Dave Maxted from Denton loves most sports ...but has won big at Betfred because of snooker.
He has always picked numbers one, four and seven because of course 147 is the game's maximum break.
And then with randomly selected 8 and 9 he won over £20,000 from a FIFTY PENCE accumulator at his local Betfred shop when all five numbers were drawn on the Irish Lotto.
Grocery delivery man Dave, aged 46 said: "I have no immediate plans on how to spend my winnings but I do intend to watch England play the West Indies in the Caribbean...that's been an ambition of mine and something my dad always wanted to do.
"I like all sports except rugby. I love Manchester United although I'm not loving watching how they are playing at the moment.
"I really like cricket at Lancashire particularly in their heyday with Michael Atherton and Neil Fairbrother. Then there is Snooker, boxing and darts I love most sports really.
"I won the £12,000 on the National Lottery nearly 30 years ago but switched to the Irish because the odds on winning are so much better."
What a great return from just a 50p bet for Dave, a regular customer of ours for over 20 years. He's clearly loving life with his wide ranging sporting interests...and that trip to the Caribbean he's planning looks a cracker!
It's nothing new in the world of rugby league to name a weakened team with the aim to protect your top players for bigger games ahead.
That's what Salford coach Paul Rowley did resting his main men for the game at Wigan who duly went on to lose 64-0 - and that meant the Betfred Super League Shield went to the Warriors.
But that didn't matter a jolt to Rowley as the Red Devils stayed fourth at the end of the final round of regular season games - and thus won the right to a home eliminator against Leigh on Friday night.
Rowley admitted he is determined to have as fit as possible squad for the play offs. And that includes half back Marc Sneyd, who has not only been named in the 2024 Dream Team but his consistency has won him the Albert Goldthorpe Medal.
Salford get the business end to this fantastic season underway as the 25/1 outsiders to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 12.
Meanwhile Wire are justifiably favourites at Betfred to win their eliminator at the Halliwell Jones against Saints on Saturday.
They have not only beaten St Helens three times in this campaign but finished third in the Betfred Super League regular season - ten points ahead of their sixth place opponents.
Betfred have Wigan as favourites at evens to win the Grand Final with Hull KR at 11/4.
Those two get a week off of course while Warrington at 9/2 third favourites play Saints who are in to 12/1 to be the unlikely champions.
Meanwhile we have Leigh who lock horns with the Red Devils in the first eliminator at 20/1 - and my home town team Salford at 25/1.
Last time out the Wolves predictably enough hammered lowly London 54-0 in a game that saw the return from injury of one of the big stars of the season Matt Dufty.
The jet heeled Aussie is in fact one of only three Southern Hemisphere players in the newly announced Betfred Super League 2024 Dream Team.
Warrington coach Sam Burgess certainly isn't taking Saturday's game for granted. He accepts Saints have had it tough with injuries but added they have a few top players back on board and he expects a "strong challenge. "
What I have found interesting is that five of the clubs to finish the regular season in the top six are from this side of the Pennines with only Man of Steel candidate Mikey Lewis-inspired Hull KR breaking up our monopoly.
Here's RL legend Paul Sculthorpe's view of two eliminators. The Oldham born Betfred TV pundit writes:
"Never write off the Saints - that’s a saying synonymous with this great club. However, this week actions must speak louder than words!
"I say this after yet another hugely disappointing display, going down 18-12 away at the Leigh Leopards.
"This result took away the opportunity to finish fourth at the end of the regular Betfred Super League season and secure a home eliminator against the Salford Red Devils. Instead it was the Leopards who secured fifth spot, pushing Saints to sixth - and thus ending Catalans Dragons season there and then, despite their win over Hull FC 24 hours later. The Red Devils were the big winners in the final round of the regular season with their gamble of fielding a virtual reserve team against Wigan which paid off handsomely for Paul Rowley, retaining fourth place ....and a crucial home tie.
"Saints head coach Paul Wellens admits it will take a Herculean effort if his side are to lift the Betfred Super League Grand Final trophy from this position. Firstly, having to get through an in-form Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday. Then, if successful, go to the Brick Community Stadium to take on newly crowned League Leaders Shield winners Wigan.
"One thing I do know is, the performance on Saturday needs to be a million times better from that shown at the Leigh Sports Village.
"Wello spoke post game and said despite a loss on the scoreboard, it was a win for the team. I honestly have to disagree. I didn’t see anything positive from that game, other than securing sixth place and not ending the season there and then.
"In defence of Paul, coaches are thrown in front of Sky cameras straight after a game, with all the emotion of what they’ve just watched….and there’s a bit of an unwritten rule of saying too much. I’m sure the post match post mortem in the changing rooms was very different.
"The game started well for the visitors. At the ten minute mark, we saw some great execution down the right edge with Tommy Makinson crossing over in the corner.
"Unfortunately, Lachlan Lamb’s dying swan as he brushed Sione Matautia’s shoulder was enough for video ref Ben Thaler to disallow the try.
"This is by far and away the worst rule in RL. It’s a cop out for a bad defender. A very ugly view of our sport and something I detest weekly. I honestly don’t know what else Sione can do when he’s running a genuine line..
"Anyway, no doubt this had a bearing on the game, not only the all-important points but the confidence and momentum an early try gives. Instead, ten minutes later the Leopards open the scoring via skipper John Asiata following some poor defence by Jake Burns.
"More defensive disarray saw them double their lead and go into the break 12-0 up.
"The hosts were down to 12 men following a Ricky Leutele sin-binning, for what looked like a great hit on Jack Welsby. Saints made use of the extra man, again opening up the Leigh left edge, with Tommy Mak finishing it in his own spectacular style.
"Then three minutes later, a Jonny Lomax kick took an awkward bounce, and as per, Mark Percival led the chase and was first to the ball, knocking it back to Lewis Dodd who fed the supporting Morgan Knowles to go under the posts. And at 12-12 it was game on!
"Saints were back in it despite yet again looking devoid of ideas on attack. Clearly again a lack of direction and organisation from our key indicators. This is something that needs to vastly improve this weekend if we are to get a result.
"More frustrating for Wello was the simple fundamental errors. We turned over far too much easy ball, giving Leigh too much possession and opportunity after opportunity in good field position.
"On 67 mins, Saints makeshift right edge was again pulled apart as Josh Charnley scored his 247th Super League try, joining Danny McGuire just behind Ryan Hall in the all-time scoring record. More importantly, he secured his side a place in the play-offs and a trip down the East Lancs to Salford on Friday.
"So, it’s do-or-die on Saturday, as we face a Wire side who won’t be lacking in confidence, having scored 120 unanswered points in their last two games.
"However, Saints will be hoping that the opposition won’t be battle hardened and can take advantage.
"I think if Saints are to win, they have got to be super aggressive, on both attack and defence. There definitely needs to be more defensive cohesion on the edges, especially with the pace of the Wire's Matty Ashton and his team mate Josh Thewlis on the wings. But, it starts with controlling the big fellas and ruck speed. Aggressive, but disciplined.
"On attack, obviously cut the individual unforced errors, but play very direct, quick ruck speed and bodies in motion. Once playing on the front foot we have enough ability to cause any team problems. But players have to want this, want to be clinical in the effort based areas.
"Wigan and Hull KR will be sitting watching with their feet up, having earned a week off. I think this is definitely an advantage this time of the year, averse to some people's opinions that it’s more beneficial to keep momentum of games.
"The Warriors, evens favourites with Betfred for Old Trafford glory on October 12, are taking advantage of the fixture free weekend, with Matty Peat choosing to take his players down to Bath RU for a three-day training camp ahead of next weekend's semi final."
Glossop racing sensation Alisha Palmowski is ready to take another step forward in her career after being invited to test drive in the FIA’s Formula E Women series.