippa and Irenein the next three positions. In round sixteen Colin had a decisive win in his game againstBronagh; the large difference in their spreads meant that Colin now couldn’t be beaten. SectionB wasn’t as clear cut. Steve Balment didn’t have an easy time of it as any of the chasing groupof Jill, Jake, Hazel and Sylvia could have caught him. Going into the last round Jill, Jake,Hazel were all on eleven wins with Steve on twelve but realistically only Jill had a chance ofdenying him first place. In the event they both won their games. The highest scoring move ofthe tourney was played by Ronan Webb with his 9-timer ‘tromping’ for 194 points. This wasin his game against David Shenkin, who whittled away Ronan’s lead finishing just fourteenpoints adrift. While the final results are being processed there is a game of Scrabble bingowith the proceeds going to charity. The prize is a weekend for two at a Ramada hotel andwas won by Pearl Macdonald from Llandudno, playing in her first rated tournament.Saturday’s top placingsAUBRETIABob Violett 6 414Martin Harrison 5 - 60Andy Davis 5 -200BROMELIAAlec Webb 5 168Elie Dangoor 5 147Abraham Sosseh 4 174CLIVIAAsh Coldrick 6 562Ruth MacInerney 5 245Donna Stanton 5 -110DAHLIAGreg Kelly 6 80Ivy Dixon-Baird 6 37Carolyn Emery 5 21EUPHORBIAVictoria Kingham 6 -131Carol Smith 5.5 116Maurice Brown 5 205FUCHSIATed Lewis 5 349Peter Ashurst 5 215Lorraine Crouch 5 209GARDENIAAndrew Eames 7 342Yvonne Eade 5 542Dorn Osborne 5 197IXIAStany Arnold 6 388Vivienne Stokes 5 74Denise Saxton 5 34KALMIAChristine Tudge 5 354Vicky Nelson-Owen 5 87Garth van Vliet 5 -255LEYCESTERIACathy Poacher 6.5 271Remie Salazar 5 327Florence Davies 5 284Chester AWayne Kelly 14 1580Phil Robertshaw 14 1212Howard Wilde 13 1343Nuala O’Rourke 12 389Chester BSteve Balment 13 681Jill Jones 12 678Jake Berliner 11 52Hazel Parker 11 -207Chester CColin Nicol 15 1358Bronagh Kenny 13 588Heather Laird 12 600Philippa Morris 12 567Consolation prizes for Saturday were:Ratings prize: Ivy Dixon-BairdHighest spread: Yvonne Eade +542Best last three games:Lorraine Crouch 3 wins, +391Theme word: FIREWEED, Andy Roughton.Nottingham NomadsFeb 7 - 8th (16 rounds)Report from Clive Spate“Global warming ? My arse !” could well have been a line from Jim Royle pertinent to theweather leading up to the event. As the snow centred on different areas of the country as theweek progressed it was pretty obvious that the phone would be busy with players cancelling.Thankfully, despite getting eight late cancellations we had six others willing to step in atthe eleventh hour and everyone arrived at the hotel on time. I can only recall one previousFebruary since 1996 when the weather had caused anyone to cancel. An unexpected benefitof the wintry weather was few people going outside between games, which meant lessdraught and noise.The theme word category ( flowers, things botanical/horticultural ) produced a record numberof submissions. In round one, the best word was TROOLIE, which I expect is one of thosewords which most serious Scrabble players know, but few would have a clue to its meaning.As I announced the word, visiting South African player, Garth van Vliet, instantly came upwith the definition : the bussu palm. I learned that Garth is a professional juggler – perhapshe would entertain us if we got snowed in?A veritable Titchmarsh of plants, shrubs et al were played during the day: ANEMONE, CEP,CHIVE, COMICE, COMPOST, ERICA, FIREWEED, GARDENIA, GEUMS, HEBES, HOSTA,LOBELIAS, LUPINE, PASSION, ROJI, ROSARIA, STAMENS, TENDRIL, VERBENA, VIOLA,ZINNIAS among them.TLW 1254SUNDAYIvy Dixon-BairdIn weather terms : so far , so good. No more snow had fallen overnight, though the forecastpredicted a fall later in the day. We would have to see how things developed and, if necessary,adjust the schedule.A change of theme from flowers to things cold or wintry produced a sharp reduction in thenumber of words submitted – most having some relation to ICE. One game was drawn withscores of 457 – not far from the ABSP record of 470.The raffle raised £386. Thanks to everyone who donated prizes or bought tickets over theweekend. Further thanks are due to Alistair Darling courtesy of the VAT change to 15%.Like most organisers, we have to book the venue a long time in advance and the rates onour contract were at the old rate of 17.5%. Though the reduction has been pooh-poohedby many commentators it produced a bill nearly £200 less than expected. ( To balance anyperceived political bias, I should mention that Gift Aid, introduced by the Conservatives in1990, also adds to swell the totals raised.)Since refunding everyone about £2 after the event not a feasible option, the choice was eitherto donate the extra to the two cancer charities we support or add the surplus to the prize fundat our next tournament. I decided to canvas opinion via uk-scrabble and the overwhelmingresponse from those who replied was to donate the money to charity. Thus, the LymphomaAssociation and the Leukaemia Appeal Fund each received cheques for £600.5 TLW 125

MAGNOLIAWayne Kelly 7 789Andy Davis 6 341Elie Dangoor 4 343OPUNTIALewis Mackay 8 989Jared Robinson 5 242Jackie McLeod 5 194POINSETTIAHoward Wilde 6.5 581Greg Kelly 6 237Paul Richards 5 – 21ROBINIAMaureen Chamberlain 6 344Maurice Brown 5 170Mike O’Rourke 5 84STRELITZIAPhilip Aldous 7 273Peter Ashurst 5 199Tony Davis 5 171TRADESCANTIADavid Meadows 6 224Yvonne Eade 6 215Mary Allen 5 140VALLISNERIAViv Beckmann 6 445Marlene Skinner 6 178Philippa Morris 5 337WISTERIABarbara Hill 6 218Nicky Huitson 5 235Carmen Toscano 5 229YAUTIAVal Hoskings 6 232Ken Bird 5 435Cathy Poacher 5 268ZINNIAAdrian Noller 6 396Paul Walford 6 223Barrie Hall 5 103Consolation prizes were:Best runner-up over the whole weekend: Yvonne Eade 11wins +717Best run of games over both days : Philippa Morris, 8 wins, + 601.Highest spread: Ken Bird, 435Theme word: KAGOULS Kate CarneyPhilippa MorrisPlay finished about ten minutes ahead of schedulejust as the predicted snow was starting to fall.Thankfully, it was nothing like as bad as earlier in Yvonne Eadethe week and, as far as I know, everyone got home safely.EdinburghFeb 7th (7 rounds)The next Nomads weekend, our 29 th , is on August. 8 th and 9 th .New MaldenFeb 7th (6 rounds)Photos from Mauro PratesiDespite the snow and the unavoidable cancellations 104 contestants played in the sixgame tournament. The first division had the option of self adjudication which seemed wellreceived. Local Explorer Scouts did the refreshments and running very efficiently. Mauro onthe computer was the backbone and mainstay of the event.Vincent BoyleDavid HolmesNew Malden AVincent Boyle 6 557Azu Ogbogu 5 317Theo Kumi 4 231Ratings: Jessica PratesiNew Malden BDavid Holmes 6 501Andy Gray 5 250Len Edwards 4 394Ratings: Stephen WintleScottish MastersFeb 14-15th (11 rounds (Round Robin))Allan Simmons 10 697Ross Mackenzie 7.5 217Helen Gipson 7 884Philips Owolabi 7 430Neil Scott 6.5 482Wilma Warwick 6 -38New Malden CJayaska Baranage 5 545Angele Andrews 5 255Vivienne Newman 5 174Ratings: Peter ErnestNew Malden DQuentin Baker 6 835Ailsa Edwards 5 294Ruth Turner 5 134Ratings: Ted SmithRicky Zinger 6 -85Amy Byrne 5 -376Alan Sinclair 4 -114Raymond Tate 4 -315Christine McKenzie 2 -1025Simon Gillam 1 -757Jayaska BaranageQuentin BakerEdinburgh ANeil Scott 6 593Wilma Warwick 5 527Amy Byrne 5 476Iain Harley 4 233Edinburgh BMargaret Harkness 6 510Helen Polhill 5 303Mary Jones 5 257Carol Malkin 5 65Edinburgh CCaroline Foy 6 596Mary Orr 5 127Robert Peters 5 9Gordon Winter 4 307TLW 1256Allan SimmonsRoss Mackenzie7 TLW 125

Peterborough21 st February (7 rounds)Report from Chris HawkinsPeterborough’s first one day event was trying a few things out for the first time this year,alongside the usual change of penalty challenges: self-adjudication (where players havethe option of leaving their seats and going to an unmanned laptop to perform the challengeprocess themselves, rather than giving the challenge slip to a runner), and round robingroups instead of 3 ‘normal sized’ divisions. Written feedback handed in by roughly half theentrants at the end of the event seemed to indicate that the majority preferred the round robinformat, could live with self-adjudication and realised that penalty challenge doesn’t impactthat greatly on how one approaches the game, and does help to give a quieter atmospherein the playing area. On to the games…Division EDamian O’Malley from Hertfordshire won this division fairly comfortably with 6 wins +618,indeed he would have won all 7 were it not for a recount in round 4 that turned a one pointwin into a two point loss against new player Adam Bainbridge from Peterborough.Division DSarah Wilks (Grantham) dominated in this division winning her first 6 games, and the division,with a round to spare. As so often happens in situations like this, she lost her final game, toPat Friend from Bourne. Her final score was 6-1 +363.Division CGraham Wakefield (Peterborough/Bourne) won here with 6 wins +594. His only loss was toBen Wilson (Lincoln) in round 5, who finished fourth.Division BAfter 4 rounds Mike and Nuala O’Rourke (East Midlands) were the only two unbeaten players,and by a quirk of the fixture list were due to play each other in round 5. Mike triumphed, andwent on to win all 7 games (+409), the only player on the day to win all his games.Division AEd Martin (Middlesex League) and Azu Ogbogu (Nigeria) took turns in the lead throughoutthe day. Going into the final round Ed was one win ahead of Azu and Jake Jacobs (Cambridge)and just needed to avoid defeat against Bob Violett (Essex League) to secure victory, whichis just what he did. Final score 6-1 +444.New Player EventFeb 15th ( rounds)The New Player Event was billed as six games but due to various problems, including fourno-shows and Ben’s only helper compeltely failing to appear (and I sincerely hope theperson in question has a decent excuse) the event started late and the sixth game had to bedropped. Nonetheless I understand that the event was very successful and everyone had afun time. I’m sure Ben will have more to say when he’s recovered from what must have beena very tiring day.Congratulations in particular to Rebecca, Charlie and Mike for finishing in the prizes andto everyone else for taking part. I look forward to meeting many of these new faces in thefuture!AndoverFeb 22nd. (6 rounds)Report from Alan Bailey5 582 Rebecca Sheldrick (#9)4 506 Charlie Reams (#1)4 322 Mike Holmes (#2)4 294 Nick Mullan (#22)4 28 Jayne Grey (#8)3 260 Peter Berrie (#5)3 159 Christine Hunt (#17)The 9 th Grand Hampshire Championship was held in the John Hanson School, Andover, onSunday, 22 February. Not much went wrong.It was off to a good start. There were no cancellations in the last week or on the day. All102 competitors had arrived by 10.00 end of registration, including the 2 carloads forcedto detour from a closed section of M25.Peterborough 5pp A6 444 Ed Martin (A4)5 132 Azu Ogbogu (A6)4.5 210 Gareth Williams (A7)Peterborough 5pp B7 409 Mike O’Rourke (B5)5 313 Femi Awowade(B1)5 -3 Paul Bassett (B4)Peterborough 5pp D6 363 Sarah Wilks (D3)4 344 Angela Burke (D5)Peterborough 5pp C4 131 Pat Friend (D4)6 599 Graham Wakefield (C3)Peterborough 5pp E5 218 Alison Sadler (C5)6 618 Damian O’Malley (E6)4 115 Heather Burnet (C6)5 286 Claire Violett (E2)4.5 161 Adam Bainbridge (E3)There were 4 divisions, 24 in A and 26 in the others. Ratings spans were respectively:179-144, 143-119, 119-103, and 102 downwards including one first-timer. Results areappended. (and should mention Ralph Obemeasor winning the T. Hollington trophy)Penalty points for wrong challenges were not inflicted, nor was self-adjudication introduced.Hall and power-point layout would make that difficult. The best method here, and probablyelsewhere, would be a hand-held machine to each pair of players which the challengerwould switch on and type into, and the challengee would press for the check and switchoff in conclusion.TLW 12589 TLW 125

School pupils provided the runners, and 2 pairs of them alternated as adjudicators underthe guidance of Ruth Marsden on computer. This worked well and it is the first time in myexperience that runners, i.e. the 2 youngest, have been asked to slow down! Computerliteratepupils had no trouble coping with adjudication but checking afterwards revealed 3faulty decisions, of which only 2 were rechallenged and corrected in time.There is no evidence of over- or frivolous challenges. The pluralising S featured on most ofthe interesting ones. NETIZENS was of course allowed, implying that the player is more upwith modern communications than the challenger. Other plurals included BREEDINGS,INBOARDS, JUGALS, MEASINGS, PERVINGS, SEARINGS, SNEERINGS, SUPPLES &SWEATINGS, 2 of which were correctly disallowed. Then, which of us has not once beencaught out by putting D on RIOTISE? Equally verb-like is GENOISE, and a D on that broughtone of few rechallenges. One player challenged MOWN. Next thing we knew it had grownan S, so that challenge went down. Well, how common a word is MOWN nowadays?PortisheadFeb 22nd. (5 Round Robin)LeicesterFeb 28th (6 rounds)Report from Alison SadlerMark Murray 4 185Beverley Calder 4 169Rose Calder 3 201Pamela Sparkes 2 -71Jason Goddard 1 -172Rod Winfield 1 -312In fact the director was under-employed, called upon only to deal with a couple of potentialchallenges out of time, and one instance where a player had overdrawn 1 tile which opponentdid not notice until she had completed her turn. At one point COZIEST was challengedbut the challenger was too late to add in the TOB created by the T, an expensive lapse. AsI dealt with that a challenge came from another game for STOB.Provision of cooked lunch was the main snag. No longer done in-house, its quality hasgone down and its price up. In an unexpected addition we had to go outside to be servedand carry it back, which would have been courting disaster had not the weather been kind.In future there will be no mid-day meal catering; it’s normal bring your own.This tournament would not run at all, let alone successfully, but for the tremendous practicalsupport of the School Association. Whether or not they read this, it is important for players,actual and potential, to know it. If things go badly here, blame the director. If they gowell thank Ruth Marsden the computer whizz and the John Hanson parents who set out thefurniture, dispense refreshments, and turn themselves into auxiliary runners in their emptymoments; a tournament director’s dream scenario.On Saturday, February 28 th 82 people gathered at Glenfield for what proved to be anenjoyable day of scrabble.Wayne Kelly distinguished himself by chalking up his third tournament win in a row; alongthe way playing such gems as TYIYN, ETHERION, TRAPEZES and INDUVIAE.A self-adjudication station was set up to be used as an option; we were also well staffedwith runners. This proved quite popular with several A Division players (due to the positionof sockets in the hall, it was sited nearest to Division A).Our only problem was incorrectly filled in scoresheets; although these did not impinge onthe running of the tournament to any great extent, they still caused extra work chasing peoplewhich could have been avoided.Nevertheless, the day was very successful, with around £250 being raised for the LeicesterHaematology Research Fund.Leicester A6 516 Wayne Kelly (A2)5 345 Philip Nelkon (A6)4 447 Jackie McLeod (A4)4 392 Mark Goodwin (A7)Leicester B6 587 Colin Kendall (B11)5 95 Dennis Hussey (B23)4 371 Val Hoskings (B18)4 234 Jack Anscomb (B1)Leicester C5 288 Trevor Warwick(C22)5 287 Paul Cartman (C5)5 219 Jackie Aldous (C2)5 192 Lee Fisher (C17)Andover APenny Downer 5 717Chris Finlay 5 342Steve Perry 5 311Graham Harding 4 317Andover BBrenda Margereson 6 304Michael Baxendale 5 222Norman Smith 4 326Rita Todd 4 295Penny DownerAndover CPaul Harding 6 209Margaret Seabrook 5 351Priscilla Munday 4 370Vivienne Newman 4 281Andover DFay Goble 6 236Shirley Cave 5 629June Lindridge 4 312Brian Beaumont 4 309Barony CastleFeb 27th - Mar 2nd (17 Round Robin)Amy Byrne 12 1352Trish Johnson 11 872Rhoda Gray 11 625Nick Jenkins 10 402TLW 1251011 TLW 125

Southend InvitationalMar 1st (7 rounds)Report and photos from Mauro PratesiTwenty players came to the Old Fire Station in Hockley on Sunday 1st March, to play ninerounds with twenty minutes per player. Kevin Synnott and Evelyn Wallace arranged thetournament while Mauro Pratesi was in charge of keyboards.Calum Edwards lost his opening game to Diane Pratesi 340-364 but went on to winthe remaining eight games to win Division A with 429 spread. Calum’s crucial win wasin beating Mike Whiteoak 483-432 in round 7. Mike Whiteoak and Diane Pratesi sharedseven wins in second and third.Division B had four different leaders before Len Edwards, who had languished in 9th placegoing into the lunch break with only one win from three games, climbed steadily with sixstraight wins to make it a family double win. Three players finished behind Len all on sixwins: Ann Golding, Rachelle Winer and Carol Smith.Words worth a mention: Division A word score prize went to Mike Chappell who playedJONCANOE for 102. His opponent, Diane Pratesi had 3 bonuses in a row: VOYAGER 74,ENDLANG for 77 and HOYDENS/JONCANOES for 101. Diane also had three in a row inthe previous round: ZINCIEST 90, BAPTIZED 71 and PIDDLERS for 70. Diane only managedNAIVETES in the last round unable to get three threes in consecutive rounds! Teresa Hillwon the prize for the highest scoring word in DivisionB; DICKIER for 102. A self adjudication computer wasavailable for challenges but a fair amount of challengescame up via the standard hand-up-in-the-air/runnersystem. Anyone familiar with the following? AUBADES,COSYING, DOGHOLE, EGOITIES, ISOETES,LECHAIM, SENECIOS, TENDRON, WUXIA.Calum EdwardsPeterborough Free Ch.Mar 7th (7 rounds)Report from Chris HawkinsLen EdwardsFollowing on from the Penalty Challenge event in Peterborough two weeks previously, 58competitors descended on Peterborough once again to participate in the Free Challengeevent. 33 of them had also come to the 5PP event, and so they were also trying to win the‘combined event’, decided by the total of their wins at both tournaments.In Division G after 2 rounds, every single player in this division was on 1-1! Eventually IreneNewberry rose to the top and finished with a winning score of 5½-1½ +158. In Division FJean Mainwaring led for much of the day, but was overtaken by Vicky Nelson-Owen in round6 who lost out to Damian O’Malley at the end, who finished on 5-2 +6.In Division E Margaret Marshall led for the first 3 rounds, but was overtaken by Angela Burke,who didn’t relinquish her lead and finished on 6-1 +382. In Division D Carol Smith led afterround 1, Lois McLeod led after round 2, then Evelyn Wallace looked like she’d stamped herauthority on proceedings, leading for the next four rounds. But Carol Smith, who’d had adrawn game in round 2, came through to win the division by just half a win, finishing on5½-1½ +233.There were 4 different leaders in Division C, but eventually Neil Broom rose to the top inround 5 and held on to the lead until the end. There were 5 players who finished on 4 wins,one win behind Neil on 5-2 +239. 3 different players held the lead in Division B in the first3 rounds, but Graham Wakefield hit the front in round 5 and eventually won by 1½ wins,with a score of 6-1 +217. There were two tied games in this division (4 in the 6 divisionsmentioned so far!)The lowest rated player in Division A was expert Alec Webb at 169, so it was going to bea tough day for all concerned in this division. There were 4 different leaders in the first 5rounds, but eventually Martin Harrison rose to the top and won with a score of 6-1 +368,an impressive two wins clear of the player in second place.There was one more drawn game to report in division A, between Nick Deller and AlecWebb. What was special about this draw though was that the final score was 522-522! Thisbeat the previous record of 477-477, also held by Nick (and Teresa Camilleri), and was laterconfirmed as a World Record, beating the previous best of 510-510.In the combined event, Graham Wakefield’s 6 wins in division B, together with his 6 winsin his division C win two weeks previously gave him a 14 game performance of 12-2 +811,the best of anyone who’d attended both events. He keeps the Peter Finley Memorial Trophyfor one year.Peterborough Free A6 368 Martin Harrison (A3)4 382 Phil Robertshaw (A1)4 256 Kwaku Sapong (A7)Peterborough Free B6 217 Graham Wakefield(B8)4.5 341 Ben Wilson (B4)4 116 John Hardie (B3)Peterborough Combined (14 rounds)12 811 Graham Wakefield C B11 624 Damian O’Malley E F10 726 Angela Burke D E10 125 Mike O’Rourke B A9.5 110 Carol Smith C D9 310 Alison Sadler C C8.5 449 Martin Harrison A APeterborough Free C5 239 Neil Broom (C2)4 205 Theo Kumi (C3)4 92 Alison Sadler (C1)Peterborough Free D5.5 233 Carol Smith (D5)5 244 Evelyn Wallace (D6)4 61 Heather Burnet (D4)Peterborough Free E6 382 Angela Burke (E3)5 328 Linda Barratt (E2)5 170 Margaret Marshall(E8)Peterborough Free F5 6 Damian O’Malley (F6)4 294 Jean Mainwaring (F1)4 -45 Vicky Nelson-Owen(F2)Peterborough Free G5.5 158 Irene Newberry (G7)4.5 75 Fred Burford (G2)4 85 Marjorie Lunn (G5)8.5 305 Ben Wilson C B8 205 Neil Broom C C8 188 Claire Violett E F8 176 Heather Burnet C D8 -110 Yvonne Eade D D7.5 -316 Paul Bassett B B7 169 Phil Robertshaw A ATLW 1251213 TLW 125

AngleseyMarch 6 - 9th (14 rounds)Anglesey APeter Ashurst 9 540Peter Darby 8 559Viv Beckmann 8 41SwindonMarch 8th (7 rounds)Swindon A6.0- 1.0 +342 A 169 George Gruner (A11)5.5- 1.5 +208 A 166 Chris Finlay (A8)5.0- 2.0 +461 A 168 Rael Hayman (A12)5.0- 2.0 +455 A 164 Diane Pratesi (A22)Swindon B6.0- 1.0 +502 A 136 Nick Baker (B5)6.0- 1.0 +255 A 138 Marion Kirk (B16)5.0- 2.0 +255 A 142 Pat Colling (B9)5.0- 2.0 +232 A 137 Rose Calder (B8)LothianMarch 8th (6 rounds)Lothian ANeil Scott 5 472Simon Gillam 4 476Amy Byrne 4 266TLW 125Anglesey BRhoda Gray 10 509Irene Atkinson 10 427Barbara Lukey 9 470Lothian BAlec Robertson 5 506Michael Harley 5 350Willie Scott 5 166Subject: [uk-scrabble] Cardiff results and ratings dataDate: Sunday, March 15, 2009 09:41From: John Grayson To: Conversation: [uk-scrabble] Cardiff results and ratings dataCardiff Saturday March 14th results from Gareth Williams7 rounds - round robin.14Anglesey CJean Shaw. 11 944Rose Wall 9 512Kenneth Lovell 9 80Swindon C6.0- 1.0 +613 A 117 Jean Williams (C29)6.0- 1.0 +489 A 113 Fay Madeley (C20)6.0- 1.0 +311 A 114 Heather Laird (C19)6.0- 1.0 +273 A 118 Eileen Basham (C4)Swindon D6.0- 1.0 +419 A 99 Janet Milford (D18)6.0- 1.0 +412 A 92 Sheila Wyatt (D30)6.0- 1.0 +319 A 94 Malcolm Davis (D10)5.0- 2.0 +573 A 93 Rod Winfield (D29)Lothian CRobert Peters 5 482Doreen Jarvie 5 408Alison Peters 4 127LETTERSDear Editor, 1.04.09Introducing Tile Change ( a change you will welcome )I have just completed an important research project into the development of the English language since the 1930s whenthe Scrabble tile set was established by Alfred Butt as the basis for our world acclaimed game as we know it today.Using the tried and tested methodology invented by Butt, I studied the front pages of the Times for a week in Februaryand discovered that our language has changed dramatically over the last 70 years. This means that the current tile setno longer represents the common usage of today. I deduced that the biggest change had occurred over the last 5 yearsdue to two significant factors.One was the large number of Polish immigrants settling in Britain and the other was the huge increase in newsworthy activitiesof the many enthusiastic supporters of Islam who now reside in the larger cities throughout the UK.Travelling around with small groups of our leading Scrabble players I studied their activities as they anagrammed andPalm read throughout their journeys to major Tournaments. They described this as a valuable warm-up exercise for theseimportant events. They assured me that this tile imbalance would be best remedied by the simple addition of ten tilesto the standard set. Having realised the need they agreed to carry out a coordinated campaign to bring about this ‘ tilechange’ by posting compelling arguments on internet message boards.They agreed that the ten additional tiles which would best remedy this changed scenario should be C Z W Y K and B LM H D .These experts then calculated that this change would immediately increase the potential of scoring a bonus word in thefirst three moves of a tournament game by a staggering 7.48%. Furthermore the average game score of a player ratedover 165 would be increased by a minimum of 18 points.They did concede that players rated below 135 would probably see very little change in their average game score andunfortunately, as weaker players rarely employed the Uston Advanced Point Count method, those rated below 120 wouldexperience a significant reduction in scoring ability.The equipment manufacturers who commissioned this research assure me that they will be able to bring about a worthwhile9.3% reduction in the weight of a standard tile and so the actual weight of the new 110 tile sets will be slightly lower thanthat of the currently used 100 tile sets. This will please the older players who increasingly now travel to tournaments bybus or train.Peter Sime (Scrabble Organiser - retired)Excerpt from the Corby Evening Telegraph.Carmen Toscano, a Corby scrabble player, came up with a 16 thousand million to onelucky dip!! with the word ‘SCRABBLE’ on the board early in thegame.The chances of picking these letters from the bag at the start of agame are 16,007,560,800 to 1. The chances of picking six correctnumbers in the National Lottery are 13,983,816 to 1.Therefore one had more chance of winning the lottery 1,144 timesbefore picking these letters!15 TLW 125Played at Corby

That Was ThenCollated by Robert Richland15 years ago:APSP Newsletter, issue 35, April 1994, editor Clive SpateAPSP President Allan Simmons announced that the Committee had created a new ratingsscheme; any APSP member may use up to a maximum of 100 of their rating points (50p apoint) to purchase money-off vouchers usable for APSP tourneys, subscriptions or merchandise.Only 5000 points were up for grabs and the scheme was to come into effect on April 1st1994. Requests for vouchers were to be sent to Ratings Officer Terry Hollington, DeptAPR/LF-001, 2 Strange St, Tale, Portsmouth PO99 4CE. Did anyone fall for this one at thetime, I wonder???On the letters pages, Isla Wilkie wrote saying she did not wish to renew her APSP membership;she had rather lost enjoyment playing owing to the recently allowed practice of “tile tracking”.Doubtless others like Isla frowned upon it as a form of cheating at the time; it’s now of coursea second-nature practice in Scrabble circles!A lengthy article by Noel Turner discussed the merits of “Strategy and Vocabulary”.Recent tourney wins included:Pete Finley (Bury and also Lothian)Gareth Williams (London - Tufnell Park)Di Dennis (East Berks)10 years ago:ABSP Newsletter, issue 65, April 1999, editor Paul GolderTop 3 in the ratings(no date given; presumably March 1994)1 Andrew Fisher 1982 Phil Appleby 1963 Allan Saldanha 194After much speculation that the fifth WSC would not take place in 1999, Mattel announcedthe date and venue . . . November 4th to 7th in Melbourne, Australia. It was the first timeit was taking place outside the UK and USA. Andrew Cook and Mark Nyman had alreadyqualified by virtue of being the two most recent NSC champions.The anti-SOWPODS lobby were making their presence felt amongst the letters pages. (Allwas resolved, of course, in 2001).Helen Grayson thanked several renowned scientists for getting their names into the Scrabbledictionary, amongst them NEWTON, COULOMB, TESLA, FARADAY and HENRY plusYNREH!Newly-wed Irish Champion Nuala O’Rourke was in the “20 Questions” hot seat. Question20 was “what would be your idea of a perfect day?” to which she replied “I’ve already hadit - on October 24th 1998 [the day she wed Mike]”.Scrabblers arriving at the Gateway Hotel, Nottingham in February (for the Nomads weekend)stumbled upon the Manchester United team checking out prior to their league match atNottingham Forest. A waiter reputedly asked United manager Alex Ferguson if he waswith the Scrabble group. Your TWT compiler recalls that David Beckham was in the lobbysigning several autographs. United won 8 - 2 that day.Overseas, Brits Evan Simpson and David Webb competed in the 50-strong, 18-game SydneyInternational Masters and finished 3rd and 12th respectively. The overall winner with a 16 - 2record was New Zealander Nigel Richards.Other tourney wins included:Jane Gibson (Chester)Alec Webb / Andy Davis (Nottingham Nomads)Martin Thomas (East Sussex)Russell Byers (Leicester)Bob Violett (Coventry)Joan Skirving / Helen Cowie (Cleveland Challenge)Paul Allan (Scottish Masters)Jackie McLeod (Romford Round Robin)Dick Green (Southampton)Andrew Cook (Swindon)Martin Thompson (North-East Masters)Ruth MacInerney (Melton Mowbray)5 years ago:TLW, issue 95, April 2004, editor Alec WebbTop 5 in the ratings(April 12th 1999)1 Andrew Fisher 2042 Andrew Davis 2023= David Acton 1953= Brett Smitheram 1953= David Webb 195The Collins debate raged on (following Mattel’s recent change-of-dictionary announcement);both Andrew Roughton and Don Davis put pen to paper firmly in the “against” camp. Therewas also a “Collins and Scrabble FAQ” plus responses from the ABSP Dictionary Commiteecomprising of Allan Simmons, Darryl Francis and David Webb. Allan also took a glimpseat some new words from Collins ready to make their debut.David Sutton penned “Notes from a Tournament Virgin”, following his debut on the tournamentscene at West Berks in January. He finished 3 - 3 in Division A.Christina French’s “Xtras” section began a series called “Little Innocents” featuring photos ofTLW 1251617 TLW 125

Scrabblers when they were children. First to feature was a snap of a toddler called WayneKelly and also kiddy pics of Christina and David French.Bob Violett came under the interview spotlight in the wake of his recent £3000 win onChannel Five’s “Brainteaser”.Elie Dangoor reported on the 16-game Mumbai International tourney held in late January.He finished 3rd behind native winner Ranganathan Chakravarthy (who won 60,000 rupees,then about £750) and 2nd placed Malaysian Alex Tan.Other recent tourney wins included:Results from Cork 2009 (13 rounds)11 878 Stewart Holden (#1)10 583 Feargal Weatherhead (#3)9 776 Kay McColgan (#4)9 242 Rita Hennessy (#19)8.5 -156 149 John Ryan (#17)8 679 Ronan Webb (#7)8 621 Joe McGinley (#6)8 370 Chris Broderick (#12)8 168 Pauline Weatherhead (#14)8 143 Eileen Farmer (#8)Paul Allan / Anne Ramsay (Glasgow v Lang Toun;top of their respective teams)Paul Allan (Scottish Masters)Helen Greenaway (now Harding) (West Berks)Amy Byrne (Pitlochry)Femi Awowade (Amsterdam)Chris Quartermaine (Chester)George Gruner (West Sussex)Russell Byers/ Phil Appleby (Nottingham Nomads)Nick Ball (Grand Hampshire)Austin Shin (Brentwood)Ruth MacInerney (New Malden)Adam Philpotts (Leicester)Top 3 in the ratings(March 22nd 2004)1= David Acton 2041= Andrew Fisher 2043 Phil Appleby 2008th Causeway Scrabble Challenge.Dear Fellow Scrabblers,I am pleased to announce the details of 8th Causeway Scrabble Challenge.Date of Event:: Wednesday 2nd December till Sunday 6th December 2009.Venue of Event:: The Zon Regency Hotel, Johor BahruDivisions: Masters and OpenThe 10 teams for the Masters Division in 2009 are as follows:1. Australia6. Thailand2. Canada7. UK3. Causeway*8. USA4. New Zealand9. Invitational Team A**5. Nigeria10. Invitational Team B**Little Miss PerfectMiss Fluster Duster needs no introduction to many of us but Little Miss Perfect was perturbedto say the least when everyone had their equipment, their clock as per the usual check list,but when it came to ‘opponent’ Miss P was on her own. Tentativelyraising her hand she drew the attention of the Tournament Directorto her plight. At this moment Miss Fluster Duster made her grandentrance and one hoped battle could then commence. Not quite!Fluster Duster had to unearth her scoresheet, pen AND her luckymascot and then to crown it all, she wanted the clock on the otherside. These things were all irritating in the extreme but by this timeour hitherto calm player - plus those on either side - were infected bythe prevailing atmosphere and took several moments to settle down.* Causeway Team comprises Top 2 rated players from Malaysia, Top 2 rated players fromSingapore and the highest rated Singapore/Malaysia player in Wespa Ratings** Wespa International ratings shall be used to invite Top scrabble players who did notmake it to the other 8 teams.The top 5 players in each country according to the local ratings system shall be invited torepresent their country. If any of the top 5 players cannot make it, the next player on therating list shall be invited. Players who decline to play in Masters are strictly prohibitedfrom playing in the Open Division.A total of 45 games will be played over 5 days with 9 games per day in both Divisions.Start time is 9.00 am sharp dailyTLW 1251819 TLW 125

TLW 125The RULES4.10.5 Time allowed for challenges- once Player A has made a play, Player Bmay take any amount of time to consider orto declare “Challenge”. If he is consideringchallenging, Player B should indicate bysaying “hold” to stop Player A from drawingtiles. This is on Player B’s time and Player Amay not draw replacement tiles until PlayerB has accepted the move.(See also Appendix - Conduct of Players.)Little Miss Perfect6. Interrupting the Game6.1 It is not permitted to neutralize the timerother than for the purposes of agreeing thescore, calling a challenge, enforcing the ruleon extra tiles, or calling the Director.6.2 If either player must leave the boardtemporarily they must do so with the Director’spermission and on their own time. Therefore, ifPlayer A leaves in the middle of the game andit is Player B’s turn to play, Player B may makea play and then start Player A’s timer. However,Player B should refrain from picking fresh tilesuntil Player A’s return.“Throw your dummy out of the pram why don’t you?” our darling girl was tempted to say. Itwasn’t exactly a temper tantrum but it certainly highlighted Bad Loser’s attitude to the game.While both players were scoring a respectable 20+ with the occasional12 or 16 to balance the slight frisson of 8a 36, with both sides ofthe scoresheet roughly equal it was fine. But the minute LittleMiss Perfect got a healthy bonus and her nose in front, BadLoser changed her whole demeanour. Dark mutterings ensued.“You’ve had all the good tiles.” “Nobody can play with this lot.”“I’m giving up.” and several more such comments did not makefor a good game. Little Miss P did not enjoy that particular gameand Bad Loser made her feelings very plain. Miss P decided the bestthing to do was to learn from it, even if it was under the heading of“How Not To Behave!222205 Nigel Richards198 Wale Fashina198 Brett Smitheram(GM)197 Andrew Fisher(GM)197 0147 Helen Gipson(GM)196 1355 Craig Beevers(GM)195 0497 Andrew Davis(GM)195 0745 HarshanLamabadusuriya(GM)195 1750 Kevin McMahon195 1427 MikkiNicholson(Exp)194 Paul Allan(GM)193 Chris May192 0158 Ed Martin(GM)192 Andrew Perry(GM)191 1618 Paul Gallen191 Dennis Ikekeregor190 0823 Wayne Kelly(Exp)189 0015 Phil Appleby(GM)188 0482 Neil Scott(GM)186 1428 Martin Harrison186 0764 Lewis Mackay(GM)186 1368 Phil Robertshaw186 0007 Allan Simmons(GM)185 0621 Andrew Cook(GM)185 0057 Mark Nyman(GM)184 1497 Azu Ogbogu184 1570 Adrian Tamas183 Olatunde Oduwole182 Evan Cohen182 0814 Jared Robinson(Exp)182 0846 Austin Shin(Exp)182 0049 Bob Violett(Exp)181 1000 Stewart Holden(GM)181 0362 Gary Oliver(Exp)181 1672 Philips Owolabi181 0777 Adam Philpotts(GM)181 0338 David Webb(GM)180 1220 TheresaCamilleri(Exp)179 Chrys Placca178 0478 Elie Dangoor(Exp)178 0060 Terry Kirk(GM)178 Biyi Oyadiran178 0005 Brian Sugar(GM)177 0058 Russell Byers(GM)ABSP RatingsABSP membership number for members is shown before nameRatings at at 17th 20.01.2009March 01 2009At least 30 games since and at 18th least March 1 since 200720.01.2007177 0734 Nick Deller177 0038 Jackie McLeod(Exp)177 0004 Philip Nelkon(GM)176 0014 Di Dennis(GM)176 0770 Jake Jacobs176 0281 Steve Perry176 0224 Gary Polhill(Exp)176 1687 Howard Wilde175 1469 James Rossiter174 Christian Brown174 Gerry Carter174 0072 John Grayson(GM)174 Neil Green174 1713 Alastair Richards173 AdekoyejoAdegbesan173 0880 Femi Awowade(GM)173 0202 Penny Downer(Exp)173 Ian Gucklhorn173 0041 Gareth Williams(GM)172 1120 Anand Buddhdev172 1423 Calum Edwards172 0530 George Gruner(Exp)172 0021 Evan Simpson(GM)171 Richard Evans(Exp)171 Dick Green(Exp)170 Mark Goodwin170 0045 Barry Grossman(Exp)170 Richard Kennedy170 0172 Daniel Simonis169 0006 Darryl Francis(Exp)169 1408 Rael Hayman169 Fidelis Olotu169 Shane O’Neill169 0428 Kwaku Sapong169 1163 David Sutton169 Feargal Weatherhead169 0162 Alec Webb(Exp)169 1057 Mike Whiteoak168 1202 Jason Carney168 0079 Chris Finlay168 1006 Ross Mackenzie168 0999 Kay McColgan168 0088 Sandie Simonis(Exp)168 Chris Vicary167 Philip Cohen167 0199 Graham HardingPrepared byJohn Grayson167 Peter Igweke167 0165 Cecil Muscat167 1268 Abraham Sosseh166 1348 Alex_Gboye Balogun166 0609 Bob Lynn166 0154 Mike O’Rourke166 0115 Diane Pratesi(Exp)166 1102 Paul{England}Richards166 0479 AndrewRoughton(Exp)166 0555 Raymond Tate166 0123 Noel Turner(Exp)165 0914 Vincent Boyle165 0019 David Brook165 0368 Chris Hawkins(Exp)165 1429 Stewart Houten165 Clement Ikolo165 1619 Joseph McGinley165 Paul Nind165 1170 Paloma Raychbart164 1460 Paul Burton164 0836 Chris Fenwick164 Andrew Goodwin164 1243 Doj Graham164 1488 Edward Rossiter163 0343 Amy Byrne163 Catherine Costello163 0573 Gary Fox163 Mark Hollingsworth163 0268 Donna Stanton163 Neil Talbot163 Jin_Chor Tan163 0810 Linda Vickers163 0292 Wilma Warwick163 1674 Ricky Zinger162 David Delicata162 0059 Simon Gillam(Exp)162 0888 Chris Keeley162 Frankie Mairey162 0795 Chris Quartermaine161 Ademola Ajayi161 Paul Bassett161 0103 Danny Bekhor161 1375 Mike Chappell161 1419 John Hardie161 0463 Helen Harding23 TLW 125

161 Jeff Ngeze160 0978 Andy Becher160 0766 Christo Davison160 1221 JOjo Delia160 Graham Haigh160 1129 Lee Hartley160 1228 Mark Lane160 1279 Ben Wilson159 0852 MaureenChamberlain159 1486 Ashley Coldrick159 Chris Cummins159 Ed Garrett-Jones159 Ken Heaton159 0488 Marion Keatings159 1203 Greg Kelly159 0093 Ruth MacInerney159 0408 Nuala O’Rourke159 0101 Robert Richland(Exp)159 0213 Neil Rowley159 0226 Alan Sinclair159 1369 Ben Tarlow159 Frances Ure158 0241 Bob Berry158 Billy Dott158 0967 Gerard Fox158 Roy Miller158 0986 Robert Pells158 Malcolm Quirie158 1649 Paul{Hull} Thompson157 Olakunle Ajayi157 0789 Alan Bailey157 1440 Tim Charlton157 Alan Georgeson157 0837 Peter Liggett156 1016 John Ashmore156 1301 Rick Blakeway156 1473 Neil Broom156 0081 Joyce Cansfield(Exp)156 1164 Karl Kwiatkowski156 1746 Dan Sandu156 Karen Willis155 1466 Suzanne Dundas155 Christina French155 1728 Jerry Humphreys155 Christine McKenzie155 1714 Karen Richards155 0631 Alison Sadler154 1210 Graham Bonham154 Theresa Cole154 0589 Anne Steward154 Paul{Tranmere}Thomson154 0229 Graham Wakefield153 0024 Angela Evans153 0003 Laura Finley153 Helen Grayson(Exp)153 0471 Anne Hidden153 Llewellin Jegels153 Theo Kumi153 Matthew Pinner153 1715 Paul{Austral}Richards153 0116 Martin Thompson152 1046 Paul Ashworth152 0732 Wanda De_Poitiers152 Chris Harrison152 1044 Paul Howard152 0105 Elisabeth Jardine152 Timothy Lawrence152 0272 Ivan Swallow152 0489 Tom Wilson151 0051 Cathy Anderson151 Nick Ascroft151 0069 Moira Conway151 0063 Christine Cooper151 1145 Peter Darby151 1217 Carolyn Emery151 0608 Sandra Hoffland151 Victoria Kingham151 Sanmi Odelana151 1663 Mihai Pantis151 1510 Jessica Pratesi151 0480 Anne Ramsay151 1294 ChristineStrawbridge150 0066 Sue Bowman150 1211 Ian Coventry150 0933 Ann Golding150 0688 Lorraine Gordon150 0232 Iain Harley150 Debbie Heaton150 0793 Joanne Hiley150 0713 Trish Johnson150 0719 Kate Surtees150 1032 Kevin Synnott150 Richard Woodward149 0738 Margaret Armstrong149 0124 Ivy Dixon-Baird149 John Dunlop149 Mike Evans149 0331 Davina Galloway149 1270 Len Moir149 1019 Lynne Murphy149 1691 Wojtek Usakiewicz148 0635 Philip Aldous148 0534 Caroline Atkins148 Tony Bearn148 1322 Frank Forster148 Brian Jones148 1273 Peter Winnick147 0228 Adrienne Berger147 Ed Breed147 1035 Andy Gray147 1608 David Holmes147 0094 Rachelle WinerTLW 12524146 0427 Peter Ashurst146 1412 Melanie Beaumont146 0084 Pauline Johnson146 Lesley Trotter146 1459 Ronan Webb145 0252 Steve Balment145 0042 Barbara Brown145 0254 Ian Burn145 0932 Jill Parker145 0020 Janet Phillips145 0028 Lorna Rapley145 Russell Smith145 1189 Martin Taylor144 Tim Knight144 Pinaach Kolte144 1743 Naomi Landau144 0267 Graham Maker144 1097 Ronnie Reid144 0476 David Shenkin144 1287 Stuart Solomons144 0919 Peter Thomas143 Owen Bondin143 1092 Heather Burnet143 Alan Catherall143 0449 Alan Childs143 0395 Pat Colling143 0676 John Garcia143 0923 Teresa Hill143 1199 Richard Hitchcock143 0035 Lois McLeod143 0135 David Meadows143 1269 Richard Moody143 0707 Gwynfor Owen143 0690 Maureen Reynolds143 0624 Lesley Watson143 1149 Jim Wilkie142 0835 Maurice Brown142 0399 Louise Brundell142 William Coleman142 1067 Gavin Holmes142 1115 Nick Jenkins142 0100 David Lawton142 0875 Jim Lyes142 0067 Danny McMullan142 1198 Maurice McParland142 0161 Margaret Pritchett142 0996 Kenneth Ross142 0790 Margaret Staunton142 1231 David Steel141 Chris Downer141 Marta Dunsire141 Patricia Fenn141 1413 Geoff Goodwin141 Tim Hebbes141 1051 Elizabeth Hull141 1025 Marion Kirk141 0150 David Longley141 Huw Morgan141 Carole Rison141 0632 Carol{Norwich}Smith140 0822 Jill Bright140 Liz Dunlop140 Kate McNulty140 Jay Osborn140 0802 Patricia Pay140 0423 Alec Robertson140 Carol Stanley140 0637 Val Wright139 Nick Baker139 John Balloch139 Rose Calder139 Alasdair Dowling139 1519 George Downing139 Eileen Farmer139 0544 Marjory Flight139 Robert Johnston139 0537 Carol Malkin139 0863 Kay Powick139 0895 David Reading139 Nicky Vella-Laurenti139 0876 Evelyn Wallace139 1175 Rosalind Wilson138 Janet Adams138 Oluyemi Adesiyan138 0419 Michael Baxendale138 0096 Diana Beasley138 Martyn Colebrook138 1484 Karen Game138 Alan Guy138 0997 Phil Kelly138 Nola Marrow138 0099 Josef Thompson137 0080 Mary Allen137 Jean Bridge137 0469 Tony Davis137 1424 Len Edwards137 Brenda Margereson137 0458 Eileen Meghen137 Bryn Packer137 1380 Anthony Pinnell137 1320 Rita Todd136 Brenda Baxter136 Gila Blits136 1005 Verity Cross136 Kathy Greaves136 Dan Harris136 0655 Mary Jones136 Esther Kumi136 1136 Ted Lewis136 Wendy Lindridge136 1457 Amanda Sodhy136 1468 Kathy Suddick136 0177 Henry Walton135 0330 Viv Beckmann135 1559 Joe Bridal135 0238 Margaret Burdon135 Linda Hillard135 Peter Hunt135 0414 Jill Jones135 0456 Margaret Keegan135 0523 Kate Leckie135 Sally Lewis135 1050 Yvonne McKeon134 Liz{Leicester} Allen134 1631 Jack Anscomb134 0899 Jake Berliner134 David Carrod134 0061 Lorraine Crouch134 0406 Moya Dewar134 0242 Sheila Green134 0032 Ron Hendra134 Sheila Hinett134 1383 Sarah-Jane Jamison134 0397 Norma Nicholson134 Chrystal Rose134 0636 David Williams133 1262 Ginny Dixon133 1298 Helgamarie Farrow133 Annie Hawes133 Helen Jones133 0077 Joy Lloyd133 0236 Hazel Parker133 Martin Sheehan133 Carol Sienkiewicz132 0943 Carol Arthurton132 1693 Rafal Dominiczak132 0163 Yvonne Eade132 Helen Mitchell132 1237 Dorn Osborne132 0911 Marie Perry132 0505 Gordon Procter132 Omri Rosenkrantz132 0470 Norman Smith132 Evan Terrett132 1206 Sarah Wilks131 Gillian Ashworth131 Terry Jones131 1533 Colin Kendall131 1535 Marc Meakin131 0829 Kim Phipps131 Gilli Simmons131 0291 Sylvia Swaney130 Noel Barnes130 Garry Clark130 0992 Geoff Cooper130 Jean Dymock130 0092 Priscilla Encarnacion130 0840 Rhoda Gray130 Mick Healy130 0332 Debbie Holloway130 Norma Howarth130 Ruth Marsden130 1744 Mark Murray130 1666 Brid Ni Bhriain130 Mary Oram130 Jo Ramjane130 Pauline Russell130 1683 Janet Southworth130 1053 Stephen Wintle129 0639 Esther Bacon129 Phyllis Fernandez129 1146 Leonora Hutton129 1479 Bob Jarvie129 Tia Knowles129 1511 Colin Nicol129 Brenda Rodwell128 0856 Minu Anderson128 0557 Janice Bease128 Barbara Dein128 0223 June Edwards128 0570 Jean Gallacher128 0975 Jill Harrison128 1066 Barbara Morris128 Julie Nelkon128 0904 George Newman128 Annette Tinning128 Sheila Wall127 Gail Allen127 Sheila{Perth}Anderson127 Jean Carter127 Bob Christie127 1282 Barbara Goodban127 0625 John Mitchell127 Fred Rankin127 1315 Tanya Robson127 0029 Marlene Skinner127 Paul Steadman127 0246 Wendy Tiley126 0603 Linda Bradford126 Jean Crowder126 0381 Michael Harley126 0759 John Harrison126 Paul Heasman126 0211 Philippa Morris126 0443 Ann Pitblado126 0960 Mary Siggers125 0922 Barbara Allen125 1158 Wasinee Beech125 1455 Angela Burke125 1456 Andrew Eames125 1265 Joy Fox125 0718 Pat Friend125 0737 Margaret Harkness125 1257 Mary Hopwood125 0401 Sharon Landau125 1054 Barbara Lukey125 Tom Sharp124 Beverley Calder124 Norma Galley124 0776 Peter Hall25 TLW 125

94 1548 Viv Bishop94 1104 Hazel Brannan94 Len Choules94 1453 Anne Corpe94 0799 Cindy Hollyer94 Patricia Holmes94 Gwen Linfoot94 1030 Derek Neath94 1448 Joy Rowe94 Irene Swan94 Derek Turner93 Mark Bradley93 1289 Kerry Constant93 1643 Rhoda Farrington93 Kriss Foster93 1073 Jenny Harris93 Joan Johns93 Patrick Kelleher93 Jean Masterson93 1454 Janet Watson93 Joyce Watson93 Pippa Yates92 0517 Peter Basham92 1558 Maxine Brookes92 Fay Goble92 1008 Yvonne Goodridge92 Betty Hallett92 Dorothy Henry92 Rose Lawson92 1644 Kenneth Lovell92 Monica Marden92 1633 Robert Peters91 0526 Keith Churcher91 1480 Doreen Jarvie91 1392 Chris Leathem91 Esme Norris91 Hepzi Rodrigues91 Doreen Searles91 1501 Brenda Young90 Bernard Bruno90 0410 Myra Copleston90 0783 Barrie Hall90 Marcia Hall90 1176 Gordon Lamb90 1648 Irene Lawes90 1734 Olive Martin90 1397 Christine Silvester90 0900 Amabel Winter89 0683 Mavis Ernest89 John Macdonald89 Lionel Millmore89 1267 Margot Montgomery89 0119 Mary Ralfs89 Rena Waddell88 1471 Scott Bowman88 Jill Russell88 1174 Peter Trembath87 Betty Austin87 1465 Doreen Clayton87 Joan Garlick87 Matthew Hall87 0998 Jean Hendrick87 Trevor Warwick86 Florence Connell86 0828 Moira Metcalf86 Grace Peel86 Beryl Trace85 Jane Craig85 1148 Renee Gilbert85 1703 Christine Harding85 0684 Mary Keevy85 Pat MacLellan85 Olive Matthew85 Michelle Minnaar84 Chris Baker84 0563 Fred Burford84 Judith Puttick84 Alison Stilwell83 Hazel Boddy83 1616 Iris Grover83 Teresa Haycock83 Joyce Hoffbrand83 0132 Lorna Llewellyn83 Patricia Parton83 1390 Maria Raffaelli82 Beryl Basey82 Lionel Howard82 Sheila Johnston82 Paul Roberts82 Ovidiu Tamas82 0871 Fergus Williams81 1039 Dorothy Edwards81 1553 Brenda Keast81 1726 Duncan MacFarlane81 1588 Angela Rigley81 John Wilman80 Frank Goodier80 Eileen Hunter80 1759 Margaret{Edbgh}McGhee80 Alison Peters80 David Ringwood80 1399 Carol Russell79 Ed Evans79 Michael Murray79 1698 Olga Robinson79 Margaret Scamell79 Nick Stone78 0359 Vera Allen78 Connie Hudson78 1405 Elizabeth McNab78 Peter Munt78 1135 Sylvia Oates77 1290 Mary Kennedy77 1727 Anne Lynas77 Iris SemusTLW 1252877 1531 Lydia Sharkey76 Hilda Bristow76 1586 Sheila Cresswell76 Dorothy Double76 Jude Pettigrew76 Jean Ross76 1527 Brian Rowell75 Pat Carr75 Ann Gregson74 1485 Winnie Haston74 1541 Marjorie Lunn74 1545 Helen Nelson74 1629 Maggie Shutt74 Helen Thompson73 0908 Ted Anderson73 Margaret Cooke73 1719 Eileen Johnson73 1086 Margaret Webb73 Keith Woodruff73 Nancy Yorkston72 Mary Harris72 Muriel Mortimer71 Michael Double71 Catherine McMillan71 Millie Ward70 George Sinclair69 Doreen Coleman69 Joan Murphy69 Shirley Stokley69 1712 Felicity Suddick69 Jane Thomas69 Steve Wilkinson68 1733 Kate Carney68 Juliet Collins68 Barbara Reynolds67 Michael Slow66 Ann Duncan65 1316 Veronica Baker65 0949 Barbara Horlock65 Shelagh Howes65 Helen Tegg64 Nora Bown64 Peggy Lavender62 0541 Pamela Brown62 1741 Bill Croft62 0153 Mary Lindsay61 1581 Mollie Allam61 Betty Meazey59 Margaret Hallin59 Edna Lindeck57 1474 Carol Mouncey57 Barbara Yeaman55 1740 Zandra Begg55 1599 Margaret{Fife}McGhee54 Sonia Russell50 1614 Simon RosenstoneEDGEWAYSCryptogramCompiled by David SuttonCompiled by David Sutton(Puzzle Solutions on inside back cover)(Puzzle solutions on inside back cover)25 4 14 26 17 11 20 3 26 191 7 25 6 16 25 12 15 13 23 13 15 124 2 23 25 18 15 1 9 24 4 14 24 13 1515 18 13 25 19 8 15 14 4 7 24 4 11 1821 25 8 18 15 14 15 14 19 2 26 243 14 24 18 15 18 1 25 13 15 8 1415 8 18 15 26 22 26 15 22 25 18 14 26 1410 22 3 1 18 2 218 26 13 24 4 24 8 18 6 24 23 23 15 82 3 14 25 8 18 14 15 4 7 15 15 4 26 18 14 15 22 26 22 15 18 325 21 15 13 24 25 8 26 8 25 15 18 15 1813 25 22 24 18 15 18 23 15 8 18 24 16 1518 19 8 4 1 15 4 26 13 15 2 15 1818 15 18 18 1 8 14 18 26 22ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13CEDGEWAYS14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2629 1TLW 125

Author! Author!Blaise CendrarsFor this issue, Doj Graham takes on another of his expeditions tothe murkier reaches of the human psyche with a trip round'Moravagine', written in 1926 by theFrench author Blaise Cendrars. Hedescribes it as a dark, uncompromisingtale of unbridled misery,in which a doctor helps a patientescape from a lunatic asylum andfrom then on all boundaries arelost. It does include murder,twisted humour, plenty ofglobetrotting, revolution and asection on aviation.Among the words encounteredare:arbute, arbutus (Lat.) the strawberry-tree.argand (Fr.) a gas or oil lamp. [From A. Argand (1755-1803),French physicist].assai (Tupi) a kind of S. American palm tree.barbola An ornamentation of smallflowers, fruit etc. made of plastic pasteand coloured.barouche A four-wheeled hoodedargandcarriage.caruncle Any fleshy growth on thebody e.g. a rooster's comb.cascable, cascabel (Spanish) the partbehind the base-ring of a cannon.chica, chico, chicha An orange-reddye-stuff used by S. American Indians. barbolacuirass Armour for breast and back;(verb) to equip with a cuirass.cupule A cup-shaped structure on thebarouchefruit of some trees, e.g. oak, beech,chestnut.diastole The rhythmical expansion or dilatation of the heart andarteries. Cf. SYSTOLE.diplopia Double vision.erethism Abnormal irritability.fazenda (Port.) a hacienda, a coffee plantation.cuirassfibril A small fibre.fricative (A sound) produced by the forcing of air through arestricted passage, as with 'f'.glanders A disease of horses. No GLANDER*.infusoria A class of protozoa found in stagnant water.knout (Russian) to flog; to scourge.margrave (Ger.) originally, a lord or keeper of the bordersor marches in Germany.moujik, mujik, muzjik, muzhik (Hist.) (Russian) a Russianpeasant.nenuphar A white or yellow water-lily.palmettoobloquy Censure.palmetto (Spanish) any of various usu. small and sometimes stemless fan palms:PALMETTOES or PALMETTOS.peon (Spanish) a day-labourer, esp. inSpanish-speaking America: PEONS orPEONES.pinnule, pinnula One of the small divisionsof a decompound frond or leaf.pirogue, piroque, piragua, periagua A kindof dugout canoe.reseda (Lat.) a flower, mignonette.piroguepriedieu (Fr.) a low desk with a book-space above and a footpiecefor kneeling in prayer: PRIEDIEUS or PRIEDIEUX.silex (Lat.) finely ground TRIPOLI used as a paint filler.systole (Greek) rhythmic contraction of the heart.tsantsa (Shuari) among the Jivaro, the shrunken head of anenemy kept as a trophy.vaquero (Spanish) one who has charge of cattle, horses, etc.; aherdsman: VAQUEROS.vicugna, vicuna (Quechua) a wild wool-bearing llama-likeanimal of the Andes.zakuska, zakouska a Russian hors d'oeuvre: ZAKUSKI,priedieu ZAKOUSKI.vaquerosvicunasTLW 12523031 3TLW 125

32TLW 125The Useful 200: BirdsHere are two hundred relatively short and useful words for what may be less wellknownkinds of bird.AGAMIALCIDAMOKURAANHINGAANTBIRDAPTERYXARGALAAWLBIRDAXEBIRDBANTYBECASSEBONXIEBONXIESBRANTBROLGABUTEOCAHOWCAILLECARIAMACATBIRDCHAWKCHEBECCHEWINKCHIKORCHOOKCHOUGHCHUKARCHUKORCIRLCOBBCOCHINCOLIBRICOLINCOLYCONURECORBIECORBYCORELLACORVIDCOTINGACOUCALCOURLANCOWBIRDCROMBECCULVERCULVERSCUMULETCUSHATCUSHIEDOPPERDORHAWKDOTTRELDUNLINELANETELANETSEVEJARFANTAILFATBIRDGALAHGAMBETGENTOOGLEDGLEDEGLEENIEGNOWGOBURRAGODWITGOONEYGOONIEGOONYGOURAGRACKLEGRAKLEGUANGUANAYHADEDAHHAGBOLTHAGDENHAGDONHAGDOWNHAGLETHARELDHERNHOATZINHOUDANHUIAJABIRUJACAMARJACANAJAYJUNCOJYNXKAGUgalahgodwitgoura4KIGHTKILLDEEKISANKOELLEIPOALINTIELOERIELORIOTLORYLOURIELOWANMADGEMARABOUMINIVETMOHUAMONALMOPOKEMURRMURREMYNAMYNAHNENENISGULORTOLANPAVONEPEGGYPERNPHOEBEPIETPOTOOPOWINPOWNPYATPYETPYOTQUEESTQUELEAQUETZALQUEZALQUISTQUOISTROCHROSELLAROTCHROUENRURURYPESCAMELSCAUPSCOTERSHAMASIRGANGSISKINSITELLASKARTSKARTHSMEATHSOLANSOLANDSORASOREESPADGERSPEUGSPINKSPRUGSPUGSPUGGYSQUACCOSTANIELSTANNELSTANYELTAHATAHOUTAKAHETAUHOUTEWITTINAMOUTODYTOWHEETROGONTROGONSTURACOTURACOUTURBITTWITETYSTIEUMBREURUBUVEERYVERDINVIREOWAVEYWEKAWHIDAHWHIOWILLETWITWALLWOOSELWOOSELLYAFFLEYITEYITIEYNAMBUYOWLEYYUCKERYUNXZENAIDAjabirusquaccomarabou533 TLW 125KIGHTKILLDEEKISANKOELLEIPOALINTIELOERIELORIOTLORYLOURIELOWANMADGEMARABOUMINIVETMOHUAMONALMOPOKEMURRMURREMYNAMYNAHNENENISGULORTOLANPAVONEPEGGYPERNPHOEBEPIETPOTOOPOWINPOWNPYATPYETPYOTQUEESTQUELEAQUETZALQUEZALQUISTQUOISTROCHROSELLAROTCHROUENRURURYPESCAMELSCAUPSCOTERSHAMASIRGANGSISKINSITELLASKARTSKARTHSMEATHSOLANSOLANDSORASOREESPADGERSPEUGSPINKSPRUGSPUGSPUGGYSQUACCOSTANIELSTANNELSTANYELTAHATAHOUTAKAHETAUHOUTEWITTINAMOUTODYTOWHEETROGONTROGONSTURACOTURACOUTURBITTWITETYSTIEUMBREURUBUVEERYVERDINVIREOWAVEYWEKAWHIDAHWHIOWILLETWITWALLWOOSELWOOSELLYAFFLEYITEYITIEYNAMBUYOWLEYYUCKERYUNXZENAIDAjabirusquaccomarabou5

Watch Your Language: 13. KiswahiliContinuing our series in which we take a look at some of the more exotic languages thathave contributed to the Scrabble player's lexicon. Those wishing to pursue a particularlanguage more fully might care to look at the Words page on the ABSP web site.barazain E. Africa, a public meeting-place.bomain Africa, a thorn enclosure.buibui+a piece of black cloth worn as a shawl by Muslim women on the E. Africacoast.bwana a master, sir.debe+a tin.denguea tropical fever. [Swahili dinga].djembe+a W. African drum played by beatingwith the hand.duka+in E. Africa, a shop, a store.harambeea Swahili rallying cry, 'let's organizetogether'.jamboan E. African salutation.jembe+a hoe.kanga khangaa piece of cotton cloth woundround the body as a dress.kanzu a long white garment worn by men in E.Africa.kikoia piece of cloth wound round the waist.kitengea brightly coloured cotton cloth.kwanzathe standard monetary unit of Angola.kangakanzumadafu+coconut milk.miomboan area of deciduous woodland occurring in parts of E Africa: MIOMBOS.mitumba+used clothes imported for sale in African countries.mvulea large African tree of the mulberry family.mwalimu+a teacher.mzeean old person.mzunguin E. Africa, a white person.ngoma+a type of drum.pangaan African knife, like a machete.pombean African alcoholic drink.posho+corn meal.safaria hunter's or traveller's party or caravan,esp. in E. Africa; (verb) to go on safari.serkali(in Africa) the Government; white rulers.shambain E. Africa, any plot, farm or smallholdingused for growing crops.simba+a lion.simiin Africa, a short two-edged sword or largeknife.sitatunga situtungaa species of African antelope.suffaria SAFARI.ugali+a type of stiff porridge.uhurufreedom.situtungaujamaain Tanzania, a form of village community resembling the Israeli kibbutz.The Five-Minute Anagram ChallengeBelow are four sets of anagrams, presented in ascending order of difficulty. Each anagramhas a unique solution. It is suggested that full marks in set A corresponds to an ABSP ratingof around 125; in set B to 150; in set C to 175; and in set D to 200, though of coursepeople differ in their vocabularies and anagramming skills so any such categorisation canonly be loose and intuitive. Give yourself five minutes for the chosen set. Of course, byall means try the harder sets, but don't be discouraged if the going gets tough!A. AEIOPRS CEELTTU EEHINOR EGIORTU EHILRSTAEEMRSU ACEGORTY DEEEIRVW DDEEERST AGILNOPRB. ADEIRSU EEIINST EIIORTZ ACEEHMT AEILNNYBEINRTT ACDDEES ADEHNOPR ADEFMORT ABIORSTVC. AFINNOR ADEEFLN EEIKRSY AEEINRSU AEELPRUAEEFLTX AEINORTT AAFHIRST EEGNNOSV EOOPRSTWD. AAGHINN ACEEHMR AAGINNW ACESTTY ACEIOSSUAAGNRTUY AAIMNPTU DEEMNNTU DEMNOOSS EHMNOOPRpangangomaTLW 12534635 7TLW 125

abject to throw out, cast away.able to enable.agent to act as an agent.alibi to give an alibi to: ALIBIES,ALIBIING, ALIBIED. [ALIBIS is valid asthe noun plural].alien to alienate.ambition to be ambitious of, desirestrongly.ancestor to be an ancestor to.angel to support financially: ANGELS,ANGELING, ANGELED.anvil to shape on an anvil: ANVILS,ANVILING or ANVILLING, ANVILEDor ANVILLED.apron to cover with or as with an apron.askance to turn aside.audible of a quarterback in Americanfootball, to call out a tactic or gameplan in coded form.ballad to compose or sing ballads:BALLADS, BALLADING, BALLADED.ballet to sing or compose ballads:BALLETS, BALLETING, BALLETED.bard to armour a horse.beauty to make beautiful.bench to place on or provide withbenches.berry to collect berries.bigfoot to throw one's weight around.bilge to spring a leak in the bilge.bishop to fill, or otherwise tamper with,the teeth of a horse, to make it seemyounger: BISHOPS, BISHOPING,BISHOPED.You mean to say that's a verb?There are many words that we normally think of as nouns or adjectives that can in fact beused as verbs, either by an extension of the 'normal' meaning or with a quite unrelated,often obsolete meaning. A knowledge of these can often enable you to make a surprisinghook play or -ING extension. For example, would you otherwise think to put a -D onAUDIBLE or CABBAGE, or an -S on BRISK or DARK, or extend SQUATTER or DOZEN toSQUATTERING or DOZENING? Here is a selection of such words, with a note on theirmeaning when used as verbs. Unless indicated otherwise, the normal verbal declensionapplies e.g. ABJECT gives ABJECTS, ABJECTING, ABJECTED.bliss to experience or produce ecstasy.bombast to stuff or pad with cotton woolor the like.bosom to enclose in the bosom.boy in the theatre, to play (a female part)as a boy.brisk to make or become brisk.buddy to become close friends.bushel to mend or alter e.g. men'sclothes: BUSHELS, BUSHELING orBUSHELLING, BUSHELED orBUSHELLED.buttock in wrestling, to throw by amanoeuvre using the buttocks or hip.cabbage to steal or purloin, orig. of tailorswho took small pieces of customer'scloth as a perquisite.canary to dance the canary, a livelyRenaissance dance.captive to make captive.caravan to go by caravan: CARAVANS,CARAVANING or CARAVANNING,CARAVANED or CARAVANNED.carnal to act carnally: CARNALS,CARNALLED, CARNALLING.chairman to act as a chairman:CHAIRMANS, CHAIRMANING orCHAIRMANNING, CHAIRMANED orCHAIRMANNED.chapter to reprimand, take to task.cheap to take the cheapest option.cherry to cheer.chimney to proceed up a rock fissure in acertain fashion.choir to sing in unison.claret to drink claret: CLARETS,CLARETING, CLARETED.clay to purify (e.g. sugar) with clay.clerk to act as a clerk.climate to remain in a particular place.cocktail to dock a horse's tail.contrary to oppose, contradict.coward to weaken the courage of, makeafraid.crime to charge or convict of aninfraction of regulations.cupboard to store in a cupboard.danger to endanger.dark to darken.deed to transfer (property).defence to make a defence.denizen to provide with denizens.diesel to continue running after theengine has been turned off.diploma to issue with a diploma.dirt to make dirty.disciple to make a disciple of.distaste to feel distaste for.district to divide into districts.dozen to doze.duchess to overwhelm with flattery andattention.emblem to symbolise.event to take part in a horse-riding event.expert to experience.faith to believe.famous to make famous.feeble to make feeble.flint to provide with a flint, for sparkproduction.folly to act with folly.fond to dote.fortune to determine the fortune of.fuller to groove with a type of hammer.getter to remove traces of gas from avacuum tube.goal in Rugby, to convert a try into a goal.guile to beguile.happy to make happy.hatter to trouble, annoy.haven to shelter.heir to inherit.high to ascend; to raise higher.higher to make higher.hither to come towards.hotter to vibrate, tremble.island to set or dot with or as withislands.keynote to give the keynote, to set thecentral theme of a meeting in anopening address.king to make king; to provide with a king.language to express in words.lantern to provide or light with lanterns.lawyer to work as a member of the legalprofession.lemon to flavour with lemon.lightly to slight or make light of.lobster to fish for lobsters.locust to lay waste like a locust.madam to address as madam.maid to work as a maid.malice to have ill-will against: MALICES,MALICING, MALICED or (Spenser)MALIST.marrow to be a companion to; to marry.minor to study a subject as a minor.mischief to make mischief.monster to criticise severely.moody to persuade by flattery andcajolery.moral to moralize: MORALS,MORALLING, MORALLED.nigger to exhaust by overcropping; tochar, blacken.nipper to seize two ropes together.nugget to polish footwear.nutmeg in football, to deceive (anopponent) by kicking the ball throughhis or her legs.oblique to deviate from a direct line:OBLIQUES, OBLIQUING, OBLIQUED.TLW 12536 8 37 9TLW 125

obsolete to make or consider as obsolete.onion to apply an onion to.otter to fish with an otter-board.ought to owe.oven to cook in an oven.passion to exhibit passion.patient to make patient, to compose.peace to be silent.period to put an end to.pigeon to gull or hoax.pollen to cover or fertilise with pollen.pony to pay or settle up.prince to play the prince.rhubarb to simulate conversation.rode of a woodcock, to make an eveningflight.rotund to round.ruffian to behave like a ruffian.sardine to pack tightly together.scandal to disgrace; to defame:SCANDALS, SCANDALING orSCANDALLING, SCANDALED orSCANDALLED.serene to tranquillise, clear.shire to refresh.shrike to shriek.simple to gather medicinal plants.skull to strike on the head.snide to fill or load.sodden to make or become sodden.soft to soften.spaniel to follow devotedly: SPANIELS,SPANIELLING, SPANIELLED.speech to harangue.spoke to provide with spokes.stealth to approach without beingdetected.stench to cause to stink.sticky to make sticky.straight to lay out a corpse.stranger to make a stranger.stubborn to be stubborn, persist.sundown to turn up at sundown, thusavoiding the day's work.sword to wield a sword.tablet to provide with or make into atablet: TABLETS, TABLETING orTABLETTING, TABLETED orTABLETTED.tardy to retard.thee to address as thee, e.g. to thee andthou.thick to make thick.thou to address as thou.throat to express throatily.trinket to have secret or underhanddealings with.tumult to make a tumult.turnip to plant with turnips; to feed onturnips.tyrant to act the tyrant, tyrannize.ugly to make ugly.unfair to deprive of beauty.urine to urinate.vague to be vague.venom to envenom, poison.vinegar to treat or flavour with vinegar.violent to force.vogue to perform to pop music a stylizeddance: VOGUES, VOGUING orVOGUEING, VOGUED.vowel to articulate the words in singing:VOWELS, VOWELLING, VOWELLED.wan to make or become wan: WANS,WANNING, WANNED.weekend to spend a weekend.whither to blow strongly with a roaringsound, to wuther.wild an obsolete form of WIELD.woman in the theatre, to play the part ofa woman: WOMANS, WOMANING,WOMANED.wooden to fell a person or animal.worth to be, to happen, as in woe worththe day.worthy to make worthy, to honour.wrath to make or become angry.Anagrid:1a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o23456789101112131415HORIZONTAL CLUES:VERTICAL CLUES:1. TOYRSED a. BELBIRD2. APATUNDER b. SPIRNHOOD3. LASSDIN c. CARSLEE4. CANUNISE d. DIPTERIS5. RULBREL - DENTRII e. UNRERNS - GNEVILY6. HARICOCASE f. CREDULISMO7. NESPIER - SKIIDAY g. PONSILY - ONTRISE9. PLOOTIC - SODAIZE i. FUNNYAC - MODESTI10. GRREEDIEST j. CHITILINIS11. REFOVER - AMISTAS k. DUCTELM - STATAAA12. SAYITSIS l. ARSEZEST13. LOONTAC m. RENCOYI14. ROMNIFISM n. APPENDIST15. KEYNEDS o. DICESALTLW 125 10 383911TLW 125

TLW 125Personal Profile: Harshan LamabadusuriyaThis is a series in which well-known players are encouraged to reflecton the game and reveal the secrets of their success. For this issue I ampleased to welcome a man who has long been one of our mostconsistent and redoubtable players, and who indeed has the unusualproperty of being a mononym, someone celebrated enough (at least inthe Scrabble world!) to be generally known by his forename only.Harshan, can you start by saying a little about how you got into Scrabble, and your progress todate?I started playing aged 14 when Missaka Warusawitharana (a former Sri Lankan WSCrepresentative) started a club at my school, and I was soon captivated. I moved to the UK in1996 and cut my teeth playing in the Southern Counties League, registering an initial rating of179. My 2nd rated tournament win was the 2003 UK NSC; since then, successes at the BMSC(2005), Masters(2008), and BEST(2008) followed. 17th at the 2005 event is my best WSCperformance. I value my 3rd place at the 2008 Causeway as my best tournament performanceand result to date. My current rating is 195; the highest it has been is 201. Tournament successand rating have correlated highly with the amount of time I have free to devote to Scrabble.How many rated games do you reckon to play per year?Last year it was precisely 190, which I think is a personal record.Approximately how many hours per day, on average, do you devote to the play and/or study ofthe game, and what form does your study take?0-2 hours per day, much more before a big tournament. I do nearly all my current study in theform of printed alphagrams, including the 4's and 5's. My early bonuses were learnt using the6+1 and 6+2 stems, but this has since given way to lists ordered by probability. I only useZyzzyva for definitions, but am hoping to try the Cardbox system soon. I analyse all mytournament games with Quackle; the process can be painful, but the resultant feedback ishugely useful.Can you say roughly what proportion of your study time you spend on each of the word lengthsfrom 4 to 8, and how you weight your study as regards probabilities?It varies, but currently I spend nearly all my time on 7's and 8's. 6's are barely studied at all.I try to flashcard the 4's and 5's before major tournaments. As far as probability weighting goes,I have spent a long time in the past constantly rerevising the top 7's and 8's, but more recentlyhave extended my range.Do you study bonus stems?Not any more. However, the high probability bonuses learnt in this way early in my career arerevised in this form.Do you use any mnemonic techniques, e.g. anamonics, associative phoneys, or the kind of moreelaborate techniques described in 'How To Win at Scrabble'?No, I do not use mnemonics at all. In my opinion they are not worth the trouble.What do you consider to be the main strengths and weaknesses of your game?My main weakness is definitely time management! There also remains plenty of room forimprovement in word knowledge and strategy.12 40Do you attempt to 'peak' for certain events (i.e. intensify your study)?I used to revise intensively just before tournaments, but more recently have tried to do 'littleand often' - something every day.To what extent do you find that once you have learnt words you tend to remember them and towhat extent do you find that your word knowledge suffers from 'fade' and requires constantreinforcement?Words learnt in my teens hardly need any revision. Words learnt later require constant revisionto ensure 'sharpness'.How interested are you in the meanings of the words, on a scale of 1 to 10?5. I am interested if it aids recall and helps to group words together.Would you describe your attitude towards significant extensions to the Scrabble lexicon (suchas happened with the change to OSWI and last year to Collins) as apprehension, excitement orsomething between?I am not really bothered either way.Do you feel that as far as individual tournaments go, being 'in form' plays a significant rolein Scrabble success, or that any such factor is swamped by the luck of the tiles?At large prestigious tournaments, there are usually a number of players capable of winning onthe day. Therefore an individual has to be good enough AND lucky enough to win. Unless thetournament is too short, luck alone is not sufficient.How much do you think success at Scrabble depends on a natural ability which, perhaps likemusical ability, one tends to have or not have and how much do you think it is overwhelminglya matter of application?Both application and ability are necessary for success; each on its own is insufficient. The twofactors are not unrelated: people usually engage with things they are good at.Do you feel that you yourself have pretty much got as far as you're going to in the game, ordo you feel that you have the potential to get (even) better?I feel I still have plenty of room for improvement, but then I will always need to improve justto maintain the status quo, due to the ongoing improvement in standards. I believe thatsporting standards inevitably improve with time, and I have definitely witnessed this duringmy time in Scrabble. A good example is the relative performance of the local contingent atthis year's UK Open.Do you think that you would study more and take the game more seriously if the materialrewards were greater, e.g. serious prize money in tournaments?No: in my case work is the limiting factor. But I would still like to see greater rewards!Any other reflections you would like to make on the Scrabble scene?I would like to see longer, more rigorous, better attended, better funded major UKtournaments. We suffer in this regard compared to the rest of the World, most notably the USand SE Asia.Thank you very much, Harshan, and we look forward to seeing you in action again this year.41 13TLW 125

European Open, Harrogate (34games)Friday 3 rd – Monday 6 th AprilContact Amy Byrne0131-661-3869orJohn Harrison01661-853135Havering Evergreens Over 50’s (6 games)Saturday 4 th AprilContact Cindy Hollyer01277-822050Venue St John’s Church Hall, ChurchRoad, Mountnessing, Brentwood,Essex,CM15 0RHRegistration 09:30First game 10:00 Departure 18:00Tea/Coffee available at points during the day butlunch is not provided.Entry costs: £12.50 for ABSP member£14.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock which you areprepared to lend. Cheques payable to HaveringScrabble Club and sent to Cindy Hollyer, 78Peartree Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex,CM15 0RHGlevum Matchplay (Gloucester) (8games)Friday 10th – Saturday 11 th AprilEaster Matchplay (Gloucester) ( 21games)Saturday 11 th – Monday 13 th AprilContact Ronnie Reid01256-895690Coventry Double (22 games – 20 mins)Sunday 19 th – Monday 20 th AprilContact Len Moir0151 6061112TLW 125FORTHCOMING42Aylesbury (7 games)Saturday 25 th AprilContact Janet Bonham01296-483717Venue Stoke Mandeville VillageCommunity Centre, Eskdale Park,Eskdale Road, Stoke MandevilleHP22 5UJRegistration 09:15First game 10:00 Departure 17:454 divisional tournamentTea/Coffee available 9.30 onwardsEntry costs: £12.50 for ABSP member£14.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock which you are preparedto lend . Cheques payable to Aylesbury ScrabbleClub Tournament Account, and sent to JanetBonham, 14 Earlswood Close, Aylesbury, Bucks,HP21 7PGBourne (7 games)Sunday 26 th AprilContact Betty Benton01778-425234Venue Bourne Corn Exchange, 3 AbbeyRoad, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9EFRegistration 09:15First game 10:003 divisional tournamentTea/Coffee available 9.30 onwardsEntry costs: £13.50 for ABSP member£15.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock which you are preparedto lend. Cheques payable to Bourne & DistrictScrabble Club and sent to Betty Benton, WalnutFarm, Twenty, Bourne, Lincs PE10 0BHSpring Matchplay (Newport Pagnell)(30 games)Friday 1 - Monday 4 th MayContact Amy Byrne0131-661-3869Malta (20 games)Saturday 2 nd – Monday 4 th MayContact Cecil Muscat01268 -794208Bournemouth (7 games)Sunday 10 th MayContact Ruth Marsden01202 707148Emergency number on day only07720 949 825Venue Rooper Hall, 5 Victoria Park Road,Moordown, BournemouthRegistration 09:30First game 10:10 Depart 17.30Tea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs: £13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for Non-ABSP memberCheques payable to Bournemouth ScrabbleTournament and sent to Ruth Marsden, 27 SpencerRoad, Canford Cliffs, Poole, BH13 7ETLothersdale Hotel, MorecambeFriday 15th– Monday 18 th MayContact Viv Beckmann 0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison 01661-853135NSC/NSCT Regionals\ London & SE – Southgate, London 27 JuneMidland – Peterborough20 JuneNorth – Shipley14 JuneScotland – Perth21 JuneSouth – Southampton17 MaySouth West – Bristol31 MayContact – Philip Nelkon 01628 500623email philip.nelkon&mattel.comNSC Semi-finalSaturday 12 – Sunday 13 th SeptemberNSCT FinalSaturday 26 th – Sunday 27 th SeptemberNorthwood (7 games)Saturday 16 th MayContact Sandie Simonis020 8428 3397Emergency number on day only0771 259 0585Venue St. John’s United ReformedChurch, Hallowell Road,Northwood, Middlesex HA6 1DNRegistration 09:15First game 10:00 Depart 18.30Tea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs: £16.00 for ABSP member£18.00 for Non-ABSP memberCheques payable to The London Scrabble Leagueand sent to Sandie Simonis, 90 Woodhall Gate,Pinner, Middlesex HA5 4TZEnglish Grand (Coventry) – 30 gamesFriday 22 nd – Monday 25 MayContact Len Moir0151 6061112Festival of Scrabble (Stoke)Friday 5 th - Sunday 7 th JuneContact Amy Byrne0131-661-3869Luton (7 games)Saturday 6th JuneContact Rosalind Wilson 01582 507249Venue Whitefield Junior School,Stockholm Way, Luton, LU3 3SS.Emergency no. on day only 07753 143262Registration 09:20First game 10:10 Departure 18.004 divisional tournament.Tea/Coffee and squash available at points during theday but lunch is not provided.Entry costs: £13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for non-ABSP memberCheques payable to Rosalind Wilson and sent to 22Sherborne Avenue, Luton, LU2 7BBThree Counties Hotel , Hereford (14games)Friday 26 th – Monday 29 th JuneContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336Lincoln (7 games)Saturday 27 th JuneContact Ben Wilson01522 687077Emergency number on the dayEVENTS Compiled by Steve Perry 43 TLW 125

VenueTLW 12507857 519807Memorial Hall, Newark Road, NthHykeham, LN6 9RYDivisions according to entriesRegistration 9.30First game 10.00 Departure 18.10Tea/Coffee and biscuits available before the start andbetween gamesEntry costs:£15.50 For ABSP members£17.50 for non-ABSP memberAdd 50p if not bringing a timer that you can lendCheques payable to Mr. B. J. Wilson and sent toBen Wilson, 7 Perney Crescent, North Hykeham,Lincoln, LN6 9RJCedar Court Hotel, Harrogate (14 games)Friday 3 rd – Monday 6 th JulyContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336Romford (6 games)Saturday 11 th JulyContact Cindy Hollyer01277 822050VenueKelvedon Hatch Village Hall,School Road, Kelvedon Hatch,Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0DLDivisions according to entriesRegistration 9.15First game 10.00 Departure 18.00Tea/Coffee and biscuits available before thestart and between gamesEntry costs:£12.50 For ABSP members£14.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if you are able to bring and lenda timerCheques payable to Romford ScrabbleClub c/o Cindy Hollyer, 78 Peartree Lane,Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0RHEnglish Open (Coventry) (22 games)Friday 17 th – Sunday 19 th JulyContact Len Moir0151 6061112Carrington House Hotel, Bournemouth(14 Games)Friday 17 th – Monday 20 th JulyContact Viv Beckmannor0191 274 2420John Harrison01661-854336New Malden (6 games)Saturday 18 th JulyContact Maggie Fleming020-8337-8111Emergency number on day only07955-090101VenueChrist Church Centre, Coombe Rd,New Malden, KT3 4RERegistration 09:15First game 10:00 Depart 17:454/5 divisional tournamentTea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs:£12.50 for ABSP member£14.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock which you are preparedto lend. Cheques payable to Elizabeth TerryTournament a/c and sent to Maggie Fleming, 10Manor Way, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7PHBrighton & Hove (6 games)Sunday 19 th July 2009Contact Jim Lyes01273-813006VenueThe Woodland Centre, WoodlandsAvenue, Rustington, West Sussex,BN16 3HBRegistration 09:45First game 10:15 Departure 17:253 divisional tournamentTea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs:£13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for non-ABSP memberCheques payable to Brighton & Hove Scrabble Cluband sent to Jim Lyes, 4 Delves Close, Ringmer,Lewes, BN8 5JWClifton Hotel, Southport (14 games)Friday 24 th – Monday 27 th JulyContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-85433644Nottingham Nomads (16 games)Saturday 8 th August– Sunday 9 th AugustContact Clive Spate0115-9200208West Sussex Round Robin (7 games)Sunday 16 AugustContact Peter Hall01903-775396Emergency number on day only07724-545641Venue Maltravers Club, Maltravers Rd,Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5NARegistration 9:00First game 10:00 Departure 17.45Tea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs: £13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for Non-ABSP memberCheques payable to Rustington Scrabble Club andsent to RSC, c/o Peter Hall, 34 Lawrence Ave,Rustington, West Sussex, BH16 3HXMen’s/Ladies (Yarnfield) (6 games)Friday 28 th – Saturday 29 st AugustBMSC (Yarnfield) (20 games)Saturday 29 th – Monday 31 st AugustClifton Hotel, Scarborough (14 games)Friday 4 th – Monday 7 th SeptemberContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336Havering (6 games)Saturday 5 th SeptemberContact Cindy Hollyer01277-822050VenueKelvedon Hatch Village Hall,Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood,EssexRegistration 09:15First game 10:00 Departure 18:00Tea/Coffee available at points during the day butlunch is not provided.Entry costs:£12.50 for ABSP member£14.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock which you are preparedto lendCheques payable to Havering Scrabble Club andsent to Cindy Hollyer, 78 Peartree Lane,Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0RHRoyal Beach Hotel, Southsea (14 games)Friday 18 th – Monday 21 st SeptemberContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336Norwich (6 games)Sunday 20 th SeptemberContact Carol Smith 01603 898791VenueHethersett Village Hall, Hethersett,Norwich, NorfolkRegistration 09.30First game 10:15 Departure 18.002 or 3 divisional tournament depending on entriesTea/Coffee provided (but not lunch)Entry costs:£11.00 to ABSP members£13.00 to non-ABSP playersCheques payable to Carol Smith, 31Christine Road,Spixworth, Norwich, NR10 3PHCarlisle (15 games)Friday 25 th – Sunday 27 th SeptemberContact Amy Byrne 0131-661-3869Shipley (6 games)Sunday 27 th SeptemberContact Robert Pells01274-510313Emergency no on day0798 1884537Venue The Anchorage Association, 47Westcliffe Road, Shipley, WestYorkshire, BD18 3DXRegistration 09.00First game 09:45 Departure 17.15Tea/Coffee available at points during the day butlunch is not provided.Entry costs: £13.50 for ABSP member£15.50 for non-ABSP memberDeduct 50p if bringing clock and are prepared tolend it Cheques payable to Shipley Scrabble Cluband sent to Robert Pells, 34 Kent Road, Bingley,West Yorkshire, BD16 4PF45 TLW 125

Bournemouth Round Robin (7 games)Sunday 4 th OctoberContact Ruth Marsden01202 707148Emergency number on day only07720 949 825VenueTLW 125Rooper Hall, 5 Victoria Park Road,Moordown, BournemouthRegistration 09:30First game 10:10 Departure 17.30Tea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs:£13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for Non-ABSP memberCheques payable to Bournemouth ScrabbleTournament and sent to Ruth Marsden, 27 SpencerRoad, Canford Cliffs, Poole, BH13 7ETSalisbury (7 games)Sunday 11 th October 2009Contact Bob Lynn01722 325623Emergency number on the day 07718 189630VenueWinterbourne Glebe Hall,Vicarage Lane, WinterbourneEarls, Salisbury SP4 6HADivisions/prizes 9 8-player round robins +recreational division (max 10)Registration 9.00First game 10.00 Departure 17.30Tea/coffee and biscuits available throughoutthe dayEntry costs:£14.00 For ABSP members£16.00 for all othersDeduct 50p if you are able to bring and lenda timer Cheques payable to Robert LynnScrabble a/c and sent to Bob Lynn, 4 GeorgeStreet, Salisbury, SP2 7BA46Lothersdale Hotel, MrecambeFriday 16th– Monday 19 th OctoberContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336Cheadle (15 games)Fridaay 23 rd – Sunday 25 th OctoberContact Amy Byrne 0131-661-3869Three Counties Hotel , Hereford (14games)Friday 30 th October– Monday 2 nd NovemberContact Viv Beckmannor0191 274 2420John Harrison01661-854336Luton (7 games)Saturday 7th NovemberContact Adrian Noller 01582 656234Emergency number on day only 07753 143262VenueWhitefield Junior School,Stockholm Way, Luton LU3 3SSRegistration 09:20First game 10:10 Time of departure 18.00Tea/Coffee available throughout the dayEntry costs:£13.00 for ABSP member£15.00 for Non-ABSP memberCheques payable to A. P. Noller and sent to AdrianNoller, 1 Wendover Way, Luton LU2 7LSCairn Hotel, Harrogate (14 games)Friday 20th – Monday 23 NovemberContact Viv Beckmann0191 274 2420orJohn Harrison01661-854336only after TLW had gone to print that I realised my mistake. Having thought about the issuefurther, it does seem that at the moment you could put the opponent on hold, look for anine-timer through the phoney they’ve just played, fail to see one, say ‘challenge’, writethe word down, show it to the opponent, hold it up in the air and then after 30 seconds ofwaiting for a runner to come along you spot the nine-timer and say ‘oh no, actually I’m notchallenging it after all’. Seems a bit farcical to me! Pausing the clock should be an end of it.That’s your challenge, no going back.Anyway, in the meantime please note that the rules are currently as stated in the quoteabove.StewartThe Five-Minute Anagram ChallengeEdgeways SolutionsA. SOAPIER LETTUCE HEROINE GOUTIER SLITHERMEASURE CATEGORY REVIEWED DESERTED PAROLINGB. RESIDUA SIENITE RIOTIZE MACHETE INANELYBITTERN DECADES ORPHANED FORMATED VIBRATOSC. FRANION ENDLEAF SKIEYER UNEASIER PLEURAETELEFAX TENTORIA AIRSHAFT EVENSONG TOWROPESD. ANHINGA MACHREE WANIGAN TESTACY CAESIOUSGUARANTY PUTAMINA TENENDUM ENDOSMOS NEOMORPHAnagridDESTROY U M SR C U PANDURATEI SLANDS F L AB E NU I SANCE NBURREL L N I TR I DEL A I RCOACHES PEREPS I N Y I DAK I SH T M L T PCOP I LOT D I AZOESD DEREG I STER CFOREVER STAS IMAP S Y S S I T I A E IS I I OCTANOLM I S I N F O R M A C EN G N ENSKYEDCryptogram1=D, 2=M, 3=U, 4=C, 5=Z, 6=W, 7=H,8=N, 9=F, 10=J, 11=K, 12=X, 13=L,14=T, 15=E, 16=V, 17=G, 18=S, 19=Y,20=Q, 21=B, 22=R, 23=P, 24=I, 25=O,26=A.TLW 125