The weather may be turning but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the South Yorkshire finalists. A very strong 90% attendance ensured that it would be a good day at Sheffield United Football Club. The final would also welcome players from the Brownlow Arms, Newark who have just been crowned ‘Best Poker Pub’ at the Great British Pub Awards.
After several hours play the final table would be announced with a clear chip leader in Richard Hindmarsh of the Sheaf House, Sheffield. Even with over three times more chips than the two short stacks on the table, the cards just weren’t falling for Richard and he was quickly eliminated in 8th place. Sam Parsons of the Big Tree, Sheffield and Paul Herrick of the Gamekeeper, Scotter went onto the final table as equal short stacks. Sam wasn’t able to improve his position which wasn’t helped by drawing big blind for the final table, but finished a respectable 7th place. Paul, on the otherhand, kept his head down and eventually entered into the final heads up against Eric Burley of the Park, Sheffield. The flop came with 6s 8c 4c giving Paul a pair of 8’s over Eric’s pocket pair of 3’s but Eric was still looking at a possible club flush. As the turn delivered 8h there was no way out for Eric and the South Yorkshire champion would be Paul Herrick.

Cash Prize Winners and National Finalists
1st Paul Herrick – Gamekeeper, Scotter
2nd Eric Burley – The Park, Sheffield
3rd Luke Bentley – Tut’n’Shive, Doncaster
4th Ryan Green – Three Horseshoes, Rotherham
5th Arron Connely – Three Magpies, Rotherham
6th Sam Fletcher – Brentwood, Rotherham
7th Sam Parsons – Big Tree, Sheffield
8th Richard Hindmarsh – Sheaf House, Sheffield