Ehe tables are turned

With the 34th Malta National Scrabble Championship nearing its halfway stage, the observer's gaze is turned down then up to the summit of the Division II table, where Maria Scicluna, who before the start of the competition was ranked third from last, is the surprise leader of the pack.  

 

Another factor that renders Scicluna's run impressive in absolute terms is that she has so far registered only one loss more than her leading counterpart in Division I David Delicata, who following the withdrawal for personal reasons of defending champion Charles Micallef, looks unrivalled in his bid to capture his sixth National title. 

 

On the contrary, Scicluna's provisional leadership is anything but unchallenged with as many as five players, headed by Frans Farrugia, poised to bounce back should Scicluna slow down her pace. 

 

A lot of the outcome of this long distance race will depend on the likes of Marlene Calleja and Pauline Cilia, whose paths, while stretching out in a different direction in the Partial Championship, will cross those of Scicluna and her chasers in a series of crucial two-game encounters. 

 

(penned and published by Nicky Vella Laurenti)