Newport’s David Haley Lifts Men’s A Squash Title In South Glamorgan Event

Newport’s David Haley won the men’s A event in the South Glamorgan Squash Championships.

More than 60 players entered the men’s and ladies event at Rhiwbina SRC and Haley, 25, came through a tough semi-final before lifting the trophy.

He defeated Dan Bergin 7-11, 6-11, 11-2, 11-7, 18-16 in then last four and progressed to the final where he took on holder Liam Eason, who had edged out Matthew Crowley 11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-1.

Eason, from the Rhondda, was unable to retain the title he won last year with Haley emerging the winner 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9.

Abby Hicks reached the semi-finals of the men’s C event and won the ladies A.

Richard Smith ended her run in the men’s C, coming out on top 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11, 11-7. Smith then lifted the trophy by beating Llanishen’s James King in the final.

Hicks, 25, defeated Sian Johnson in the ladies A final.

The Rhiwbina club has four courts and two of those are glass-backed with tiered viewing for 150 spectators.

There is a major squash event at Rhiwbina in May when  the men’s Welsh Open, a $10,000 professional tournament, is held over six days.

The 16-player draw will attract players from among the World’s leading 100 players. Peter Creed, a Rhiwbina member ranked number 68, and Joel Makin are the Welshmen who should be involved.

Makin, from Pembrokeshire, has achieved a personal high of 55 in the World rankings.

Rhiwbina’s Welsh Open runs from Tuesday, May 23 to Sunday, May 28.

Both Makin and Creed play for University of Birmingham Lions in the Premier Squash League and their next match is against leaders Bristol away at the Welshback Club on Tuesday, January 24.

While 22-year-old Makin enjoys his new World ranking of 55, Tesni Evans is celebrating her own success in the women’s list.

Welsh champion Evans, 24, is currently ranked at 20 in the World.

The Welsh Closed Championships are held at the National Sports Centre in Cardiff over three days from Friday, January 20.

Making is the holder, beating Emyr Evans in the final last season, while Cardiff-born Tesni Evans lifted the ladies crown by winning against Barry’s Deon Saffery.

South Glamorgan Championships, results of finals:

Men’s A: David Haley beat Liam Eason 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9.

Men’s B: David Godfrey beat Simon Williams 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8.

Men’s C: Richard Smith beat James King 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7.

Men’s D: Ray Thomas beat Richard Declair 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.

Ladies A: Abby Hicks beat Sian Johnson 11-6, 11-7, 11-8