A HARPENDEN man has vowed not to let his defeat in the final of the National Scrabble Championships get him down.

David Webb went head-to-head with Craig Beevers whose successes include being crowned Countdown series winner.

The former finalist beat David in the first three of the five rounds, scooping the national title from the local hopeful – who co-wrote a book named How To Win At Scrabble.

The 47-year-old of Milton Road said: “It was really exciting and great fun. When you are playing a best of five it's a very small number of games and it's luck as well as skill.

“You try your best but there is always a chance that your opponent can win a game.

“Craig is an excellent player and each game was so close.”

When asked about how he feels losing at the last hurdle, David added: “It's always an ambition to win, I have never even been in the finals before so just to get there is terrific.

“Playing in front of an audience was fantastic. Obviously I am disappointed – I would have been more disappointed if I played badly but I didn't.”

The war of words took place on Sunday in London and David said he still has his sights set on future championship games.