McDonald, Gafoor, Carmichael share podium spots at GASP Open Scrabble

Nov 18, 2008 Sports

Abigail McDonald

Moen Gafoor

Abigail McDonald continued her rich vein of form and carted off the top prize when the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) held its open tournament at the Malteenoes Sports Club Thomas lands, Sunday last.

She compiled a total of 5 games with a positive spread of 346 to relegate Moen Gafoor (4 games and a spread of 279) to second place while the ever trying Floyd Carmichael sealed off the final podium spot with 4 games and a spread of 198.

McDonald commenced her journey to championship honours by handing Carmichael a thrashing by a spread of 62. She then eked out a win over Leon Belony by a mere spread of 16 before humiliating Maurice Munroe by a spread of 107.

Her only blemish occurred in the first game after lunch when Moen Gafoor triumphed by a spread of 55. Thereafter, she recovered to dish out a drubbing to Orlando Michael (202) and finished off with a close victory over the old veteran, Ulric Harris (16).

Gafoor, on the other hand, chalked up 4 consecutive victories over Curtis Liverpool (135), R. O. Michael (55), Orlando Michael (51) and McDonald (71) before conceding the last two games to Carmichael (19) and James Krakowsky (2).

Carmichael started the tournament on a losing note to McDonald (62) before chalking up victories over Devon Dublin (241), Leon Belony (54), Ulric Harris (12) and Moen Gafoor (19).

He started the final round as a hot favourite to occupy the key podium position but failed to get past the cunning tactics employed by Orlando Michael. He eventually dropped that game by a spread of 66.

Meanwhile, GASP has planned an open book tournament for a date to be announced. Players are also reminded to attend practice sessions, held every Thursday evening at the Malteenoes Sports Club.