Last but not least

Last but not least

Matto became member automatic on recommnedation of James who had started hanging round with him after his bum pal Rias had disappeared back to Pakistan for un known reasons!

The final member came by a strange turn of events. Many weeks prior to team selection me n Gypos were on same table and this loud mouthed cockney geezer sits down who we had seen a few times at previous tournies. There was no doubt this guy cud play but by god he told everyone he could as well. He was like a John Motson of poker at the table plus he was very derogative of Gypos play giving the impression he didnt rate him. We nicknamed him Spurs and decided to beast him abit over the coming weeks but to give the guy his dues he grew on us with his sense of humour and his solid game but mainly deep down he knew we were good solid players (as Gypos was to proove to him at several final tables) wit good crack and he wanted to be pals with us. No problem we thought and selection onto Teamdobbs was decided.
Week before team challenge after me paying all the team in I turn up to make sure Spurs is ganna show as I hadnt seen him for a couple of weeks. "Gis ya mobile and home number just incase any FING turns up he says to me " Ooops alarm bells ring and sure enough at 4.00 on night of tournie the call comes through he cant make it and we now one short.
Most of us had arranged to meet early for happy hour in Jesmond at 5 bells and I decide to just show up there and am confident we pick up the player we need to make up team there or at casino. The snooker lads Dave & Andy were meeting us at 7 in the casino.
I get there just after 5 and James and Matto are there with this other guy Adam. Telling James we are one down cos the cockney aint showing its no probs cos Adam is solid they reckon and so the 8th member is found.
Azi follows into pub but hey summit not reet here ! "" Wheres Gypos "" I had assumed he be there 1st cos he luvs the crack and the drink but no sign? Give Gypo a ring Jamesy who after several attempts on his mobile gives up announcing wrong number. I must be one of the very few people in the UK that dont have a mobile and dont miss it yet at that time a mobile was needed. No one else had his number so it was left at that.
From 5 till 7 the drinks flowed with several hits on the freebie wheel giving maximum return for minimum outlay and we pile into 2 taxis for the short journey over to the Grosvenor.
Already half tanked now we ready for Team challenge and there waiting was Dave , Andy and an easily wound up Gyposdog. Not pleased at all i reckon cos im sure through some mis understanding he thought we must of been giving early meet a miss. After a bit of wind up Im sure he thought we had delibrately side stepped him but Mick NO WAY! When ya a m8 of mine that wud neva happen. An announcement on the tannoy wanted me and i drew our team number from the hat for the team game which was about to start. Teamdobbs was about to go into action for the 1st Time. Lol - we were loud from the start, 1/2 cut and after a quick hand slapping between us the tournie began.