Unlike the cartoon feline, Londoner Rob Garfield (left) was far from entwined in a state of constant slumber and effortless lasagne eating, instead fully alert and 100% focused on the job at hand - winning the Midland Masters Main Event.Standing in Rob’s way, however, was a feast of troublesome final tablers, including the likes of Joe Grech, Ian Woodley and renowned pro Lucy Rokach.
Possibly the stand out performance of the competition, however, was that of local lass Lisa Scotney. A face that would be more recognisable to the participants of the lower stakes tournaments, Lisa fought and scrapped her way to the final table, surviving more than her fair share of bubble time all-ins.
That dreaded 10th spot instead went to the likable Welshman, Martyn Cavanagh, who although being the recipient of multiple good luck messages, couldn’t quite make the final table as he ran K-T suited into the Pocket Rockets of Scotney.
After shortstacker John Huckle inevitably became the first final table casualty (A-J vs A-K), it was the unfortunate Dan Carter who would be next to fall as he saw his Big Slick cruelly outdrawn by Rob Garfield’s A-Q, a Queen on the River forcing Carter down to the felt and into a near unrecoverable position.
Following Carter to the rail was the popular Joe Grech. Joe had received a nasty blow minutes prior to the final table as Ian Woodley’s K-9 somehow managed to outdo his A-K. On the final table, however, it was Gehan Zaib who dealt the blows, finding Aces at just the right time.
And with Ian Woodley (6-6 vs Rokach’s 8-8) and Jeff Kimber (A-K vs Zaib’s J-J) taking 6th and 5th for £5,750 and £7,020 respectively, we were down to our final four.Still holding the chip lead that she brought into the start of Day 2, the smart money was on Lucy Rokach (right) to take the lion’s share of the spoils, and that’s exactly what she did. After battling it out intently for in excess of two hours, Rob Garfield and Lisa Scotney finally suggested a deal, but it was Rokach who was the hardest nut to crack as she understandably seemed keen to play the comp out to a finish.
However, after the usual deal debates, gentle persuasion techniques and shifting of money, Lucy finally agreed to a distribution of the remaining funds, a decision that led to her being the biggest winner in financial terms, taking home a rather impressive 37 thousand pounds. Not too far behind was Rob with £28,300, Lisa who was intent on receiving £20,000 and low stacker Zaib who did well to take £17,205.
But of course, as is the norm at Grosvenor, the Event had to be played out to a conclusion, and after
three outdraws, it was Londoner Rob Garfield who rose triumphantly as his Q-9 hit two pair against Scotney’s Tens.So, a big congratulations to the finalists, but especially to the final four remaining players who took home the big bucks. It was one hell of a bout, and even as a mere updater, I felt like I'd done 10 rounds with Tyson. With 137 players to contend with, life wasn't easy for the staff at Walsall, but once again they did a cracking job and ought to be commended for their efforts.
[Ed Note: To view the results of this event, please click here]
