With the NPL (National Poker League) £2,500 Main Event on the horizon, Dusk Till Dawn's Dave Colclough has brushed aside the critics that knocked him throughout 2006 by picking up yet another result to accompany his six figure victory in the GUKPT.
This time the £500 No Limit Hold'Em Freezeout side event was his playing field, and after finalling for 5th in the £500er the night before, El Blondie was clearly in confident mood, translating his £27,050 in chips into a triumphant victory and a £5.6k payday.
At the start of the final table, it was Jason de Freitas who was top of the tree, his £32,700 enough to head a line up that included veteran players Al Sapiano and Stuart Nash. However, with Colclough hot on his heels in second, he was to be in for a rough ride.
Although Sapiano and Nash fell in 6th and 5th respectively, Colclough kept his head above water, first by eliminating Nash with K-Q vs. Eights, before making short work of Paul Eprhemsen with A-7 vs. Pocket Fives, an Ace on the River sealing Eprhemsen's fate.
Heads up, and Dave and Jason de Freitas were virtually equal in chips, although the former leading the way in experience. A trying 122 hands later, and we'd finally found our delighted winner, Colclough lifting the trophy when he called Jason's all-in push with K-8. Jason was just a gnat's breath ahead with A-7, but with the King hitting the Turn, he was dead to an Ace which failed to arrive.
Tomorrow's £2,500 Main Event is scheduled to commence at 4pm, and with Dave Colclough bringing home the bacon in one of the side events and finalling in another, he is perhaps right on top of his game and in with a good chance of taking top honours. However, to achieve this goal, he'll have to battle past a host of 'names' who are pencilled in for the 'big one' - the likes of Todd Brunson, Noah Boeken and Tony G all eager to stop him in his tracks.
As with the rest of the week, it'll all be taking place in one of the country's most popular card clubs, the Loose Cannon Club in London. Let's hope El Blondie can repeat the feat.