Brett Smitheram posted a perfect 8-0 record on the final day of the UK National Scrabble Championship to jump from 12th place overnight to the top of the standings to clinch the title of National Champion for the second time.
The championship-deciding final game of the tournament saw Brett pitted against Elie Dangoor. Brett won the game by just 20 points to finish with a 13-3, +1377 record, with Elie having to settle for second place, finishing with a 13-3, +764 record.
Lewis Mackay led the group of four players with 11 wins to finish 3rd followed by Paul Gallen in 4th and Dave Koenig in 5th for the place prizes. Donna Stanton rounded out the group, taking home the first ratings prize with a tournament performance rating of 186, which was 35 points above her rating which now jumps up to 157. Jack Moran took home the second ratings prize after finishing in 14th place with a 9-7, +652 record and a tournament performance rating of 170, 28 above his rating.
Alan Males (13-3, +638) took the honours in the plate division after a final round winner-takes-all match with Janet Phillips (12-4, +552). Paul Cousins (11-5, +632) completed the place prize winners. Zoe Marlowe (9-7, -204) took the ratings prize with a performance 31 points above rating.
Final standings: Championship | Plate