Theresa Brousson claimed her 10th consecutive national title, this year renamed as the Malta National Scrabble Championship, after a stuttering start that saw her concede two losses in her first direct encounter with main challenger David Delicata.

Gradually, however, she took control of the situation to win the title in a convincing manner, dropping only a total of eight games out of 44.

That was five fewer than Delicata, who, in the end, had to withstand a late challenge for the runner-up spot by Charles Micallef.

In fact, Micallef finished only two points behind Delicata in third place with 14 losses against the 13 conceded by the latter.

Moira Fenech, a new face in the top flight, did extremely well to finish fourth overall out of 11 players who made up the First Division.

On the back of her showing, Fenech should prove to be a leading contender in future championships.

Nicky Vella Laurenti and Christine Strawbridge could have provided a stronger challenge to the leading players but they opted to play on a once-weekly basis while the rest of the field were twice on the table every week.

Josephine Mayo dominated the Second Division to finish 20 points ahead of runner-up Dominic Borg from a field of eight players.

Mayo won 32 out of 42 games, 10 more than Borg, while Frans Farrugia finished in third place.

Pawlu Frendo won the Third Division closely followed by Alfred Xuereb – four points behind in second place.