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EXTERNAL LINKS

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• www.scrabble.org.au
•  2010 VIC RESULTS
•  VIC RATINGS
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• WESPA

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WORD LISTS

• B.J. WINZER
• MICHAEL HORNUNG

The official website of the Australian Scrabble Players Association (Victoria) Inc.

Watch this space for the latest news and happenings in the Victorian Scrabble scene.
Left-click on a pic to see if it will enlarge, and to check on news from the past visit the archives at the left.
Your social reporter is Marj Miller. Please pass on any news to mjwm@connexus.net.au

Upcoming Events:

Matchplay Kickoff ~ 8 games ~ September 5
Travel Scrabble ~ Social ~ Ballarat ~ September 10/11/12
Australian Masters & State Challenge Trophy ~ by selection ~ September 11/12
Bentleigh ~ 6 games ~ September 26
Seniors event ~ Unrated ~ Bendigo ~ Thursday October 7
For full details of all tournaments click HERE

The Ballarat Spring Tournament ~ August 28 2010

Here is a report from Carol Johnsen who looked after the technical side of things for the day, thanks, Carol. And good wishes to Tess for a full recovery and good health, the Ballarat Club would not be the same without you at the helm.
Emergency surgery for a torn retina in Melbourne on Friday for Tournament Director Tess Robinson did not deter the Ballarat Club from still holding a lovely and successful tournament. And, true to form, late Saturday afternoon, Tess visited to assure everyone that all was well and she would recover. She had been driven home via Geelong, as she was not allowed to transverse any hills because of the stitches in her eye. As usual, the extended Robinson family did a marvellous job in running the tournament. The computer operator, Kira (Tess' granddaughter) did a splendid job with her 3-month-old son, William in tow. He was an absolute delight and there were plenty of willing arms to carry and cuddle him during the day and Jessica, another granddaughter, now is a player in the Recreation Section. With the advent of look-up being done by self-checking, Tess' teenage grandson, Stephen and friend Jake admirably helped their mother Elizabeth in the kitchen and Jenny McLeod acted as Tournament Director. Following on from her participation in the Trans-Tasman Challenge, Norma Fisher came away with 1st prize in the top section and Kashi Ross continues to surge forward with a 1st place the the mid-section. Local player Jan Bidwell was victorious in Section C in just her third tournament, congratulations to all placegetters and well done to all who took part.

The Jim Warmington Memorial Tournament ~ August 22 2010

At this tournament we honoured the memory of Jim Warmington, one of the hard-working founding fathers of Scrabble in Victoria. Jim's wife Margaret, also a stalwart of earlier scrabble times, visited in time for the AGM which took place during the afternoon. We thanked retiring committee members Naween Fernando and Barry Harridge for their contribution over several years, and welcomed my replacement as President, Carol Johnsen. Thank you to all. There were some different faces at this tournament, including Jimmy Scarff, David Eldar, Julian McKail, Robyn Corbel from Queensland and Judith Westwood, returning to play her second tournament after a five year break. Badges marking 1000 tournament games played were awarded to Jenny Brysha and Dianne Gibson, congratulations to you both.
Masters was keenly fought, with David emerging a clear winner on seven wins and with a massive margin from Julian and Andrew Fisher. David also won the High Game with a score of 634, and the High Word Award with "DRACONE" for 100 points. The board shows David's game against Andrew in which Andrew had little luck - in his own words, he was "on a hiding to nothing". Five of the bonuses were played by David - AGONIES, CAROLERS, FRUCTIVE, GOUTWEED and RETOTAL, the last three consecutively. At the end of the day David left early to pack for his next overseas sojourn, but not before donating his prizemonies to the support fund for next year's World Championship representatives.

Masters - Andrew Fisher 3rd, Julian McKail 2nd

David Eldar 562 v Andrew Fisher 345 Click to enlarge

Retiring president Marj Miller - thank you all for the flowers and for your support.

In Advanced the top placegetters were determined by margin, with Jenny Brysha, Lorraine Thomas and Kashi Ross all on five wins. The High Word Award was won by Jenny Brysha with a brilliant play of 149 for "REPRIEVE" and the High Game Award went to Dieter Jedamski for a score of 513. Dieter is delighted with his scrabble since playing regularly in Victoria, having improved his overall rating by almost 150 points over the past few months.

Adv: Lorraine Thomas 2nd, Dieter Jedamski HG, Jenny Brysha 1st & High Word, Kashi Ross 3rd

Intermediate: Josef Peeters High Game, Lorna Patching 3rd, Dorothy Barraclough 1st

Recreation: Carole Eden 2nd, Marisa Nuccitelli 3rd, Anna Palmer 1st, HG & HW

Intermediate saw an excellent performance by first placed Dorothy Barraclough on six wins, followed by Joan Lawrence and Lorna Patching. Joan won the High Word Award for "QUIETED" for 121 points, and a delighted Josef Peeters played five bonuses in the final game of the day - IODISED, ROUTINE, MEETERS, REVISING and REOILED - to win the High Game Award with a score of 578, his highest game score to date.
Recreation saw Anna Palmer come into her own, winning all seven games against some tough opposition to place first ahead of Carole Eden and Marisa Nuccitelli. Anna also scored 477 to win the High Game Award, and played "LIKENED" for 93 points to win High Word.
Thank you to everyone for your help at the tournament, especially Carol who patiently fixed all my data-entry mistakes, and who must have been relieved when I said I wasn't going to touch the laptop again for the day! Its not a good thing to be doing when you aren't well. Also thanks to everyone who assisted with setting up and putting things back to rights at the end of the day, as always your help is appreciated.
For full results of the tournament click HERE

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The Trans Tasman Challenge ~ August 14-16 2010

Every second year for many years New Zealand and Australia have met to play in this Challenge, and this time the teams came together in Christchurch to do battle. Here is a report from one of our players Norma Fisher, thanks, Norma.
Firstly, many thanks to the players who attended the Fundraiser on June 17th to help Lois and I with our travel expenses. We both enjoyed our Trans-Tasman experience and the hospitality of our fellow countrymen - but boy, those Kiwis were tough opponents! New Zealand won the stoush, 154/134. In his speech at the end of the tourney Bob Jackman said (with tongue in cheek) that it really was a moral victory for Australia - if Joanne Craig's individual prize winning game tally of 18 was added to our team's tally, we would be the winners! Joanne also won the High Game award with a score of 600, pipping Howard Warner's 599.

Lois, Norma and Kiwi/Aussie Joanne Craig.

Our younger team members, Alistair and Michael, acquitted themselves very well and finally ended up in 4th and 5th positions, both on 15 wins. Michael lead the field several times over the 3 days. Alistair won the longest word (using all 7 letters) with DEVIATORY. Paul Lister and his committee did a great job organising and running the tournament. The venue was a very elegant bar and restaurant (with inexpensive luncheon specials) and a very adequate function room for our use........our thanks to them.

And here are the Aussie team members:

Alastair Richards N.S.W.

Rod Talbot N.S.W.

Esther Perrins N.S.W.

Captain Bob Jackman N.S.W.

Karen Richards N.S.W.

Michael McKenna N.S.W.

Graeme Lock Lee N.S.W.

Richard Jeremy A.C.T.

Anne Drew Queensland

Edie Mueller W.A.

Lois Binnie Victoria

Norma Fisher Victoria

The 4th Prince Patrick Tournament ~ August 8 2010

Here is a report from Tournament Director Jenny Brysha, thanks, Jenny.
The fourth Prince Patrick tournament began with a game of musical tables, the venue not having set aside the tables previously booked and the usual room hosting a lively private function - so it was a case of grab any table you can and one game was played at the bar! Kashi Ross' brother, Mahesh, was the novice and experienced a baptism by fire. Not only did he face the pressure of playing with a clock, shorter than usual games and a fast turnaround between games, but his second game ever was against Edward Okulicz! He managed two wins in a strong field. Great job Mahesh.

Carol Mascitti plays Mahesh Ross, competing
in his first tournament

Dianne Gibson gave the big wigs a run for their money, losing to Peter Kougi by only 18 points and Edward Okulicz by only 11 points and finishing 4th overall. Well done Dianne. Elizabeth McKean, in her second tournament ever, put up a valiant fight and wasn't afraid to try new words. Keep it up Elizabeth, your tenacity and enthusiasm will get you far. Games progressed smoothly and quickly thanks to the lagged draw. There was some disappointment at dinner time due to a menu change and vege pizza no longer being available but overall a good day's Scrabble was had by all in the casual environment of the bar. Peter Kougi was the winner with 7 wins, Edward Okulicz second on five wins and Geoff Wright third also with 5 wins. Edward Okulicz got the high game with 649 and also high word with "NEOLITHS" for 140. Well done Edward and thanks for giving the tournament a national flavour.

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The 2010 Victorian Country Championship ~ August 7

This annual 6-game event attracted 38 players to Daylesford, where Clive and Jan Rutherford organise the event as part of the Daylesford Words in Winter Festival. Thank you to you both, and to Carol Johnsen for doing the technical work on the day.
There were three sections, with three new players in Recreation, as well as several who have not yet played 50 tournament games. Donna Oataway, Robin Dettmann and Jan Wansbrough filled first to third places respectively, with Robin playing "CABLERS" for 89 points and scoring 531 to win both High Word and High Game Awards.
In Intermediate Marlene Ellis placed first followed by Ruth Fewings and Roslyn McEldrew. Roslyn also won the High Game Award with 451 points, and played the High Word "LINGERERS" for 140 points, a great find.
Masters was keenly fought, with Peter Bauer victorious over Mary McMahon and Carol Johnsen. Both High Game and High Word Awards went to Carol Johnsen for playing "DYNAMITE" for 158 points and recording a brilliant game score of 601. Well played Carol, and well done everyone, and special congratulations to our new Champion, Peter.

The Annual Nunawading Tournament ~ July 25 2010

Following several cancellations due to winter ills and chills fifty-six players took part in this event, and we thank Cheryle and the Nunawading Club members for organising such a pleasant day's scrabble.
Here is Barry Harridge's internet report on the events of the day: The media are all agog with excitement. Not only do we have today the leaders debate and the final of Masterchef, but to top it all the Nunawading tournament. Naween Fernando's worm was pointing up all day, the only person to have won all 7 games. Also a remarkable second place in Masters by pintsize 9 year old Anand Bharadwaj, a Masterchef aficionado who drew remarks of admiration from Trevor Halsall when Trevor's leading margin fell like a wounded souffle with Anand's outplay of TRINDLED. And a great first tournament from an enthusiastic Elizabeth McKean who has had good coaching from the Geelong Scrabble Club members.
In Masters Naween and Anand (who recently celebrated his 10th birthday) were followed in third place by Norma Fisher, with Naween scoring 627 to take out High Game award, and playing "SQUEAKS" for 130 to win the High Word award. In Advanced Bridget Halge won 6 games to achieve victory over John Parker and Paula Messer. High Game (512) was played by Marie D'Rosario, and the High Word "WRECKING" worth 113 points was played by Doug Ristic. Intermediate saw Ellen Frajman in good form after returning from a break, with John Taylor and Joan Lawrence second and third respectively. John also received the awards for High Game (469) and High Word, playing "WINDIER" for 92 points.

Advanced - Paula Messer (3rd), Doug Ristic (HW), Bridget Halge (1st) & John Parker (2nd)

Intermediate - John Taylor (2nd, HG & HW), Ellen Frajman (1st)

Recreation - Karen Harris (3rd), Elizabeth McKean (Novice), Lina Camilleri (2nd)

Marlene Ellis from the Geelong Club placed first in Recreation, followed by Lina Camilleri from Essendon and Karen Harris from the Nunawading Club. Marlene also recorded the High Game (447) and played "SLINTER" for 92 points to win the High Game award. Notable high rating gains for the day came from Lina Camilleri +50, Anand Bharadwaj +44, and Bridget Halge +42. Congratulations to all on your good play, and thank you to everyone for supporting the event.

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World Youth Championship Fundraiser ~ July 11 2010

This was a happy day's scrabble, although it was unfortunate that one of our Youth Reps, Natasha Podesser, was unwell on the day and not able to compete. Natasha is well entrenched in Masters now, but our other youth competitor Jayden Kuhne played in Masters for the first time. Jay enjoyed the challenge of facing up to tougher competition, and at the end of the day, on behalf of Natasha and himself, thanked all who so generously supported the event. Proceeds from the tournament, the raffle and the sale of goodies raised $911 to assist Natasha and Jay and families with their travel expenses, a great effort. We thank the Podessers and Kuhnes for supplying the refreshments on the day, these were enjoyed by all.
Masters was keenly fought out, with Geoff Wright defeating Barry Harridge in the last game of the day to emerge the winner, relegating Barry to fourth place behind Harry Malcolm and Andrew Fisher. Advanced was won by a very excited Jenny Brysha who had a disastrous start to the day, losing the first game on serious time penalties after searching too long for a bonus in a particular rack late in the game! Second and third places went to Dianne Gibson and Cheryle Jerram, back in form after a bad run in her last few tournaments. Intermediate saw our very welcome import from South Australia Dieter Jedamski victorious, the only person to win all seven games for the day. Theresa Scicluna, rated highest in her section, was pleased to place second, with Gillian Renwick third. The winner in Recreation was Gianna Devcic, ahead of Marlene Ellis and Irlande Alfred. Congratulations to everyone on their efforts, and in particular to the two who achieved the highest ratings gain for the day; Dieter who picked up 64 points and Jenny, who went up 60.
Achievement badges were presented to Joyce McCombe who has played 1000 games, and to Barry Harridge for reaching the milestone of 2000 games, well done to you both.
Thanks to all for helping to support our young people, to everyone who helped out in various ways, and to all players for making it an enjoyable day's scrabble. For full results of the tournament click HERE

Barry Harridge, 2000 games, with Joyce McCombe, 1000 games

Co-organiser Kashi Ross, with Geoff Wright, Masters first place

Dianne Gibson & Jenny Brysha, second and first respectively in Advanced

Theresa Scicluna, second Inter, Dieter Jedamski first Inter, with Lorraine Thomas Advanced

Gianna Devcic, first Recreation, with good friend and Essendon clubmate Lina Camilleri

Geelong Club members Dorothy Barraclough, Joyce McCombe & Anne Menheere

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Support for our Trans Tasman Players ~ June 27 2010

Forty-eight players competed in this 8-game open tournament, which ran smoothly with Lalitha Sundaresan manning the laptop and many people helping with setting up and tidying up at the end of the day. Thank you all. The aim of the event was to raise funds to assist our two representatives - Norma Fisher and Lois Binnie - with travel expenses when they fly to Christchurch in August with ten Aussies from the other states to compete against New Zealand in the Trans Tasman Challenge. Interestingly both our reps are of New Zealand origin, but Lois assured us in her thank you speech that she and Norma will do their utmost to beat their former compatriots. Norma sent apologies for her absence as she is OS at the moment.
Kashi Ross organised a raffle, and we thank Angie Pearse and Kashi's dad John for donating the prizes. The combined proceeds from the tournament and the raffle amounted to $628.50, and Lois and Norma wish to thank everyone for their very generous support. We welcomed Karen and Alastair Richards from NSW, and Dawn Browning who returned after a break from tournament play. Alastair had a wonderful day, overcoming all challenges to record 8 wins, pick up 27 rating points, and place first in the event. Ratings band prizes were awarded to Sujeet Mehta for best performed player rated 1100-1400, and Joyce McCombe for best performed under 1100. Congratulations to you all, and to Dianne Gibson for recording High Game (527), and Carol Johnsen for High Word "TWENTIES" which scored 140 points. Notable rating gains for the day were recorded by Michael Rubinstein 50, Bridget Halge 46, Sujeet Mehta 44, Gillian Renwick 43 and Marjorie Clark 40. Good luck to Lois and Norma in New Zealand, it should be a fun experience!

The overall winner, Alastair Richards from NSW

Best performed player rated 1100 - 1400, Sujeet Mehta

Marlene Ellis & Mary McMahon with best player rated below 1100, Joyce McCombe

The 2010 Brand's King's Cup, Thailand ~ June 18/19/20

Following an interesting lead up to the final, during which time Nigel Richards (New Zealand) worked his way up through the field to challenge David Eldar (Australia) for a position in the final, David faced last year's World Champion and holder of the Kings Cup, Pakorn Nemitrmansuk (Thailand). Pakorn played extremely well, collecting all four blanks, and playing a nine-timer through an "S" to emerge victorious after just two games of the three game final. Congratulations to Pakorn, once again a worthy winner.
Other Aussies in the field were Chris May 9th, Dianne Ward 18th, Bob Jackman 25th, Karen Richards 33rd, Matte Dunn 41st, Olga Visser 48th, John Barker 53rd, and Kay Anderson 56th. I'm sure you all enjoyed your tournament experience, and well done to David on almost bringing home the Cup.

The 2010 Victorian Championship & Queen's Birthday Tournament - June 12/13/14

The Championship ran smoothly over three days, with a few changes to the list of contestants as the event progressed, and we thank Carol Johnsen, Dorothy Barraclough and Rena Aitken for acting as our standby players over the weekend, both at the Championship and the Queen's Birthday tournament on Monday. Ray Alford was presented with his badge marking 1000 tournament games played, and commented that it has taken him 21 years to achieve this milestone. Well done, Ray. We welcomed our many interstate visitors, and after 24 games we congratulated Edward Okulicz who emerged as the 2010 Champion, with the outcome dependent on the results of the final round. Edward won his last game to keep Naween Fernando in second place, followed by Joanne Craig, Geoff Wright and Harry Malcolm. The High Game award went to Edward for a score of 634, and High Word was played by Carol Johnsen; "CONTRIVE" for 176 points.
Division A of the Queen's Birthday was won by the inimitable Rod Casey, who mentioned that he has now won the top division of the Queen's Birthday Tournament for three of the last four years. Division B saw Marie D'Rosario victorious, and Division C was won by Glen Chandler, who was also awarded the 2009-2010 Most Improved Player plaque, together with a portrait painted by Katie Rowe. Well done, Glen, a good effort to gain 418 ratings points in 12 months.
For full results of the Championship click HERE, and for full results of the Queen's Birthday Tournament click HERE
Many thanks to all who assisted over the weekend in so many ways, your help was appreciated by all, especially me!

Harry Malcolm 5, Joanne Craig 3, Edward Okulicz 1, Naween Fernando 2, Geoff Wright 4

Katie Rowe with Glen Chandler, Victoria's Most Improved Player 2009/10, & Marj Miller

Post game analysis - Dianne Gibson, Dorothy Barraclough, Marisa Nuccitelli, Colleen Walker

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