(I managed to type this all before the laptop battery ran out. Just. Too bad the wi-fi credit ran out and I couldn’t get on line … sorry for late update)
The very exciting final just ended with Nigel surmounting the 109 spread handicap. With the 109 counted in for Komol as his starting score, final score was 476-429 to Nigel.
Nigel managed to get APTNESS (81) down on his fourth move to draw almost level, 160-163, and we have an exciting fight on hand. Nigel immediately followed up with DERIDER (71). Komol kept up with BIRTH (42) and WHENS (40), Nigel had FEIJOA (43) with the rubbishy vowely rack. Komol played SOILIER (73) and Nigel played VANLOAD (24) through V and N, and the game was tied at 366 all and both blanks were still out, and the Z too.
Komol had REGUIDE with no place to play, played UREIDE (26) to hunt for the last blank or Z while restricting the board, but was disappointed to see Nigel’s sETWALL (80) still go down. That sealed the game, and it didn’t help that Nigel picked the Z too.
Nigel is the champion again, while Komol earns a WSC spot for his efforts.
