Well, that's another festival done and dusted, and what a cracker it was too, attracting what may well be record numbers for Grosvenor Walsall. Every comp seemed to be packed to the rafters, and rightly so too as I always have a good time down here. But Walsall haven't been without criticism: prize structure, disruptive players, missing levels and so on, but what should be emphasised is that Zak, Dani and the boys have worked excellently as a team and have always been firm supporters of blonde. Like all of us, they make mistakes, but sometimes decisions are made that are beyond there control, so whilst we highlight the negatives of this week, we must also praise the positives, to which their remain many.
In terms of the Main Event, it was one hell of a bout, and even as a mere updater, I feel like I've done 10 rounds with Tyson. With 137 players to contend with, life wasn't easy for the Beagle, but it was made that much more enjoyable by a combination of helpful staff and lots of friendly faces at the tables.
A big congratualtions to all the finalists, but especially to G Zaib, Lisa Scotney, Lucy Rokach and Robert Garfield, the latter taking the title after agreeing a deal with the other three participants.
What was certainly noticable though is how 'talk of deals' always seems to rear an ugly head, even when initially discussed in a calm and sensible manner. At first discussions were easy going and relaxed, but once greed started taking over and people worried about trivial things such as paying the waitresses, not breaking a round number and giving Lucy an extra couple of hundred, it all threatened to go slightly sour. At one point they even started to play on because of £100, which Rob Garfield correctly described as 'petty and ridiculous'.
But in the end, a deal was struck amicably and everyone went home with a smile on their face, even Lucy who appeared to be the hardest nut to crack in the striking of a deal.
As for me, well I'm cream-crackered, so it'll be straight to bed for me and a prime opportunity to grab 40 winks before I next hit the road. There seems to be a Fesitval of somesort every week now, but if they are half as fun as this weekend was, then I'll have no reason to complain.
Nighty night, folks and thank you for supporting the blonde live updates.
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