Ruby Cummings outspells Yvonne Murray to claim scrabble goodwill trophy
Sep 06, 2016, , http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ble-goodwill-trophy/
Months of staunch application and acute perseverance has eventually borne fruit for veteran scrabble player, Ruby Cummings, who turned in a masterful display to dethrone Yvonne Murray and cart off the spoils when scrabble players convened at Murray’s Nandy Park residence for their monthly goodwill tournament last Sunday evening.
Ruby Cummings shows off the spoils.
Cummings amassed 5 points with a positive spread of 225 to lift the prized accolade and dismantle the Murrays’ dynasty. Ulric Harris was her first victim and she disposed of him by a spread of 42. Her next victim was the defending champion, Yvonne Murray and Cummings strengthened her claim to honours with a win by a spread of 34.
Newcomer to the sport, Christine Afeez, turned in a credible performance but just could not avoid an 83 spread defeat as Cummings dug in for the coveted trophy. Maurice Munru checked Cummings’ advance when he defeated her by a close spread of 7 one game before Cummings scraped past Michael Benjamin by a nail biting 2 points after fortunes had swayed from one player to the next before Cummings came through with a final play that pushed her in front and sealed the issue.
Cummings also registered a victory over Carlton Murray (164) before benefitting from a bye.
The players return next month to continue the intense rivalry but in the meantime will convene at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, this and every Thursday afternoon to join other players for their weekly practice sessions.
Meanwhile, Ms. Murray continues to agitate for the sport’s inclusion in the schools’ sports curriculum. She said that she had had discussions with Minister Rupert Roopnarine who had supported the venture with a monetary contribution, on behalf of the Government, to offset the cost of the games. These items have since arrived in Guyana and will soon be distributed to 10 schools. Scrabble tutors will then be dispatched to these schools to prepare the children for competition soon.