Putting aside whether I like the filtered style, what you have done has been done very well so good work Steve. I do actually quite like this effect and it would look good mounted for sure.
Can't say the half-pot over worried me really. It adds to the feel of 'there's more outside the frame' which can be effective in allowing the viewer's mind to expand the picture beyod its own borders.
Let us know what the judge thought of it. As a judge myself though I can add the comment: 'what do they know anyway?'
Cheers,
Rob