Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIPS…Anybody’s crown as Belony, McDonald, Gafoor assume front runner position
Leroy Belony, Abigail McDonald, Ulric Harris and Moen Gafoor turned in top performances to assume the front runner position when the action continued in the second day’s play of the 2011 national scrabble championships at the Bank of Guyana Sports Club, Avenue of the Republic, yesterday afternoon.
Belony remained in contention for the top prize after ending the day on an overall 11 points and a positive spread of 1097, while defending champion, McDonald ended the day on an overall 10 points and a positive spread of 1236. Moen Gafoor also notched up 10 points but with a lower positive spread of 948, while Ulric Harris has muscled his way into the mix and finished day two on 9 points and a positive spread of 839.
Defending National Scrabble champion, Abigail McDonald is flanked by Leroy Belony (right) and Moen Gafoor (left) shortly after the end of the second day’s play
Despite leading the pack, Belony suffered a setback when he lost out to rookie player, Wayne Cave who proved that scrabble could be just as mercurial as cricket when, against all odds, he scored the day’s biggest upset over Belony (86).
Resuming from where he left off on the inaugural day, Belony enjoyed an impeccable morning session after defeating R O Michael (29), Kamta Ramnarine (262) and Delon Moffat (250). Up to then he had amassed 9 points and an overall spread of 1084. He was matched against William Woolford in his first post lunch game and notched up a win by a spread of 81 before the loss to Cave. He made amends after eking past McDonald by 2 points.
Ulric Harris continues to offer staunch resistance and obviously has his eye riveted on the top prize too. He started the morning session on a dismal note, losing to Grace Hercules (35) but rebounded to clinch victories over Maurice Munroe (40) and Michael Benjamin (102). He ended the pre lunch sessions with an overall 7 points and a positive spread of 435.
The old master improved his chances for a podium spot with a crushing victory over Prudence Edwards (309) in the first encounter after the lunch break and followed up with a decisive win over Keith Allicock (118) shortly before surrendering his final game to Gafoor ((23). He finished the day on 9 points and a positive spread of 839.
Despite the loss to Belony, McDonald remained in contention and enjoyed a successful pre- lunch session with victories over Maurice Munroe (231), Michael Benjamin (142) and Prudence Lewis (91). She wrapped up the morning sessions with a general positive spread of 1106 and 8 points. Keith Allicock was her first post lunch victim and she cleaned him up by a spread of 112
The second game after lunch McDonald defeated Gafoor by a spread of 20 in a game that swayed both ways before McDonald eventually prevailed. Up to that game she had notched up 10 points and a positive spread of 1236. Belony then burst her bubble.
Moen Gafoor also started the morning successfully with wins over Kamta Ramnarine (160), Dellon Moffat (31) and William Woolford (64).
He started the afternoon sessions with a decisive victory over Wayne Cave by a spread of 207 before the McDonald loss. He subsequently made amends, defeating Ulric Harris by a spread of 23 to stay in contention at 10 points and a positive spread of 948.
Delon Moffatt resumed where he had left off on day one with a victory over Keith Allicock but found the going tough after he entered the deep waters.
Subsequently, he surrendered games to Gafoor (31), Belony (250) and Colin Chichester (276). He also surrendered a game in the penultimate round to Julian Skeete before ending his day with a victory over Grant (80).
At the moment the competition is intricately poised as the players head into the final round with 7 games slated for Sunday. With the competition so tight, McDonald will have to pull off all the stops if she is to retain the accolade. An interesting and intense day of scrabble is therefore envisaged.
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