Our second Scottish final of the weekend descended onto Edinburgh as the Gala Casino opened their doors to Redtooth and players. As always there would be £1,000 up for grabs.

With the absence of last season’s winner Gary Purcell, a new champion would be crowned. It wasn’t such a great debut for the Old Brewery in Alloa as their 3 representatives were amongst the first five players to be eliminated. Craig Wilkie, Craig McLuckie (Or not so) and Michael Harrower made the early walk of shame to the bar! Better luck next time lads.

Last season’s Team Event winners, the Wintergills in Glasgow, put up a good defence of their crown but it was a second Team Event title in three seasons for the IQue Cafe Bar as Damian O’Hara was this time accompanied by Graham Smith and James Gallacher. Graham then hit the final table as the chip leader with Damian not too far behind.

The South Scotland region final table consisted of…

Seat 1: Chris Moffat – Abbey Granary, Edinburgh (22,000)
Seat 2: Gavin Earle – No.2 Baker Street, Stirling (17,000)
Seat 3: David Rotchford – Barrachnie Inn, Glasgow (25,000)
Seat 4: Adam Balazs – Schiehallion, Aberfeldy (13,000)
Seat 5: Damian O’Hara – IQue Cafe Bar, Glasgow (19,000)
Seat 6: Donald McKay – Crofters, Edinburgh (4,000)
Seat 7: Graham Smith – IQue Cafe Bar, Glasgow (50,000)
Seat 8: Paul Braidwood – Queens Retreat, Edinburgh (7,000)

A couple of our short stacks were polished off fairly quickly as they headed off to the cash desk to collect their winnings. Paul Braidwood showed some resistance as he was eliminated in 4th place for £60. Chip leader Graham Smith exited in 3rd place creating a heads-up match between Gavin Earle and David Rotchford. The tournament was to end shortly after Gavin received 10-9 and David K-7. A flop of 997 sealed the deal for Gavin as a blank on the turn and a K on the river couldn’t help David’s cause. During the early evening of Sunday 28th August, Gavin Earle was crowned the new South Scotland champion.

Cash Prize Winners
1. Gavin Earle – No.2 Baker Street, Stirling
2. David Rotchford – Barrachnie Inn, Glasgow
3. Graham Smith – IQue Cafe Bar, Glasgow
4. Paul Braidwood – Queens Retreat, Edinburgh
5. Chris Moffat – Abbey Granary, Edinburgh
6. Damian O’Hara – IQue Cafe Bar, Glasgow
7. Donald McKay – Crofters, Edinburgh
8. Adam Balazs – Schiehallion, Aberfeldy

National Final Qualifiers
Gavin Earle
David Rotchford

Team Winners
IQue Cafe Bar – Glasgow