On Monday 18th January, The Joshua Foundation held its 2nd Sporting/Poker dinner and raised over £3,000 for the charity’s work with children suffering from terminal cancer.

Held at the Grosvenor Casino, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, the evening started with a 5 course meal followed by a Q & A with sporting stars Martyn Williams & Rob Howley, snooker’s Mark Williams and Cardiff Devils players Ryan Finnerty and Tyler Michelle

Then the table cloths were whipped away and a poker tournament for the 80 guests got underway.

MC, Nicky Piper gave commentary throughout the evening and there was lots of banter across the tables with everybody having lots of fun.

Mark Williams who is an experienced and skilled poker player was the first celeb to go out, quickly followed by Rob Howley who was absolutely gutted to be eliminated by Martyn Williams when his full house ran into an amazing four of a kind, Aces.

Both Cardiff Devils did well getting down to the last 20 players, but the best celeb performance was by Martyn Williams who almost made the final table, going out in 12th place.

All 10 final table contestants won prizes.

Play was exciting as players were eliminated. Amazingly the final 3 consisted of husband and wife Mike and Somkit Jefferies and Ritchie White.

Showing no mercy, Mike eliminated wife Somkit with royal straight and we were down to the last two.

With a first prize of £1,000, both players showed lots of skill, but eventually experience told and Mike was ecstatic to take the cash. Ritchie was disappointed but comforted by the £300 Sony camera he received for 2nd place.