Scottish teacher takes British Scrabble title

LONDON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Paul Allan, a teacher from Scotland, won the 42nd National Scrabble Championship in London, defeating Allan Simmons, another Scotsman, contest officials said.

Allan, a math and science teacher, beat Simmons 503-389 Sunday, sealing his victory by using the 86-point word "bandura," a Ukrainian lute. Other high-scoring words from the final round included "kernite," a mineral, for 100 points; "mete," meaning "to measure," for 34 points, and "exordial" (introductory) for 92 points, The Scotsman reported Monday.

In addition to the ultimate accolade for a Scrabble contestant, Allan, 43, also won a 2,500-pound ($3,992) prize, the newspaper said.