SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE (WEEK 11 PREVIEW – 31st March)

Words by Damian Burgess, 31.3.2011

So the league season is nearly at an end in south Wales, in the first half Strings won the South Wales Premier League by quite some way, only losing two matches and putting 236 points on the board.

The second half is now nearly at an end, 4 matches remain and the league is tight, Strings are top on 157, Rhiwbina are second with 144, Cardiff and Newport then sits in 3^rd and 4^th. With 80 points to play for it could go down to the final week.

At the other end of the table Llanelli sit at the bottom with only 52 points and 2 match wins and newly promoted UWIC A are just in front with 71 points. Both teams will play a part in maybe deciding where the title goes as both play one of the top 2 teams in the coming weeks.

Tonight throws up a great fixture, Strings travel to Rhiwbina for a match that could have a BIG bearing on where the Premier League title goes. Strings with their 13-point lead have the upper hand but have to travel to Rhiwbina for the last fixture of March. Rhiwbina are in great form, winning the last 5 matches and only losing 1 match at home all season. The result the last time the two teams met was a resounding 4 – 1 win to Rhiwbina, 16 – 7 in points.

Tonight the team line-ups are stronger than the first meeting, Peter CREED will be playing Jethro BINNS at number 1, both players are in form and this could be a great match to watch. Peter is still playing on the PSA Tour and is the current Welsh Number 1; Jethro no longer plays many PSA Competitions but is on court every day with his coaching company SQUASH SKILLS. Could Jethro cause an upset?

The rest of the line ups are sketchy but the likes of Matthew O’Conner, Richard Murphy and Sam Fenwick for Rhiwbina and Andrew Neal, Dave Howe and Huw Griffiths for Strings we could be in for a great night of squash at Rhiwbina.

Other matches tonight are Llanelli v Newport, UWIC v Caldicot and St Mellons v Cardiff. LIVE updates will be on the Squash Wales Facebook page from the Rhiwbina match, feel free to post any scores you have from any of the other matches.

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Words From Damian Burgess Press Officer, Squash Wales

STARS COME OUT AT NEWPORT

Words by Damian Burgess 28.3.2011

On the weekend of the 1^st to 3^rd April players from all over Wales will travel to Newport Squash Club in South Wales for the Caffrey’s Newport Open 2011. One of the oldest and most prestigious events on the senior tour in Wales, top players will battle it out in a number of grades including Mens Over 35 and Over 45.

Top seed in the Men’s A is current National Champion and Welsh number 1 Peter Creed, Peter has won the Caffrey’s for the last two years, both times beating Greg Tippings in great hard fought finals. Number 2 seed for the event is former World number 3 and British Open Champion in 2000, David Evans.  David no longer plays on the tour but is still considered a top player Number 3 seed this year is Newport born Nic Birt; Nic faced Peter Creed in the Final of the National Championships and will be looking to get to another final in 2011. Greg Tippings, Club Coach at Newport, and Matthew Crowley, current Over35 Masters Champion, are also seeded in the A Grade. Also in the A draw on the weekend; from North Wales, Jordan Davies and another junior Jacob Minett of Newport.

Heading up the Women’s draw is current Welsh Women’s number 1 Deon Saffery. Deon has recently been in great form, winning her second WISPA event in January in the States and reaching the Quarter Finals of the British National Championships in February. Deon also recently made it to the semi-final of the BSPA Wimbledon Cup in London, losing to eventual winner Dominique Lloyd-Walter. Number 2 seed in the Women’s Caffrey’s event this year is Tesni Evans from North Wales, Tesni is the current Women’s Welsh National Champion which she won in January as well as recently winning the Welsh Junior Open and reaching the final of the German Junior Open.  Also in the draw from North Wales is Hannah Davies and from Newport Squash Club Abby Hicks; both will be looking to cause an upset.

So a great standard of squash in the top grades and there is plenty of great squash in the other grades, Kane Newall, Harry Booth and Joel Makin head up the B Grade and in the Over 35's Jason Burgon and Paul Johnson look to make impressions in the over age group and in the Over 45 event Welsh National Over 45 Champion Richard Murphy looks to make another final and win his second Over-Age title of 2011.

Play starts on Friday at Newport Squash Club, anyone is welcome to come and see some great squash and support your club-mates, there is always a great atmosphere at Newport and this year should be no different.

Come and SUPPORT SQUASH!

Photos will be available online at https://picasaweb.google.com/orangesquash2010

Videos from the event will be available at http://www.youtube.com/WELSHSQUASH

Words From Damian Burgess Press Officer, Squash Wales

www.squashwales.co.uk

KEMPSELL AND EVANS WIN IN WALES

Words by Damian Burgess 20.3.2011

Douglas Kempsell of Scotland and Tesni Evans of Wales won the Boys Under 19 and Girls Under 19 titles respectively in the Welsh Junior Open 2011 at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff on the weekend of the 18^th to 20^th March with 185 players from all over the World coming to Cardiff for 60 hours of squash at two venues on 10 courts.

In the Girls Under 19 group Tesni Evans won all of her matches to again win the title of Welsh Junior Open Champion. Tesni won last year and this years win was her 10^th European title and her 5^th Welsh Junior Open title.Tesni said after winning “A great feeling to win again here at the Welsh Junior Open, I will miss playing it I but look forward to playing on the senior tour” It was Tesni’s last Welsh Junior Open as she will turn 19 in October and leave the Junior European Circuit. We would all like to thank Tesni for her hard work as a junior and wish her good luck for both the remainder of her Junior career and for the future on the WISPA Tour.

Tesni beat both her nearest rivals 3 – 0. Rebecca Quiney of England came runner up after first beating Hannah Davies of Wales 3 – 2, 11/8 in the fifth.

In the Boys Under 19 group two Scots topped the seedings; Greg Lobban number 1 seed and Douglas Kempsell number 2 seed. Douglas beat two Welshmen on his way to the final; Nyall Driscoll in a tight quarter final 3 – 2 and Sam Fenwick 3 – 1 in the Semi Final. Kempsell came out on top against fellow Scot Greg Lobban in the final winning 3 – 2 after being 2 – 0 down, a great performance from both players who had tough games earlier on the weekend. After the match Douglas said “Thank you all for a great weekend, it feels great to win here in Wales for the first time, thank you to all the Scotland team for their support and thank you to Greg on a great Final” In the 3/4 playoff Sam Fenwick put his Semi Final loss behind him to beat David Jones of Scotland 3 – 1 and finish above his seeding of 5/8.

The other age groups were also packed with great matches and a great spirit of squash on the courts, there were two venues used for the Competition but that didn’t take away from the atmosphere. Players were playing for positions in every age group, over 600 matches of squash in 3 days.

In the Under 17 Boys last years Under 15 runner up and number 2 seed this year Daniel Poleshchuck of Israel made it to the final and looked in great form. Also in great form was Saad Shahid of Pakistan who beat number 1 seed Lyell Fuller in the semi final 3-2 and 12/10 in the fifth. Daniel Poleschuck came out the winner in the final, again some great squash in a thrilling final, Daniel winning 3 – 2, 11/9 in the fifth. “WOW, a great final. Im glad I won this year after losing in the final last year, it was close again this year and too close in the fifth after having 5 match balls. A great competition and I can’t wait to be back next year, hopefully another final, thank you” Daniel said.

The Girls Under 17 threw up some surprises, Anna Kimberley who was not seeded for the event beat the 3/4 seed Breanne Flynn of Ireland in the first round then 5/8 seed Jenny Haley of Wales in the Quarter Final. In the Semi Final Anna was facing the number 1 seed Hannah Williams of England. Anna won this match 3 – 0; she had not dropped a game all the way to the final. Waiting in the Final was number 2 seed Fiona Murphy who was returning to competitive squash after a short break due to injury and illness. Fiona was pleased to make the final after her spell away. Fiona pushed Anna all the way in the final and the match was decided in the end by a tie breaker in the fifth, Anna coming out on top 3 – 2, 12/10 in the final game.

The Boys Under 15 Final was an all-Irish affair with top seeds David Ryan and Michael Craig making it to the final. Michael Craig the number 2 became champion after beating fellow countryman and number 1 seed David 3 – 1, a great final and a great standard of squash throughout the grade.

There was an all Welsh final in the Girls Under 15. Elin Harlow was seeded 2 for the event and made the final without dropping a game. Lowri Roberts was seeded 3/4 but beat the number 1 seed Kirsty Lobban in the Semi Final to set up the all Welsh Final. Lowri had beaten Elin in the 3^rd/4^th playoff in the North Wales Open in February but Elin came out on top this time winning 3 – 1, this is Elins second European Title in as many months after winning the French Junior Open in February.

In the Girls Under 13 there was another all Welsh Final between Tyra Beattie and Madison Khan with Tyra winning 3 – 2 11/9 in the fifth game. Ciara Richards of Wales, who beat the number 1 seed Stephanie Ryan in the Quarter Final, came fourth in the event.

The Boys Under 13 was contested between Ido Burstein of Israel and Elliot Morris-Devred of Wales, Elliot had already beaten the number 2 seed Oisin Dunne in the second round. Ido was too strong for Elliot in the final and won 3 – 1, some fantastic rallies in the final and a great effort from both players. Dan Christopher of Wales came fourth in the event.

We also ran an Under 11 competition at this event. In the Girls event Kate Workman and Carys Woodward had a great final, Kate winning 3 – 0 12/10 12/10 11/5. Kate was very pleased with her win and especially happy with thenew strings on her racket. In the Boys Under 11 Roko Voncina of Croatia took the spoils beating Srikar Mummidi in the Final.

  

What a great competition, all the parents, players, coaches and spectators said how much they enjoyed the weekend and how well they thought the competition was run, a big thank you to all the competition staff from all who were involved.

Well played to all the Juniors who took part, all the parents who attended, the coaches, all the volunteers who helped on the weekend, the referees and all the staff, Mike Workman, Chris Rees, Sue Evans, Shelly Robinson, Damian Burgess, Matthew O’Connor, Gareth Jones, Karen Workman and the Minibus drivers Doug King and Denis Workman. Thank you also to the University of Cardiff and the Sport Wales National Centre and all of their staff and of course a big thank you to the sponsors of the Competition whose continued support is why we can run such a great competition every year. We look forward to seeing you all next year.

Words by Damian Burgess, Press Officer Squash Wales

TOP CLASS SQUASH AT WELSH JUNIOR OPEN

Words by Damian Burgess 16.3.2011

On the weekend of the 18^th – 20^th March 2011 Junior squash players from all over the world will travel to Cardiff, Wales for the Welsh Junior Open European Grand Prix 2011. The annual event, one of the biggest junior events on the Welsh calendar will start Friday 18^th March, matches begin at 9am and will carry on until Sunday 20^th when the winner will be crowned.

The event will take place at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens and also at the satellite venue of Cardiff University Sport Club on Senghennydd Road near Park Place. 4 courts at the SWNC and 6 courts at the University will be used all weekend fitting in over 500 matches of squash.

Over 190 Juniors from all over the world will come to Cardiff for the weekend and the standard of squash should be at it’s best, a number of Welsh players are looking for success in the event.

Hannah Davies and Tesni Evans will be flying the Welsh flag in the girls Under 19 event and Sam Huxtable and Sam Fenwick in the boys Under 19 event. There are also other age groups including Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 for Juniors to play for. Also Squash Wales this year are putting on an Under 11 competition, not part of the European Grand Prix but great for our youngest juniors to experience a major event first hand.

Anyone is welcome to come and watch and support the squash at either venue, come and watch some stars of the future. Previous winners include the 2009 and 2010 winner Aditya Jagtab and runner up of last year Marwan El Shobagy, two players who are now on the PSA World Rankings. Our very own Tesni Evans was the winner of last years Girls Under 19 event, Tesni is now ranked 123 in the March WISPA Rankings and climbing every month.

We hope to see you in Cardiff this weekend, hopefully the Rugby will go our way on the Saturday in France and hopefully a Welsh winner or two on the Sunday in Cardiff. Come and SUPPORT SQUASH!!

Words by Damian Burgess, Press Officer Squash Wales

GIRLS CLINCH INTER COUNTY TITLE

Words by Julie Clode 15.3.2011

On Sunday 13^th March, I accompanied the Girls U15 squad to the Inter County Trophy final that was held at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham.

After a good trip down, we all met up at the centre and the girls got warmed up before the match start time of 11:00am. Our team consisted of:

1.     Sophie Alderman

2.     Lauren Williams

3.     Georgia Jones

4.     Ciara Richards

5.     Hannah Swain

Our team opposition for the day included, Cheshire, Lancashire and Kent.

Our first match was against Cheshire. First on court were Georgia Jones vs Hannah McColgan and Hannah Swain vs Beth Fogaity. Both girls got off to a great start with Georgia winning 3:0, 11/2, 11/0, 11/5 and Hannah also 3:0, 11/4, 11/0, 11/3.

Next on court were Ciara Richards vs Lola Abbas and Sophie Alderman vs Hayley Openshaw-Blower. Again both girls had 3:0 wins, Ciara winning 14/12, 11/4, 11/1 and Sophie 11/3, 11/7, 11/9. So with no games dropped so far it was up to Lauren to complete the trend. She didn’t disappoint winning convincingly 3:0, 11/2, 11/1, 11/3 against Cheshire’s Kate Fairfield.

With Cheshire’s matches complete, time for a quick break before our next opposition Lancashire, who unfortunately only had four players, so Hannah received a walkover.

Georgia played Amie Comer and had another 3:0 win, 11/3, 11/1, 11/4 and Ciara played Lottie Wood and proved far too strong winning 3/0, 11/1, 11/2, 11/0.

Now already 3:0 up it was Lauren and Sophie’s turn. Lauren played Ruby Wood winning comfortably 11/5, 11/2, 11/4. Sophie played Chloe Harrison and this proved to be the closest game of the tournament and was a very exciting game, with Sophie narrowly missing out on the first two games, 9/11, 10/12. We realized it was going to be a tough ask to pull it back, but with some fantastic drop shots and volleys, Sophie eventually levelled the match at 2:2. The final game was a real nail biter going back and for with Chloe finally winning 8/11. Despite losing 2/3, all credit must be given to Sophie for digging deep and battling until the end.

Our final match was against Kent, and after a quick lunch the girls were soon back on court. Hannah and Georgia were first on, Hannah to play Rosie Cooper and Georgia, Darcie Beddoes. Georgia finished her matches with another 3/0 win, winning comfortably 11/3, 11/3, 11/3. Hannah’s match proved a little more difficult with Hannah losing the first game 9/11. However she soon turned the game around, playing some lovely squash and finally triumphed 3/1, 9/11, 11/7, 11/7, 11/9.

Next on court were Ciara to play Anna Davies and Sophie to play the very talented Georgia Kennedy. Sophie again put up a good fight playing some excellent Squash, but eventually lost 0/3, 4/11, 7/11, 7/11. Ciara, despite playing someone with a lot more strength than her own, placed the ball beautifully again playing some exciting squash and finally won the match 3/1, 11/8, 11/9, 7/11, 11/4. The final match of the day was between Lauren and Amelia Henley another talented player. Lauren fought hard with some excellent rallies, but finally lost 0/3, 4/11, 6/11, 7/11.

With all matches completed and a 3/2 win over Kent, this meant S.E Wales were the overall winners.

Congratulations to all the girls on some outstanding performances and for their excellent team spirit and attitude. Well-done girls!!

Thanks again to all the parents for their continued support.

Words by Julie Clode, Squash Wales

POSITIVE POINTS, POSITIVE PLAY ON TOUR (PRO UPDATE MARCH 2011)

Words by Damian Burgess 8.3.2011

Here is a brief report on how our Welsh pro’s are doing on the professional Tour, we currently have Peter Creed playing full time on the men’s PSA Tour as well as BSPA appearances from Will John and David Haley, on the Women’s WISPA Tour we have Deon Saffery and Tesni Evans.

PETER CREED (March PSA Ranking 122)

After a great performance in his match in the British National Championships against Chris Simpson Peter was in good form. Peter played out in Turkey in February in the first PSA Tour Competition in the country the Avrupa Konutlari International, Peter was not seeded for the event and was given a tough draw against number 2 seed Joe Lee of England. Peter was 1 – 0 down before turning it around to go 2 – 1 in front, it was also 8 – 8 in the fourth and some tight squash was played by both players. Peter eventually lost the fourth 11 – 8 and the match went to a fifth and final game, both players again played some great squash, Peter eventually had match ball at 10 – 8 but some patient yet attacking play from Joe Lee saved him the match balls. 10 – 10 and over an hour on court, player to win by two points. Joe Lee eventually won 12 – 10 but Peter gave him a scare in a great effort.

Peter is next in action in the Wimbledon Cup, a BSPA event in London, England from March 25^th – 29^th, Good Luck to Peter.

TESNI EVANS (March WISPA Ranking 123)

Tesni is still 18 and so is competing in Junior competitions as well as senior tour competitions, in mid February Tesni was in France for the French Junior Open in Lille; she was back in France in March this time for the $5K WISPA Event near Nantes. Tesni had to qualify for the event and would have to play two matches on the same day to make the first round. Tesni played Belen Etchourchery of Argentina in the first qualifying match winning 3 – 0, then Chloe Mesic of France in her second; also winning that match 3 – 0. Tesni was now in the first round and was unlucky to draw number 1 seed and World number 56 Lauren Selby, Tesni would have to recover from her two matches to be ready for the early afternoon match the following day.

Tesni came out of the blocks against Lauren winning the first two games, then Lauren fought back using her experience to level at 2 – 2, a tight fifth game and Tesni had rattled Lauren. Lauren was questioning decisions and pick ups, Tesni blocked this out well and concentrated on the squash in hand, eventually winning the game 12 – 10 and the match 3 – 2. A great result, Tesni then had the task of trying to beat the number 7 seed Siyoli Waters of South Affrica in the second round, Tesni lost 3 – 0, 8 – 11, 9 – 11, 9 – 11 in a tight match. Tesni said after the event “I was more than pleased with how i played in the Vendee Open. Played two qualifying games then had Lauren Selby, tight fifth game, edgy and I just dug it out 12-10 great game! Then lost 3-0 in quarters, she was strong and played great shots and crucial times at end of each game.”

Tesni now has the Welsh Junior Open in Cardiff mid March and then the German Junior Open at the end of March, good luck to Tesni.

DEON SAFFERY (March WISPA Ranking 85)

After Deon’s success in the US and the Delaware Open and reaching the Quarter Finals of the British National Championships in Manchester in February she has climbed over 20 places to World number 85, Deon is now preparing for the Wimbledon Cup in London England.

Also competing in the Wimbledon Cup at the end of March is Peter Creed and David Haley, we wish them all the best, keep checking the Squash Wales facebook page for updates on how they get on. Good luck to all the players.

Words by Damian Burgess, Press Officer Squash Wales

Check out the gallery for pictures of the players on Tour https://picasaweb.google.com/orangesquash2010 

WEST WALES JUNIOR SQUASH LEAGUES 20010-2011

Words by Hugh Griffiths 7.3.2011

AND THE WINNERS ARE……………………………

This season 8 teams played in the junior squash league. The teams were representative of 5 squash clubs ranging from Carmarthen in the west to Neath in the East. Over 50 players competed, some experiencing the cutthroat world of competitive play for the first time.

Llanelli A emerged as the pace setters before the last remaining match was played but were not guaranteed the title should they falter at the final hurdle against the third placed team Carmarthen Leisure Centre. Swansea Red team were also in the mix lying second place just 7 points behind the leaders.

All eyes were on the Swansea Red team who with a clean sweep could overhaul Llanelli. The Red’s were playing their arch rivals the Blues(both Swansea) to compound matters the red no. 1 Alex Ley pulled out after receiving a rugby injury, but they had an able replacement in Lewis Potter who was now playing his twin Joe. Lewis was the victor 3 -0 and with reds no 2 Elliot Webber winning 3-1 in a closely contested match with Tom Wadling, they looked well placed to run out comfortable winners, however the previously faultless Reds nos 3 and 4 Kathryn Field and Ioan Webber, both previously unbeaten inexplicably lost to the Blues’ Jack Martin and Nicola Field…………….leaving both teams to share the spoils in a 7-7 draw, and the Reds to reflect on what may have been.

 
Attention was now drawn to Llanelli A versus Carmarthen . The Llanelli team bristling with power and pace fielding the Weeds boys, Sam and Josh and the Rowlands Eleri and Iwan were pitted against the less experienced but very promising Carmarthen outfit of Shrika Mumamdi, Ceri Burgess, Robin Benbow and Sam Fugler.
 

A gallant performance from Carmarthen ’s Shrika Mumamdi and Ceri Burgiss fell short troubling the Llanelli brothers Sam and Josh Weeds’ power and guile. But this setback seemed to galvanise the rest of the Carmarthen players Robin Benbow going on to take Eleri 3-0, in a tense affair Iwan closed out the remaining match 3-1 to give Llanelli ‘A’ the title.

The final positions were:

Llanelli A	72
Swansea Red	65
Carmarthen	55
Llanelli B	49
Swansea Blue	48
Llanelli L C	46
Swansea Black	30
Neath	8

Many thanks to all the participants and managers/coaches/parents and squash wales who contributed to make the event successful, competitive and enjoyable.

The next cycle will start in March and may include Narberth and Porthcawl.......

Watch this space.
 

Words by Hugh Griffiths, Squash Wales