Shuffles in Portsmouth saw another good turnout for our South England Regional Final. Six seats were on offer with eight being paid, that would bring slight consolation for the two bubble boys.

The tournament started at 2pm and two trophies were up for grabs on the day, the team event and the individual winner. The team event was won by the Cuckoo Pint, Fareham who were represented by David Higgins, Albie Barrett and Robert Higgins. The trio dethroned the Half Moon, Crawley who couldn’t quite repeat their domination of last season’s Regional Final.

The final table of eight would all receive a cash prize with two unlucky players missing out on those sought after seats. Charlie Blaxley from the Cathedral Hotel, Salisbury and Mike Hughes from the Red Lion, Stubbington hit the heads-up battle. Blaxley had the best of it pre flop as the money went in. Blaxley tabled A8 and Hughes QJ as the board ran out 457 3 2 in Blaxley’s favour. Charlie Blaxley was then crown the champion of the South England region.

Cash Prize Winners
1st Charlie Blaxley – Cathedral Hotel, Salisbury
2nd Mike Hughes – Red Lion, Stubbington
3rd Richard Pickett – George, Poole
4th Martin Mabey – Mill House, Lyndhurst
5th Chris Whitehead – Bull, Worthing
6th Jon Berry – Old House at Home, Havant
7th Tim Aiken – Famous Old Pines, Bournemouth
8th Shane Windebank – Plough Inn, Southampton

National Final Qualifiers
Charlie Blaxley
Mike Hughes
Richard Pickett
Martin Mabey
Chris Whitehead
Jon Berry

Team Winners
Cuckoo Pint, Fareham