News

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 23 January 2026; Hits: 9

Best improver for the first quarter of the season is Polly Vallance, ahead of Martin Stephens in second place and Wanda de Poitiers in third place. Welcome to Gary Whittle, and welcome back to Gillian Cranston and (for 1 night only) Richard Llanwarne.

High-scoring words:
·       122       PENITENT                    Gary (mis-scored, should have been 149!)
·       106       FOAMINGS                  Graham
·       106       SEQUINS                     Helen
·       100       NEARISH                      Helen
·       98        EXPECTER                   Helen
·       98        MIRAGES                     Helen
·       96        PRONKED                    Helen
·       95        ASCENTS                     Graham
·       95        BRIGAND                     Gary
·       94        INDICES                       Jim
·       92        BITTERS                      Jim
·       92        RAVINES                      Maire
·       90        DARBIES                      Jim
·       89        MISRATE                     Maureen
·       88        EXCITING                    Joy
·       87        KEYNOTE                    Joy
·       86        FRONTIER                   Maire
·       86        UNMALTED                  Gillian
·       83        AUNTIES                      Maire
·       82        CENTERS                     Maire
·       82        IDOLISE                       Joy
·       81        STORING                     Maureen
·       79        BEAUX                         Helen
·       79        BUNKERS                    Charles
·       79        POLLERS                     Maureen
·       79        TANKIES                      Jim
·       78        LURGIES                      Charles
·       78        PESTLES                     Joy
·       78        RIDDLER                      Charles
·       78        SWEARER                    Martin
·       78        TARMACS                    Wanda
·       76        RETAINS                      Maureen
·       76        WEDGIES                    Polly
·       75        SHINERS                      Maureen
·       75        SWEETER                    Maire
·       75        TREMORS                    Keith
·       74        FLOATER                     Charles
·       73        LAUDERS                     Maureen
·       73        TERTIAS                      Jim
Other words: 72 AGENISE Wanda, 72 DIETERS Polly, 72 REDLINES Charles, 72 STUMBLED Maire, 72 TERTIAS Jim, 72 TIRADES Maire, 72 VANILLAS Wanda, 72 VENTING Jim, 72 VETTINGS Maire, 71 LENDERS Jim, 71 STRAYED Michael, 70 OSETRAS, Helen, 70 STATION Maire, 70 WAITERS Jim, 69 DUSTIER Maire, 69 SCHOLAR Maureen, 68 AGISTERS Jim, 68 SWINGERS Maureen, 68 UNREELS Jim, 67 SPOUTER Maire, 66 BOUGIES Maureen, 66 EARTHED Maire, 66 SOILING Maureen, 65 CLIMBED Charles, 65 SWIFTER Maire, 64 ETRENNE Jim, 64 JAUNTIER Jim, 63 READOUT Maire, 61 ARTIEST Maire, 61 TERRIES Maire, 60 DIURETIC Helen, 59 ENSNARED Jim, 59 RESTRAIN Jim, 58 NATTERS Maire, 29 ZODIAC Charles, LEANING, MUSHIER, PANNIERS Polly, JAILERS, REFRAIN Amanda

9-letter words:
·       64        GROGGIEST                Fiona
·       26        OUTWITTED                Charles
·       24        ORGANISED                Charles
·       22        DIGESTION                  Helen

Many bonuses or high-scoring moves by one player in a game:
·       TAILERS 69 LESBIAN 82 MISRATED 86 UNEAGER 80 EXES 59            Helen
·       DONARIES 80 AIERIES 66 GAMBLES 74 ZARF 78                   Helen
·       TEOPANS 71 NEEDLING 68 SULFATE 80 CITATION 61            Wanda
·       BONESET 72 NEEDLING 64 ADOPTEE 65                                Fiona
·       DEFACING 80 REATTAIN 71 STRAFED 70                               Richard
·       EUCHRITE 69 TRAINEE 74 OUNDIEST 62                                Richard
·       FLOATED 75 ETHERIAL 86 WEARIES 74                                 Helen
·       INSIDER 91 ELATION 64 ATTAINED 68                           Deborah
·       MANDATE 77 ADVISED 81 SEEDIER 71                                   Wanda
·       OUTEARN 66 BRAVEST 84 ETCETERA 63                               Wanda
·       PLEADING 65 PRONATED 74 TETANISED 58                          Fiona
·       REVENANT 62 CANIEST 73 REARISES 62                               Helen
·       SILENTS 80 URBANISE 64 DEFINITE 86                                  Wanda
·       STANDING 61 VOWED 61 BENJ 61                                          Wanda
·       PEATIEST 83 CONCEDES 78 TANAISTE 77                             Wanda
·       TOASTED 69 RETINUES 77 DISTANCE 64                               Richard
·       TWIDDLES 70 HATCHES 105 PURITIES 72                              Helen
·       UNPOSED 76 HEAVIES 69 ANIMIST 90                                    Fiona
·       PAINTER 60 BORDERS 83                                                       Maire
·       RESCUERS 60 UNAIRED 70                                                    Deborah
·       RETTING 71 ENABLES 68                                                        Maire

New personal bests: Gillian 483, Gary 442 Well done!

Name	Old rating	New rating	Rating change	P	W	D	L	Average	Highest score	Highest ever
Polly Vallance	86	101	15	20	9	0	11	324.4	407	421
Martin Stephens	89	102	13	17	7	0	10	329.9	410	477
Wanda de Poitiers	168	178	10	30	26	0	4	441.6	531	598
Sharon Hewitt	149	156	7	14	9	0	5	371.4	451	548
Deborah Porter	149	152	3	16	10	0	6	377.6	468	542
Graham Harding	175	177	2	36	28	0	8	422.3	555	693
Maureen Barlow	128	129	1	23	14	0	9	368.3	509	528
Fiona Titcombe	164	165	1	18	13	0	5	414.1	482	551
Michael Spencer	72	72	0	26	4	0	22	270.7	359	502
Joy Wade	119	119	0	21	10	0	11	350.7	434	484
Maire Bennett	66	65	-1	29	3	0	26	279.7	365	498
Keith Radbourn	81	80	-1	20	4	0	16	274.1	411	418
Charles Parker	105	104	-1	27	8	0	19	333.1	433	509
Hepzi Rodrigues	131	129	-2	23	11	0	12	370.8	463	554
Helen Harding	196	194	-2	33	28	0	5	437.1	535	609
Amanda Lowe	92	89	-3	32	9	0	23	304.2	400	443
Richard Spencer	193	187	-6	30	24	0	6	428.9	541	674
Gary Whittle	104	88	-16	14	4	0	10	304.7	442	442
Jim Macey	134	116	-18	13	3	0	10	333.2	427	478
Insufficient games – a previous quarter’s results, or 13 games in a quarter, needed to qualify
Gillian Cranston	107	132	25	9	5	0	4	383.9	483	483
Richard Llanwarne	50	50	0	1	0	0	1	274.0	274	279
Pat Llanwarne	133	118	-15	11	3	0	8	339.9	406	516
Ann Boswell	50		0	0	0	0	0		0	291
Lizzie Hewitt	73		0	0	0	0	0		0	347
Johnny Sammon	82		0	0	0	0	0		0	519
Mary Twomey	116		0	0	0	0	0		0	430
Megel Barker	187		0	0	0	0	0		0	616
Tim Charlton	202		0	0	0	0	0		0	569

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 24 November 2025; Hits: 299

One of our members, Pat, took part in the Winter Matchplay Scrabble tournament held in Milton Keynes on November 22^nd – 23^rd 2025. Here is her report:

"In November I took part in the Winter Matchplay, which is a long-running tournament in Milton Keynes. As usual I stayed at the Holiday Inn, where the weekend tournament took place. There were 44 players, but only two divisions. Most players were in A. There was some tough opposition, I was player 8 of the 12 in division B.

There was an assortment of players, including a young lad and his grandmother. There was also an experiment with live streaming a game, which they hope to use at Reading's UK Open. (The live stream is here ABSP Tournament Scrabble UK - YouTube )

There were 10 games on Saturday, of which I won 3. I encountered my first total recount, which was requested by a player I had beaten by 5 points. This used up valuable time from an already short lunch break. The result of the recount was that I had actually won by 6 points.

I had a better day on Sunday, winning 5 of the 8 games. I was pleased that my rating increased by one point, now standing at 99, one point away from the elusive 100."

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 14 November 2025; Hits: 382

These statistics cover the year running from the beginning of October 2024 to the end of September 2025.

Committee:

Chairman - Deborah Porter
Secretary - Joy Wade
Treasurer - Wanda de Poitiers
Statistician - Helen Harding

Winners were as follows:

Best improver for 2024-2025:
1^st Jim Macey
2^nd Hepzi Rodrigues
3^rd Sharon Hewitt

Quarterly improver prizes:
Q1: Deborah Porter
Q2: Joy Wade
Q3: Sharon Hewitt
Q4: Jim Macey

Winter League:
Division A: Richard Spencer
Division B: Pat Llanwarne
Division C: Martin Stephens

The All-play-All:
Group A: Richard Spencer
Group B: Hepzi Rodrigues
Group C: Joy Wade
Group D: Keith Radbourn

Handicap:
Deborah Porter

· The following players scored over 500 points in a game at least once during the season:

·       ·       Graham Harding (highest score 693)
·       Richard Spencer (674)
·       Megel Barker (616)
·       Wanda de Poitiers (581)
·       Helen Harding (570)
·       Tim Charlton (569)
·       Hepzi Rodrigues (536)
·       Fiona Titcombe (525)
·       Johnny Sammon (519)
·       Deborah Porter (502)

The highest single moves were:

·
·       185       SPOOKIER       Graham
·       167       PATIENCE        Graham
·       144       FRIEZES          Wanda
·       131       LAIRIEST         Wanda
·       122       LITERATE        Helen
·       116       STAINED          Maire
·       112       TOXINES            Graham
·       111       FIXATES          Helen
·       109       SHOWERY       Helen
·       107       SQUIRMER      Tim
·       104       PRICKERS       Pat
·       104       REQUEST        Jim
·       103       QUOLL             Graham
·       102       MINDERS         Martin
·       101       SEGMENT            Graham
·       100       REQUITS         Megel

Name	Old Rating	New Rating	Rating Change	P	W	D	L	Average	Highest score	Highest ever
Jim Macey	122	168	46	52	32	0	20	369.0	463	478
Hepzi Rodrigues	132	154	22	92	51	0	41	370.5	536	554
Sharon Hewitt	131	151	20	78	50	0	28	356.9	488	548
Joy Wade	106	121	15	109	48	1	60	334.9	457	484
Maire Bennett	58	70	12	118	16	0	102	280.3	440	498
Deborah Porter	136	148	12	115	67	0	48	365.0	502	542
Keith Radbourn	71	74	3	123	29	0	94	287.4	396	418
Pat Llanwarne	130	133	3	59	25	0	34	350.9	455	516
Charles Parker	99	100	1	116	40	0	76	329.7	483	509
Wanda de Poitiers	178	178	0	125	92	1	32	421.0	581	598
Graham Harding	181	180	-1	167	121	1	45	425.0	693	693
Fiona Titcombe	149	147	-2	70	41	1	28	389.3	525	551
Helen Harding	187	185	-2	155	126	2	27	433.2	570	609
Polly Vallance	91	85	-6	72	24	1	47	311.6	421	421
Amanda Lowe	93	87	-6	96	26	0	70	306.8	443	404
Martin Stephens	109	100	-9	90	34	0	56	326.5	401	477
Michael Spencer	82	72	-10	88	16	0	72	282.4	367	502
Richard Spencer	208	183	-25	104	83	1	20	437.1	674	674

People with insufficient games (52, or an average of 1 per week) to qualify for best improver
Gillian Cranston	101	107	6	16	6	0	10	358.1	470	470
Tim Charlton	197	203	6	38	30	0	8	419.3	569	569
Megel Barker	184	187	3	9	6	0	3	453.1	616	616
Maureen Barlow	122	113	-9	43	21	0	22	346.4	449	528
Mary Twomey	105	87	-18	39	16	0	23	312.7	421	430
Lizzie Hewitt	93	73	-20	10	2	0	8	275.3	347	347
Lesley Richards	87	65	-22	2	0	0	2	223.0	285	285
Ann Boswell	93	46	-47	16	0	0	16	233.1	291	291

New members without a previous year's playing record
Johnny Sammon	82	113	31	33	15	0	18	355.8	519	519

Guests
Tom Carey		143	2	3	1	0	2	384.0	484	484
Sian Gates	63	53	-10	2	0	0	2	238.5	242	242
Cheryl Nembhard		74	-14	1	0	0	1	225.0	225	225
Deborah Tobin-Desson		35	-15	2	0	0	2	185.5	221	221

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 03 November 2025; Hits: 408

Richard recently played at the NSC at the end of October. Here is his report :

---

I played in the National Scrabble Championship between October 25-27 which was held in London at the Naim Dangoor Centre near Paddington. There were 23 games and 32 players competing in one Division.

Day 1 had 7 games and I was pleased to get 4 wins and a draw. The draw was the only one in the tournament 428-428. I was happy with as the opponent had the better tiles at the end and couldn't find the winning bonus. The final game of the day was also close as I managed a 3 point win.

Day 2 was on paper very tough as there were 9 games to play and all 9 were against opponents rated significantly higher than me. I was very happy to win 5.

Pleased to spot the extension to EVIL to become EVILDOER for 42 pts early on in the day to help get a win.

Game 10 was one of my best games see picture. After an early bonus of STRAINS played the bonus of COAMINGS which was challenged but stayed on the board. Then saw I had the bonus of AASVOGEL through the V of VOLAR. Interestingly the same bonus was played against me in game 3! 4th bonus of DAUTIES plus scoring plays of MEAT for 38 and ZOBU for 45 game me a 525-391 win.

Game 13 was a test for me as I was playing a former UK champion. After I changed 1 on the first rack my opponent played EUONYMI as his first word. I challenged and it was a phoney so came off! It wasn't a high scoring start as we both kept getting racks that didn't gel. I led 199-146 after 9 turns! Then my opponent played BERG to open up the board putting the G in the triple lane.

This gave me DEGRADES for 149 effectively ending the game.

Day 3 again was positive as I won 4 out of 7 to give me an overall total of 13 and a half out of 23 for the tournament. The final game was a fitting end finishing 487-486 as per second board photo.

This was a very open game with 3 bonuses each. After both changing opponent opened with DAUBIER for 74 but I had DESCENT 70, HOAGIES 72 and PAESANI 88 on turns 2, 4 and 5 to take a good lead. He then bonused with ASTEROID for 70 and ULTRARED for 68 to make things closer but I felt in control as long as there were no more bonuses.

I played QATS for 34 giving me a nice lead of 442-400. It left the Q in the triple lane but figured I could survive something like QIN. Unfortunately he had FIQUE for 54 to make things tight but it did mean he had to play off all his vowels leaving NNOR after picking the final tiles.

I thought I'd had just enough after playing AJIS for 30 at the end but time was running low and I hadn't spotted the better out sequence of AJAR which would have left RINGS as a threatened outplay. The photo shows this better move. (The board also contains the invalid DUCTI* don't play it!)

After AJIS opponent found his winning sequence playing BRENS for 15 and after my NAG for 16 played NON for 16 to take the game. This loss meant I finished 11th instead of 6th but I finished 20 points above rating overall which game me the ratings prize. Overall an enjoyable weekend and the result was much better than I expected.

Word highlights were,

Me -PAESANI, PARDALES, COAMINGS, CEMITARE, EASTLAND, AASVOGEL, WHEATENS, CONINES, SEMEION, INOCULA

Opponents - ULTRARED, KINGLESS, UNCOWLED, AASVOGEL, ASSLIKE

(Picture provided by Natalie Zolty- thank you)

Richard started the tournament as the 22nd best player. To finish 11th is an excellent achievement - well done.

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 03 October 2025; Hits: 533

Best improver for the fourth quarter of the season is Jim Macey, ahead of Johnny Sammon in second place and Hepzi Rodrigues in third place. Welcome to Tom Carey; good luck in the next World Championships!

High-scoring words:
·       185       SPOOKIER                   Graham            (triple-triple)
·       104       PRICKERS                   Pat
·       104       REQUEST                    Jim
·       94        DECIDERS                   Deborah           (double-double)
·       94        PEANUTS                     Helen
·       92        FEASTED                     Graham
·       92        SEXTANT                     Deborah
·       92        SIEVERTS                    Helen
·       91        GROWERS                   Graham
·       90        QUEERING                  Charles
·       90        UNVESTED                  Graham
·       89        OXTAILS                      Charles
·       87        REACHES                    Maire
·       87        SPICIER                       Helen
·       85        CATERING                   Jim
·       84        CRAZES                       Johnny
·       83        DESTAIN                      Jim
·       83        PRALINES                    Jim
·       82        CHEWIEST                   Jim
·       82        PANCREAS                  Johnny
·       81        DONKEYS                    Maire
·       81        LEEWARD                    Jim
·       81        MUSTIER                     Hepzi
·       81        STOOGES                    Maureen
·       80        ARTIEST                      Maire
·       80        PANTIES                      Hepzi
·       80        TRAINER                      Maire
·       79        ARENOUS                    Johnny
·       79        STRIDER                      Charles
·       77        NASTIEST                    Charles
·       77        UNSALTED                   Charles
·       76        AERIEST                      Hepzi
·       76        FOISTING                    Johnny
·       76        SMARTER                    Maire
·       75        WEARIES                     Maureen

Other words: 74 FEISTIER Jim, 74 SPLITTER Hepzi, 74 TITTLES Charles, 74 UNITERS Maire, 73 ADIPOSE Maureen, 73 AEDILES Jim, 73 ARCADES Maire,73 DARTLES Johnny, 73 LAKIEST Jim, 73 SOOTIER Hepzi, 73 STERNED Jim, 73 TERMINI Jim, 72 LOATHES Maire, 72 STINGER Maureen, 72 TANKERS Maire, 71 GENUINE Maire, 70 ASTERIA Johnny, 70 BLUEISH Jim, 70 BUTCHERY Deborah, 70 ERODING Jim, 70 INVERTS Charles, 70 NITRIDE Johnny, 70 ROASTIE Maire, 70 SOBRIETY Johnny, 69 DAMAGES Jim, 69 NUTRIAS Johnny, 69 SIRLOIN Charles, 68 ACTIONER Maureen, 68 HEATING Maire, 68 NEONATE Johnny, 68 RIVETED Jim, 68 STATING Hepzi, 68 TRANNIES Hepzi, 67 CONNERS Maire, 67 GOUTIER Jim, 67 LIONISE Maureen, 66 ARSENIC Jim, 66 LOITERS Maureen, 66 SAUNTER Jim, 66 SWELTER Johnny, 65 CHEERING Jim, 65 DEITIES Charles, 65 REPOTTED Mary, 64 CHARTERS Jim, 64, SPOILER Jim, 64 STAINER Maire, 64 STARNIE Jim, 63 ALIENEE Jim, 63 OUTRIDE Jim, 62 IDEALLY Johnny, 62 RIGIDITY Jim, 62 SAILORS Maire, 61 DINNERS Jim, 60 CANOEING Charles, 60 NIOBATE Johnny, 60 MANILAS Mary, BELOVED, FAVORITE, SLANGERS Amanda

Many bonuses or high-scoring moves by one player in a game:
·       CAREENS 77 STROBES 71 PREFACES 66 REGATTA 79            Richard
·       DREAMIER 59 FAINTING 86 SUSPECTS 91 SPRINGER 78            Graham
·       FLOATER 84 TEASING 82 STAMPED 78 ZESTY 78                  Graham
·       SAPLING 74 GELATION 77 TRAYNED 80 RINSABLE 61            Graham
·       SALINES 66 ZOWIE 65 REATTAIN 59 SATIRES 68                   Helen
·       ALLUDES 73 TROOLIE 79 SATIRES 73                                    Graham
·       ANNEALS 72 SPECIAL 82 NEOPHILE 70                                  Richard
·       APOGEES 65 WHITENS 104 SYRINGE 64                                Graham
·       BRINIEST 70 OUTINGS 70 SOLVENT 69                                  Hepzi
·       BLUEISH 85 INVITED 71 DENIERS 73                                      Johnny
·       HOATZIN 100 DISAGREE 83 REAGENT 66                               Graham
·       JADES/HOATZINS 111 STARING 70 MISTUNE 90                    Helen
·       MAESTROS 80 TRIENNIA 82 ISLANDER 68                              Helen
·       INSOLENT 60 LEGIBLE 69 RETAILER 59                                  Helen
·       PENNIES 83 WAXER 55 TRAVELS 69                                      Maire
·       RELENTS 64 CAYENNE 86 PINDAREE 76                                Richard
·       RUSTIER 69 FEASTER 98 RETOTALS 77                                 Graham
·       SNAILED 68 ALIENORS 72 MISLEAD 96                                   Johnny
·       SNORING 79 TASTIEST 86 CORONAS 83                                Fiona
·       STATUES 82 DARNEST 73 READOUT 63                                 Graham
·       UNTRIED 76 SCARIER 72 BORNITES 62                                  Wanda

New personal best: Johnny Sammon 519 Well done!

Name	Old rating	New rating	Rating change	P	W	D	L	Average	Highest score	Highest ever
Jim Macey	134	168	34	13	11	0	2	396.2	463	478
Johnny Sammon	82	113	31	21	12	0	9	370.4	519	519
Hepzi Rodrigues	131	154	23	27	19	0	8	389.1	536	554
Martin Stephens	89	100	11	27	9	0	18	320.9	372	477
Wanda de Poitiers	168	178	10	28	23	0	5	416.3	532	598
Graham Harding	175	180	5	40	28	0	12	426.6	543	693
Maire Bennett	66	70	4	29	5	0	24	290.1	367	498
Joy Wade	119	121	2	30	15	0	15	341.1	457	484
Sharon Hewitt	149	151	2	25	16	0	9	348.1	457	548
Michael Spencer	72	72	0	15	3	0	12	268.4	323	502
Pat Llanwarne	133	133	0	15	6	0	9	353.4	438	516
Deborah Porter	149	148	-1	33	18	0	15	372.4	489	542
Amanda Lowe	92	87	-5	19	4	0	15	310.9	443	404
Charles Parker	105	100	-5	33	12	0	21	323.5	399	509
Keith Radbourn	81	74	-7	36	6	0	30	277.5	370	418
Richard Spencer	193	183	-10	24	16	1	7	423.5	522	674
Helen Harding	196	185	-11	37	25	2	10	425.6	539	609
Maureen Barlow	128	113	-15	37	17	0	20	349.4	449	528
Fiona Titcombe	164	147	-17	21	10	1	10	387.9	525	551
Insufficient games – a previous quarter’s results, or 13 games in a quarter, needed to qualify
Tom Carey	141		2	3	1	0	2	384.0	484	484
Tim Charlton	202	203	1	9	8	0	1	436.6	475	569
Polly Vallance	86	85	-1	11	4	0	7	305.6	361	421
Mary Twomey	116	87	-29	11	2	0	9	304.4	402	430
Deborah Tobin-Desson	50		0	0	0	0	0		0	221
Ann Boswell	50		0	0	0	0	0		0	291
Lizzie Hewitt	73		0	0	0	0	0		0	347
Cheryl Nembhard	74		0	0	0	0	0		0	225
Gillian Cranston	107		0	0	0	0	0		0	470
Megel Barker	187		0	0	0	0	0		0	616

Page 1 of 25

Best Improver – October to December 2025

Winter Matchplay tournament, Milton Keynes

Statistics Summary – 2024-2025

National Scrabble Championships (NSC) 2025

Best Improver – July to September 2025