Our roving reporter, Rex Shakespeare, will be collecting stories of great plays, comebacks, agonising defeats and shameful gloating throughout the event, updated regularly.

Round 1

The top 20 players in Australia, and 21 representatives from all states and the ACT assembled in the Victorian seaside suburb of Brighton, for the inaugural Australian Masters and State Challenge. The day started promptly at 0845 after addresses by Andrew Fisher to welcome all participants and by Wilma to lay down the rules, including clarification of challenge penalties and the "hold" rule, being used here in line with international competitions. The room was set up much like a wide bodied airplane or train carriage with two lines of five tables on either wall, all tables having revolving boards. First game to finish in Masters was Julian M 284 losing to Michael C 513, with Julian describing the game as "ugly&quot. Andrew F 421 started with an unexpected loss to Richard J 487, despite having played QUILLETS for 104 from a Q instead of TUILLES elsewhere. David 415 defeated Joan R 299 aided by playing ATAmASCO through A, at which time Joan had seven consonants on her rack. Other Masters results :

Alistair 380 Anne 342
Trevor   500 Rod 345
Michael 424  Paul 422
Russell H 402 Chris 364
Joanne 445 Bob 430
Edward 354 Esther 351
Naween 391 Sal 379

State Challenge standings after Game 1 are :

WA  3
SA  2
ACT 2
QLD 1
VIC 1
NSW 0

One notable game saw Olga 449 (ROADEOS, HEARTING and UNMINDED) losing to David Lowden 537 (DECISIVE, ARMOURS, COUPLES and BIGOTTED) Susan McGillivray played ACAJOUS which caused momentary confusion with the runner / lookup as the challenge originally came back unallowed…… It had been entered as ACA and JOUS.

Round 2

Game 2 saw David Eldar matched against Michael Cameron, both good winners from Round 1. David recorded his second win 525/366 after opening with POXIESt and PARTIBLE in successive plays. Other results:

Edward 421      Russell 358
Andrew 421      Esther 369
Paul 518        Joan 314
Michael H 422       Chris 364
Joanne 511      Sal 342
Julian 347      Anne 329
Alistair 503        Rod 395
Naween 403      Richard 397
Bob 504     Trevor 450

In the State Challenge, Harry Malcolm played HAKAM 51 during his 371/342 win over Marie London. He had only learnt this word very recently on ISC, chatting to a player called "HAKAM". Although he was happy to recall this word, he felt less happy to have missed ISOTONE early in the game.

Round 3

Game 3 has passed with some highlights being reported, including Sal enthusiastically slamming his result sheet in the basket after recording his first win... He needs at least six for the weekend. Sal 365 Richard 338 Chris May now holds High Word 106 for REGOLITH 106 played during his 413/322 win over Joan Rosenthal. REGOLITH was slotted in very cleverly to the right of YEASTIER, making YO, EL, AI, ST and a word ending in TH. David Eldar 306 had his first loss for the day against Anne Drew 524 (OARIEST, RAVENERS and DECLINER) helped along by BEWIGS 46, OXIDE 52 and QAT 44. Andrew 434 defeated Russell 389, but would have recorded a larger win if Russell had obliged by playing an UM giving Andrew VOLUMISED, Russell played MU. Other results: Michael C 450 Paul C 435 Michael H 460 Edward 365 Trevor 540 Joanne 364 Julian 362 Rod 352 Alistair 406 Bob 348 Naween 504 Esther 391

State Challenge:

Marie London holding ABEHKOS found BACKHOES through a C The only other highlight to report is that Olga's repartee includes paraphrasing a very old Snow White story into a rendition of "When will my blanks appear?". She hasn't managed to draw one in the first three games ...

Challenged words

Here are the words that have been challenged so far.

KUES TRUNDLER UNOBTAINED HEARTING INDARTA JUREL INDATRA ARMOURS KINA ONDATRA OWNALE OWNABLE ACA JOUS ACAJOUS INTILS INTILS DUMA FANGA FADIEST ORNATER UNMINDED SOUGH OVOID ATAMASCO DEBUNKS BIDER GLISTED AERIALLY PERI SLINTER TALLIERS RESOW RESOWING COMTE EINE THINE BLONDS IFFS INNERLY BOUCE BOULE DENE MNAS GITE GRAT ABACI RISP PIRN RINGS PISCENE KIPE ROILERS LUNARETS SINKIER BEAUTIES GNAWERS GOAEY GOARY VOGEL REALLOT RETOTAL TOTALER ALLOTER GIVENS MUT OTTO DEEDY OUTHITS OVOLI MEDLY MEDLEY THENAGE NEEM BRAWNT BRAWNY SLYPE NIFF RUNICS PEEKABOS PLOVERS SLYPES WAISTER GADE REANGUE RENAGUE GID YEANING HAKAM DIAMYO DAIMYO BHEL GROOF SONDELI DEFI SKITTERY TARDIEST YRENT ARIETTES TOOTERS FANE GUESTEN AMUS URODELE OUTSHINE EDICT TORCHINGS FRIZE TEDY BOZO DATTO GROOFS VIAND REGOLITH JUDGER BYS WESTERS RERISEN MAINOUR STEENED YOUNGERS OUTWEAR HOOKY BACKHOES PUTTABLE DIALOGS WIVERNS MARLS TEXTUAL WHITEY OBELIAS AMENDE URDY RESHINES PHOROUS SALFERNS GYM SPAITHER SPAITHES BIVIA SALFERNS SPINK MIDTONE EXITERS EXITTER REEXIT EXISTER REEXIST EYER TOOTLER URVAS AGOUTIE OCTADIC MAINOURS SQUAB GROTTIED FERLITE ENERGATE ENERVATE STOPMEN POSTMEN MUT GLED BANGLED TUGGERS SPOTMEN LEIN ACTINAE ACTINIA HODADA HODAD SWON ANIS DATURATE PAENULAE TIBIAE BLATTER FLEDGER DJEBEL HILLERS PUY HILLERS PUYS BEFAT TEGG ANALCIME KAYO BOMBIEST VEALE

Round 4

Special mention should be made at this time of the very efficient and enthusiastic runner we have had this morning, Mr. Geoff Wright. He has performed so well that a number of players have suggested that he should hold the position permanently. Edward successfully challenged BEFAT played by Joan Rosenthal during his 399 / 385 win. A challenge five years in the making... Joan played the same word against Edward in the 2000 Sydney Masters and he failed to challenge, going on to lose that game. In Michael Cameron's 403 loss to Chris May 415 he played RELEGATION hooking RELEGAT onto ION. Chris later extended this to RELEGATIONS with QIS. Andrew 528 (ANALCIME and YaUPONs) defeated Michael H 35).

Other results:

Paul 448 Anne 363
Alistair 359 Joanne 340
Trevor 440 Sal 386
Naween 445 Russell 363
David 434 Rod 429
Bob 424 Julian 396
Richard 434 Esther 396

Round 5

Lunch has been taken, and was certainly better than some of the usual NSW tournament fare, another rap for Andrew, Naween, Marj, Norma, Carol and all the organisers. Nicole Findlay, still recovering from her recent surgery has joined us as a supplementary runner, her first Scrabble appearance for quite some time. Warning: This posting from Game 5 contains words which should only be viewed by adults……. After 5 games the top three are Trevor, Andrew and Naween. Michael Cameron played SLUTTIER against Ed Okulicz. Not to be outdone in the politically incorrect stakes,Ed promptly replied with WANKER and went on to win. Anne continued her strong form with a 508/293 win over Chris with bingos of TRIOSES, OPENEST, CORTILE and ENDARTS.

Rod 425 Paul 381
Richard 474 Russell 333
Joanne 455 Julian 355
Bob 481 David 337
Trevor 511 Alistair 401
Andrew 497 Joan 298
Esther 476 Sal 349
Michael H 338 Naween 291

Richard Jeremy could well be specializing in animal words today. In the first four games he has played KIWI, HOG, BEASTIE, VAMPIRES, TUNA, GARIAL, KOALA and KRAIT.

Round 6

A quick scan of the room during game 6 shows that only one player is wearing headgear. Not a crash helmet, not a piece of religious symbolism which may raise the ire of certain politicians, but a Sydney SWANS cap. Bob Jackman is proudly wearing the cap after the SWANS victory over St Kilda in last night's Preliminary Final at the MCG. We'll see if the cap can help him replicate their victory. In Game 6, Anne Drew 492 turned the tables from the QLD State Championships by beating Edward Okulicz 353. This game finished at about the same time as some Game 5's were finishing, a result of a quick lunch, Wilma's strict tournament control and Edward's speed of play. In the game between Chris May 355 and Rod Talbot 379, Chris played PANCAKING 54 after having opened with CAKING and later having a separated A to play through. I am sure that he would have gladly swapped the play for the win. Sal 454 gets his second win over Alistair 428... Can Sal get to 6+ ????

Paul 543 Bob 289 (so much for the cap)
David 507 Joanne 376
Michael C 386 Andrew 375
Russell 472 Esther 386
Trevor 413 Julian 381
Naween 448 Joan 333
Richard 422 Michael H 311

In the State Challenge, WA continue to lead the way, but I am sure that NSW is the team to watch in the later rounds of the day. John Barker seems to be handicapped by not being allowed to keep his orange juice at the table during play. Harry had an example for all of us that whinge (does that happen?) about too many vowels... "I get all the bad luck", "I don't know why I bother" etc etc.... Holding AAA he found ADAMANCE, and with EEE he found SLOETREE both in the same game.

Round 7

In Game 7 between Julian McKail 515 and Alistair Kane 397, Julian played DAYDREAM through an A for 110, and later added a T for DAYDREAMT. Later on in the game he racks of AAAEEEEE and AADEEII but was clear enough to hold for the win. Sal wins again with 363 over Russell 337. Three wins so far... My money's on Sal for a late run. The last game to finish was a tussle between Trevor 430 and David 420 (CHEESIEST and MEALTIME) And Anne Drew carries on her giant-killing with a 457 / 396 win over Andrew Fisher. She has Naween next...

Bob 443 Chris 394 (the cap may have kicked in)
Edward 501 Rod 315
Paul 440 Joanne 395
Esther 353 Michael H 337
Joan 398 Richard 378
Naween 504 Michael C 391

Round 8

Joan Rosenthal played five consecutive bingos in her Game 8, but unfortunately the third in the sequence was a nonword. ORGIAST, GROUPED, ENTERATA*,TANAGERS and AMITOSES. This led to her to a 473 / 323 win over Esther. Michael Cameron 463 nudged High Word against Richard Jeremy with SOFTWARE for 101. David opened with NANDOOS and later played SYLVINE for 103. Naween 409 beat Anne Drew 390, but only after a scare after she played SONGMAN and then drew ADEEPL? , but the obvious words were unplayable and Anne had misgivings about SEPALLED.

Other games:

Bob 527 Edward 434
Julian 563 Sal 310
Joanne 465 Chris 362
Andrew 504 Rod 456
Michael H 460 Russell 366
David 531 Alistair 340

Continuing with the Victorian domination, the top three after 8 games are Trevor, Naween and Andrew. The State Challenge is getting tighter with WA, VIC and SA all on 14 wins, with NSW snapping at their heels on 13. A new High Word in the division has been posted by Anne Michell (SA) with SQUIRED 131

Round 9

Highlight of Game 9 is another win for Sal, 474 / 382 over Michael Hornung, taking him to 4 for the tournament. Paul Cleary played PADEREROS through floating D and R for 79 in his 440 / 324 win over Alistair Kane. Anne Drew parallel played READOUT on top of EERIEST for 92, making six two letter words. Other results:

Andrew 412 Bob 395
Russell 427 Joan 384
Edward 401 Joanne 374
Ann 476 Richard 381
Rod 441 Naween 360
Trevor 356 Chris 525
Michael C 461 Esther 431
David 382 Julian 323

The Victorians are still dominating with the top four being Trevor, Naween, Andrew and David. In State Challenge, two words of note. CORELATION played by Sheryl Davidson against John Spaan had the checkers looking for the books. Edie Mueller played NARQUOIS for 128, through an I, contributing to a 157 point win against Anne Michell. WA and SA are leading on 16 wins, with Tony Hunt (NSW) leading as an individual with 7/9. Tony also has the new High Word for the division with 176 for SYSTEMED.

Round 10

Penultimate Game 10: The game before the game before dinner... Reports have slowed down as the day wears on... Joanne Craig found a nine-timer with dIACOnAL in her 514 / 350 win over Andrew Fisher. The game also saw Andrew play the easily typed QWERTY and its plural QWERTYS.

Other results:

Naween 445 Bob 360
Joan 435 Michael H 424
Edward 494 Trevor 240
Russell 443 Michael C 359
David 507 Sal 330
Alistair 436 Chris 384
Richard 428 Rod 366
Julian 382 Paul 376

The top three has changed now to be Naween, David then Edward breaking up the Victorian line.

Round 11

The last of 11 for the day, with 8 games tomorrow. A long day for all the players, especially when you consider the quality of the field in both divisions. very few disputes during the day, only a small hiccup with David Eldar and Julian McKail signing an incorrect sheet with their scores transposed. Julian agreed without hesitation to correct the recorded result.

Anne Drew 428 prevailed over Russell Honeybun 423 even after not challenging TWEENED* because she wanted to play POSTURES through one of the Es. Only later did she realise that SPROUTS was a word in its own right........

Richard Jeremy continued his strong run with a 485 / 382 win over Bob Jackman playing the nine timer of STALLION through an L, and going out with SDAINES.

Results:

Joanne 408 Naween 404
Chris 421 Julian 394
Edward 406 Alistair 375
Michael H 401 Michael C 392
Joan 392 Sal 372
Andrew 472 Trevor 373
Esther 455 Rod 360
David 430 Paul 390

State Challenge:

In his 446 / 398 win over Jean McGiffen, David Lowden was sure that he would score HIGH Word for DESOLATE 131. Needless to say he was DESOLATE when Wilma gave him the bad news that he was 45 points shy of the mark set by Tony Hunt 176 SYSTEMED

Dianne Brumby was very happy to find MIDTOWNS against Helen Maurus but still had a narrow loss 392/443.

Top individuals at Game 11:
Sally Martin 9
David Lowden 8
Edie Mueller 8
Tony Hunt 8
Helen Maurus 7

A further list of challenged words.
DEARY TITRATES JIMPI JIMPS ORAD FAIK AGORA AGORAE GOS ORAD CLEF ENGILDS TRANTERS YAUPONS WAURS WHIRRS WHIRRE DIVO QUANTING QUANTING IRES ATES SIM DIVI TRENISE CORDLINE FEHS ECAD (WINER RAGEE) JIVY UNLAWS SAM GIRO BEGLOWED VILDS KAMI BODGE PUIRIM WANKER FOVEALS BOOTHING AMOVE STANNELS (FOYS SARTORI) CECA ZIFDA CURATING TROJAN THINLIER UNROTTED UNROTTED FEATOUS LOTI THIRLING EUREKAS (ERGATES SAWL) MOGGIES REDDING DIAPERED IDOLISER FIBER VEERIEST ALFAJ AFLAJ TORA OUTRAVE (LARRIES SOR LOR) NUBILES IDEATION TAINTURE LEWS INUSTION ARGTEMONE FLOWAGE ARGEMONE LENGS KOBO JETED AGER DANS UNCTION (RESTATER AGERS) FOXER SALLIED FRAGS IDOLIST REDDINGS RUBIEST CHAWS BENNY LEVO STICKLER ABLEIST HEFTS ALLICES PUERE REGRATES MERC OTTAVAS EQUANTS SIZIER ADAMANCE OUTHIKE PANCAKING EXINE GROUPLET COBIAS ENSTATES TAEL STEELER SOILIEST DOGGRELS SCURRIER RECODED ELT VIRAGE VITRAGE SLOETREE FINER KOAN ARICH BOORT HAUDS LISH ANAS DOGLIKE TIM TEGULAS OUTATE DOOLIE BOS ELAT TISANES AMMOS REGRANTS (MUNITIES PUNITIES TOFTS) GATELESS LOCA ZINGARES (PATROLED GROUPLET) UNMASTED RECASING ARDEB PON OUTEDGE OUTSWORE MANNITE CLIFT DAYDREAMT MEALTIME RHIOLITE UNFALTER PATEN FAPPEST MEALTIMES STRIGAE BOAKS EXPANSE UNLEAF PUKIEST DONATERS HATTIES BOHIA CTENOIDS SEL OOHING SCORNERY OYS SAGENESS JEFES SLUNK SAGENES MOLS FANNER HUIAS MANNITES TRASHMAN SHOVER FONG OBEAHS SMEATH ADMIN (CSAR HIZENS) (GIFS SLOE) PILOW DISUNION LONGERS STEANED TAK FINERS FIDOS DETANGLE VIRIDS QUANT EUGH FRAISES DUROCS OLEATE ANOMIES PALLIUMS COIT ENOLASE POOF GHAUT BADDY ENROLER SPOOF IDS (CODGED UPBYE) WAP TEADING PENARCHY GIANTED QUINTAS OHOS ENTERATA (GORER BRIN) RESTYLES DOWTING AMITOSES ILLY ORAD BORS LUBE GEEP CLONER UNHEARING NURHAGI ETESIANS WINKLE GIANTED ABRIM HILLOA FORKNOSE TINAMOUS REFACED SIENITE JUPE SPIRTERS DISTYLE SOUT STRIPERS PONEY CHIVY WINEMEN DRECKING REVOICES GOOBER DELATION DAUD DOTIEST PAINCH BRANDER FREUDIAN MONETIZE ALENCON STURNOID CORELATION RESIDUAS SYSTEMED RHO WOWED LULUS VAURIEN IDEM MUT RHOS WAGGLES NARQUOIS GLIA ERICA LOURIEST SOLVATES RETILINGS PADEREROS BONS IODATION RNOL ENOL YOK SEINING ZINKY FACIAL FACIALS JOISTED COOEES STRENES SCRIPS HETE SBIRRI HINS INSNARED SEME THEEING DECIARES WILGA HOVEA REDOUBLE APER OOTS ZOUND BOATLET SEMOLINA UNITAGE GURNEY ENDARNS JONES GEEKY RIVALISE WANZE HERLING ADVENED HEPS VINAS BUNCE HWAN ALENGTH REGOT GIGOLOES PORTALE FUBBY COURTIER DEADIEST FEGS FAYS PATROLCAR GLOSSED GLOWERS SALERING GIZ OUTENER POUNDER ROPELESS CLEANINGS RETEARED CENTRALE LARS OLEADES NOVELISE OVERSLOW HOARILY MIDTOWNS POLT GIRDLER AIZLE INSUROR (HEAPERS TODS) SPOUTER GALOOTS STONYING PUBS QUAFFS TURGIDLY TUBAIST TAWED FLUTIST APELLANT VAPOURS SCAW TRUMPETIST GETA TODS PLOIDIES SONTIES SDAINES YEWEN WONGIS RESTAYING GAMED ODDESTS ANITECIDES SODDIEST

Round 12

Morning Day 2:

The Gala dinner at the venue, The Brighton Savoy, was attended by nearly all the players. In keeping with the quality of the facilities so far, the dinner was quite excellent. Three courses, punctuated by entertainment provided by Richard Jeremy mceeing* a seemingly endless list of anagrams and word puzzles. Great fun and a welcome change from drink coasters and paper napkins flying around the tables. He didn't need to use any of the 15 of 21 letter words from the quiz questions in his 495 (ACTINIAE WINNERS SHUDDERS) / 302 win over Joanne Craig. Other results:

Edward 513 Julian 407
Alistair 438 Andrew 413
Michael H 480 Anne 363
Paul 390 Sal 302
David 450 Chris 398
Russell 383 Rod 353
Michael C 453 Joan 431
Esther 402 Bob 394
Naween 411 Trevor 277

Top four are now:
David 9
Naween 9
Edward 9
Richard 7

State Challenge:

David Lowden has fallen ill during the night, so his place in the Challenge has been taken in the draw by Geoff Wright until David is well enough to play. Jean McGiffen started strongly after a difficult first day with a 469 / 381 win over Ann Michell including SPLINTER for 140 WA is still leading the way with Sally Martin on top of the individual win table.

Round 13

This will be my last report as I have to get to the airport for an afternoon flight, Barry Harridge will take over from here so the editorial quality will no doubt improve. The tournament thus far has been enjoyed and praised by all competitors from all points of view. Great organisation, wonderful venue and strong competition in both divisions, a great addition to the National tournament calendar. Edward 522 (which included RACEgOER) scored what may prove be a decisive win over David 361. The other joint leader after Game 12, Naween, lost to Alistair 341 / 466 so Edward is now out in front on 10 games with Naween and David on 9.

Other results:

Anne 452 Joan 321
Chris 432 Paul 389
Joanne 463 Esther 376
Michael C 509 Sal 256
Julian 484 Andrew 411
Michael 435 Rod 312
Russell 407 Bob 376
Trevor 419 Richard 358

State Challenge: WA still leading on 25 wins followed by NSW and SA on 22 and VIC on 20.

Round 14

The Bard of Woollongong has strutted off the stage, so Barry Harridge now takes over as court reporter.

The games in the Masters section are now getting to be intense. The draw culminates in these last games with highly rated players pitted against each other. David Eldar, matched against Andrew Fisher had a double whammy blow to the solar plexus when Andrew played EPIGRAPH for 100 followed immediately by SWIZZLER for 142 (a new high word score). "There was nothing I could do to win" said David, although he was at least pleased to get ODONATE out. Andrew 548, David 393.

Michael Hornung got five bingos against Bob Jackman. MINNIES 74, GRACIOUS 72, GRADINI 73, ISLANDER 72, and then, kicking the underdog, metaphorically at least, used VIOLENCE 78 against the hapless Bob. The game concluded Michael 549, Bob 320.

The leader, Ed Okulicz was defeated by Paul Cleary. Paul played LEKVARS (prune butters - an acquired taste no doubt) and Ed played GOTHITE (an iron ore).

Another upset victory was Julian McKail 490 defeating Naween Fernando 425. Naween got SUFFRAGE cleverly fitted in for 101. Julian replied immediately with WOOMERAS for 98.

Some interesting results:

Joan   413 Rod       397
Chris  419 Anne Drew 354
Chris  498 Sal       290
Trevor 375 Esther    347

State Challenge

Neck and neck now, with NSW, WA and SA each on 25 wins. Each state has had 2 byes, so results are comparable.

Round 15

The last round before lunch. First game to finish was yet another upset. Leader Edward Okulicz was defeated by Chris May. "Chris opened with VAHINES, and I didn't get hot" said Edward. He did Chris a great favour when drawing a tile from Chris's overdrawn rack. He picked a Q to put back in the bag, allowing Chris to bingo. Some other countries have an n+1 rule, which would have been interesting here (Ed would have chosen 2 tiles and chosen which one he preferred to throw back).

David Eldar romped in against Naween (541 to 307). David attributed his win to "shit hot tiles". He got ILLITES, ASCENDS, CONDOLED and ONEIRIC.

A tense finish in the game between Paul Cleary and Andrew Fisher, with 6 seconds left on each clock. Paul was stuck with the Q, allowing Andrew to eke out a total of 70 points from his last rack, and of course Paul's Q effectively gave Andrew 20 more points. Despite all this, Andrew lost (398 to 418). "A good game. We both enjoyed it very much." said Andrew.

Michael Hornung was especially pleased to play LATEWOOD (part of a tree's annual growth ring). Michael now takes over as leader. Khen Meerding is quick to point out that Michael came from Tasmania. The top four (Michael, David, Ed, Trevor) are now each on 10 wins, with Trevor actually on a spread of -4.

State Challenge

Sally Martin is wowing everyone with her success. She very early surpassed her expected wins of 7.6 games. Visiting WA Scrabbler Kate was able to congratulate her. Kate said that although Sally has only been playing in tournaments for three years, she had really set her mind to studying word lists, especially so for this event. However, this round, Sally loses her number one spot to John Barker from NSW. Very interesting!

Tony Hunt ruefully told me how his opponent got three blanks, because when he threw back a blank from her overdrawn rack, she got it again, despite much bag-shuffling by Tony.

Jean McGiffen has offended her billeting host Norma Fisher by defeating her by one point. Thrown out on the streets, Jean is now seeking alternative accommodation.

Round 16

New leader. Edward's big blowout game against Sal Costanzo (561 to 283) gives Edward a big boost in spread. However he has some tough games coming up against Andrew and Naween.

The previous leader, Michael Hornung lost badly to Trevor Halsall, 521 to 371. I had to ask what the blank was on ANEURYS?

Edward, David and Trevor on 11 wins. The two Michaels on 10 wins.

Chris suffered at the hands of Andrew Fisher (454 to 331). In Chris's last pickup he collected HKZ to go with his DT.

Lovely word MONTICLE played by Trevor. And a new high-scoring word, PTILOSIS was played by Russell Honeybun.

State Challenge

Olga is getting very musical. She played KLAVIErS on her first move, and for an encore she played PIANO later.

New leader in the State Challenge, too. Helen Maurus ahead on spread of Carmel Dodd.

Rank State              Wins Losses Byes Spread
1 New South Wales           28 18 2 +1512
2 Western Australia         27 18 3 +1238
3 South Australia           27 19 2 +185
4 Victoria                  24 22 2 -202
5 Queensland                20 25 3 -461
6 Australian Capital Terr   18 28 2 -310
7 Tasmania                  16 30 2 -1962

Round 17

The antepenultimate round (just love any excuse to use that word) -- it means "third last" in case you didn't know..

More upsets, and a new leader, Trevor Halsall one game ahead of the pack. Edward lost to Andrew (Andrew had the good tiles) and David lost to Esther -- David was kicking himself that he played too quickly and neglected to challenge Esther's DELUTE.

                        Wins Spread Average for/against
1 Trevor Halsall           12 +329 418.71  399.35
2 Edward Okulicz           11 +642 432.76  395.00
3 David Eldar              11 +516 435.82  405.47
4 Andrew Fisher            10 +588 441.53  406.94
5 Michael Hornung          10 +243 411.65  397.35
6 Michael Cameron          10 +219 422.71  409.82
7 Naween Fernando          10  +64 400.59  396.82

State Challenge

The game with Harry and Glenys was almost over. Harry was 121 points ahead, but had not tile-tracked. Glenys played out with QUOTERS for 131, thus winning 404 to 387.

Marie London received a herogram from her husband. Today is their 40th wedding anniversary.

South Australia now takes the lead. Honorary South Australian, Geoff Wright playing in lieu of the ill David Lowden, is not shirking his role.

Latest standings:

Rank State             Wins Losses Byes Spread
1 South Australia          30 19 2  +429
2 New South Wales          29 20 2 +1459
3 Western Australia        29 19 3 +1193
4 Victoria                 25 24 2  -193
5 Queensland               22 26 3  -429
6 Australian Capital T     19 30 2  -217
7 Tasmania                 16 32 3 -2242

Round 18

The penultimate round. Leaders are changing more rapidly than in the Labor Party. Trevor lost to Michael Cameron in a tense, drawn-out game. Trevor had 15 seconds on his clock. Later Naween pointed out that Trevor had missed QUINIELA (he had thought of AQUILINE). After rechecking scores it was 370 Michael C, 343 Trevor. David Eldar is again the leader. His opponent Russell Honeybun was surprised to see David challenge SALTATED. "You've taught me a new word" said David.

Round 19 (FINAL ROUND!)

I took up a challenge slip with HERNIATES and AVENTAILES on it (both are correct). It was brilliantly fitted onto the board by Michael Cameron in his game against Alistair Kane. He wrapped HERNIATES around TE and hooked VENTAILES as AVENTAILES for 88, making QIS, TO as well, a superb find.

Edward wants to report that he did his usual trick of losing the last three games. In fairness it should be pointed out that he had three tough opponents.

David Eldar looked as though he was going to win against Michael Hornung, but Michael played very well and overtook David. David regretted that he chickened out of playing BELEAPED for 174. He calculated that this hesitation had cost him $550.

With Trevor Halsall's win against Anne Drew, he beleaped David to take first place.

Trevor Halsall was beaming with pride and delight as he accepted first prize from Rachel Lewis (Mattel's representative). He was enthusiastically grateful to Andrew Fisher and Naween Fernando in their implementing this great competition. He also expressed gratitude to the many other people who had helped this event come to fruition.

David Eldar, pictured here with Rachel Lewis from Mattel, was also extremely happy to have done so well. It augurs well for his chances of doing well at the World Scrabble Championships in London in November. The other Australian representatives, Naween Fernando, Andrew Fisher and Paul Cleary also enjoyed this competition, and are very grateful to Mattel for their sponsorship.

State Challenge

Helen Maurus finished spectacularly by using her rack of NNRROAU to latch onto an L to make NONRURAL.

Sal Costanzo played DERRIERE in his last game -- Sal says that this seems appropriate. He didn't quite make the target of 6 games.

Although WA had held the lead early, South Australia ended up on top in the State Challenge. South Australia also gained most rating points, especially Carmel Dodd.

At the end of it all there was much exhiliration. The inaugural Australian Masters and State Challenge had gone off very well. Full credit to those who did the work to make it such a success, and indeed there were many people who helped one way or another.