The WPT National UK tour arrived in Newcastle for the first time from 1-4 May 2014. Held at Aspers Casino, the tournament was won by Wolverhampton-lad Darren Mapley, who beat 411 players to the £17,500 first prize.

The final day began with 16 players who were quickly whittled down to the final table of nine, which included Gary Copeland on 660,000; Andrew Hetherington with 1.1m; Robert Patrick on 514,000; Mark Harding with 300,000; James Brady 454,000; Hazel Birchnall 590,000; Mark Gray 540,000; Alex Walton 527,000; and Darren Mapley on 3.1m.

Unsurprisingly, given his commanding chip lead, Mapley reached heads-up play with a four million advantage over Gray, having accounted for Harding, Walton, Hetherington and Copeland on his way to his final duel.

So it was no real surprise to see the tournament completed within 10 minutes of the heads-up battle commencing. The final hand of the tournament saw Mapley raise to 1.45m and Gray call. Mapley led for 175,000 on the 6H-6S-10C flop and Gray again called.

The QS arrived on the turn and Mapley bet 210,000, with Gray responding with another call. The QD completed the board and Mapley set his opponent all-in. Gray tank-called with 9S-9H and Mapley showed AS-QH to win the hand and the trophy.

WPT National UK Newcastle
1 Darren Mapley £17,500
2 Mark Gray £12,245
3 Hazel Birchnall £7,875
4 Gary Copeland £5,825
5 Andrew Hetherington £4,375
6 Alex Walton £3,500
7 Mark Harding £2,905
8 James Brady £2,325
9 Robert Patrick £1,740