On 22nd August Richard and Pat played in the 7 game Oxford Tournament.

Here are their reports - Richard in a tough A division and Pat in an equally strong B division.

Richard :

I played in the 7 game Oxford tournament. It wasn't that memorable as I only won 3 but I did have some good games and unusual bonuses.

In game one I found ORIBATID as a double double on move 1. Also bonused with CHAUNTS to edge the game 443-416. After a good win in game 2 played top seed Harshan Lamabadusuriya. Usually I get well beaten when I play him but I started with 3 bonuses in four turns - EBRIATED for 90, MIDWATER for 67 and TRAMELED for 78 which gave me hopes of an upset.

Harshan was scoring well however with non bonus plays and PREACHES for 86 so kept in range. I then spotted I had RELINING through an open E but sadly it was blocked inadvertantly by his play of SOV. and after his next move of ORGIA he has set up an S lane with one in the bag taking the lead by 416-406. I could not really block effectively with the one vowel I had and score so had to take a chance he wouldn't have a bonus and leave the spot playing GLARING for 22. However, he then bonused with TOADIES to win. (game board attached)

After a one sided loss in game 4 lost an entertaining game 5 against Bob Lynn. He bonused with BEADIER and NOSEGAY in moves 2 and 3 but after my WEXE for 65 and ECCLESIA for 71 the scores were close. He bonused again with UNTRADED for 68 but I had SOONEST for 84. Not enough for me to win though as he had the initiative in the end game and I had awkward tiles.

Game 6 looked like another loss as I had a lot of low scoring plays in mid game my opponent scored 97 for LACQUER to take a good lead. I had to bonus to have a chance of winning. Played BUY to set up a new bonus lane and hope he played elsewhere. There was a nice spot for CASTE for 37 so the lane was left free. I then picked up the J and found POTJIES for 101 to win 417-378 (board attached)

In the final game I disappointingly missed some plays that cost me the game. Doubted OUTPRICE so didn't play it and then later had a bonus of ARUGOLA at a crucial point but missed where it played hooking the A above SH this miss cost me as he bonused with SALTIES and then got ZAG for 48 to win.

Best words;

Richard : ORIBATID - 95, EBRIATED 90, MIDWATER 67, TRAMELED 78, POTJIES 101, ECCLESIA 71
Opponents - LIFELIKE 82, LACQUER 97, NOSEGAY 83, UNTRADED 68, STIRRUP 66

Pat :

On Saturday I took part in the one-day tournament in Oxford.   The tables were quite spread out,  as there were only 29 players today. They were split into 2 divisions. I was in Division B. I won 3 games, lost 3 games and had a bye. Unfortunately I left my scoresheets behind, but I can remember playing GOOSIER and RABBITS.

 As neither Richard nor I was likely to win a prize, I took this general photo of the action. Richard is in the centre of the picture.