Odds-defying punter whacks £30k on Wales to beat Australia
Published:Not content with beating odds of 3,800/1, a roofer from Pontypridd who scooped £38,970 from a £10 football bet is about to place £30k of his windfall on the Welsh rugby team, to beat Australia in the final autumn international in Cardiff.
Going into the Monday night game between West Brom and Aston Villa, Welsh roofing contractor Steve Richards, 56, has already correctly predicted 11 results, but needed a draw in the midlands derby for the big win.
Astonishingly, Richards then fell asleep after a long day at work with the score at 2-0 to West Brom, only to be woken up by excited text messages from friends congratulating him on his odds-defying triumph.
Of course, Villa had managed to peg it back to 2-2. However, sensing his luck is still in and rather than rest on his laurels, Richards is placing £30k of his winnings on Wales to beat Australia this weekend at odds of 5/6.
Considering Wales have lost the last eight Tests against Australia this is certainly an audacious bet, though with seven of the Lions side which defeated the Wallabies this summer available for coach Warren Gatland to select from, there is widespread optimism that’s about to change.
Steve explained the reason behind the bet: “I can’t see them losing. I started with a tenner and when your luck is in you should make the most of it. The return of Alex Cuthbert is a huge plus for Wales and after all I’m extremely confident.”
Should Wales win as he hopes, Richards claims this will be the end of his rollercoaster ride: “I won’t go for any more crazy bets, I’ll put the money in the bank and we will leave it there.”
Alex Dononhue of Ladbrokes said: “We’ve never before seen a display of such confidence. They say fortune favours the brave so we’re fully expecting to pay up when Wales win in Cardiff as expected.”
“We wish Mr Richards the very best of luck. If he hits us twice in the space of a week we’ll toast the Welsh wizard.”
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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