Lucky punter picks up 200k from a £1 bet

A Betfred customer who has two jobs to make ends meet has won a whopping £200,000 from a ONE POUND bet.

Araya Curry earns the minimal wage as a cleaner in a hospice and in the evening is paid by the hour as a restaurant waitress.

But now the 40 year old Betfred customer and her HGV driver husband Andy can put  tough times behind them  and enjoy  the good life in her home country along with their two children.

She won big on our own numbers game the Nifty 50 hitting the jackpot when all her five choices 8,10, 21, 23 and 45 were drawn out.

Araya, of Bury St Edmunds in Sussex, said: "I have been working 14 hour days for a long time so this fantastic win has totally transformed the lives not just for me and Andy but our children too.

"We had a ten year plan to acquire land in Thailand and go  and emigrate. Now it's all been brought forward and work has already started on our six bedroom villa over there."

Husband Andy, a 45 year old former fireman who met Araya whilst on holiday 20 years ago, added: "The boys thought something was wrong when they saw her on the phone and she started screaming.They joined in shouting put that we'll be soon living in Thailand.

" I was working as usual and my phone was blowing up with Araya telling me she had won so much. I still can't believe you can win such a huge amount  from a £1 bet.

"We want to thank Betfred boss Fred Done from the bottom if our hearts. Our new dream  home in Thailand which us costing £43,000 is already under construction because they don't mess around there."

Araya went on: "Life is tough and that's why I do two jobs and Andy does long hours as well. Now Fred has made our dreams a reality.

"It was fate how I went for those numbers for Nifty 50 after a friend left her choices for the National Lottery on a table in our house and I used them! I have only recently switched to Nifty 50 and this was something like my tenth go."

I've been invited to visit the Curry family should he ever be in Thailand!  Wow this really does take some believing winning £200,000 from £1 us is  incredible. No one in Betfred's 57 year history deserves their good fortune more than this hardworking couple. I'm chuffed to bits that I'm in a position to help them fulfil their long held dreams.

Meanwhile I thought it was spot on how Sam Burgess didn't go over the top in praise of the Wire after they demolished Huddersfield Giants.

The 48-0 triumph was Warrington's biggest win of the Betfred Super League season - and the first time in this campaign they had nillied the opposition 

But Burgess although obviously delighted said his team had cut out errors and followed the game plan.

The match was a personal triumph for returning skipper Stefan Ratchford who picked up an impressive personal tally of 20 points including one try and kicked all eight goals.

The Giants angry coach Ian Watson lambasted his team saying that every one of them was outworked by their Warrington opponents "which is embarrassing. "

The big win sends out a clear message that the Wolves are coming good at the right time of the season.

They are joint second in the Betfred Super League table in 22 points alongside Saints, Hull KR and fast emerging Salford. 

With Saints surprisingly losing at home to lowly Castleford, the odds for Grand Final glory have shifted although Wigan are still the 8/11 favourites to again be champions as they are four points clear at the top with a game in hand.

Next up at Betfred we have St Helens at 3/1, Warrington at 8/1 with HKR and Catalans Dragons both at 10/1 while Salford have been cut to 25/1.

And finally what marvellous news that Wire along with Wigan are showing just how ambitious they are by flying off to Las Vegas next year to raise the game's profile in the United States.

Not surprisingly I have been to Vegas the odd time and what a place to visit. So to get to Vegas  and take in some NFL games and see the Warriors and Wire there , well what is there not to like? Book me a ticket!

Paul Sculthorpe, the Oldham born RL legend, slams fast-fading St Helens. The Betfred TV pundit writes:

"It’s difficult to know where to begin this week. I’m well aware my columns in the last few weeks have created a bit of noise and controversy surrounding recent performances.

"In no means was it written to be controversial, merely my opinion on the current situation of the team and certain players.

"It’s not a witch hunt, as I’m good friends with the majority of the squad but I have to give an honest account of what I’ve seen.

"Unfortunately, yet again on Friday I was proven right. It  was probably the worst Saints performance I’ve seen since retiring to become a spectator, possibly the worst in the Betfred Super League era.

"Take nothing away from a resilient, dogged Castleford side who gave everything to get the 8-6 win, but that side shouldn’t be beating Saints at home, ever.

"Yes we have a number of key players out injured, and some who you know would have a massive impact on others, namely Knowles, Matautia and Walmsley.

"But that’s the game, and as our coach Paul Wellens said in his post match interview, there was still enough in that Saints 17 to take care of business.

"I’ve absolutely no doubt the defeat wasn’t due to the lack of effort, but with that you need composure, guile and the basic skills to win matches.

"Saints didn’t have any of the above. I was watching from the stand, and it looked at times that players didn’t know what they were supposed to be doing.

"In defence of Wello, I know how good a coach he is. Meticulous in his preparation, very well respected by his players and staff and a coach who likes players to play. As a player he was someone who enjoyed the fruits of a team who loved to ‘play’. Why wouldn’t he want that as a coach.

"It’s easy for people to jump on him when the team turns out a performance like on Friday. Unfortunately for him it comes with the job but once those players cross the white line, what they serve up is out of his hands.

"Dropped balls, forced offloads, falling off tackles, ten metre  touchline penalty kicks,  a complete lack of communication and direction has to sit with the players on the field.

"What does sit with the coach is what he does about it the following week, and Paul Wellens has already hinted they’re will be changes.

"The team are going through a tough spell no doubt, and confidence is low, but they can’t dwell on it. If ever there was a game to completely turn around the current situation it’s Wigan away!

"There’s no doubt the neighbours over the hill will be intent on crushing an already broken side, however as I well know having been on the wrong end a few times, stranger things have happened.

"Back to selections, I’m afraid there has to be changes at half back. Lewis Dodd just isn’t doing it. It’s too an important position, that impacts too many of the players around him. The lack of direct attacking threat, and overall involvement cannot be carried at Betfred Super League level. Other key indicators Lomax and Welsby are trying hard, but again need more composure on the ball. We need to create more opportunities for our back rowers and strike players.

"Players like Mark Percival, who I’ve got to say week in week out gives nothing but 120 per cent to try and bring something to our attack.

"I care massively for this great club and it’s been a tough watch the past few months, but there has been some positives.

"Matty Lees and George Delaney continue to lead from the front, despite the lack of front foot rugby. Sam Royle crossed for his first Betfred Super League try, and a good friend of mine, Johnny Vaughan made a well deserved first team debut. He deserved it to be on a better night than it was, however there is no doubt this kid will be involved in many a great night at St Helens RFC.

"So, on the DW Stadium on Friday to face Betfred’s clear 8/11 favourites to retain their title at the end of the year. The Warriors are four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand, but aren’t unbeatable…far from it.

"However, it’s going to take an almighty turn around in performance if we are to do that. Betfred, rightly have the home side 2/7 favourites to win the game, and it’s hard to disagree.

"Following the Wigan game it doesn’t get much easier as we take on third place Warrington back at the TWS, so a big confidence boosting performance is a must on Friday.

"Keep the faith Saints fans! As frustrating as it is at the moment, the team will be stronger with your support. Nobody makes mistakes on purpose, and no player wants to go through this dip in form. There is only one way those guys can turn it around, and it has to start 8pm on Friday."