Rhiwbina’s Richard Murphy Wins Welsh Masters Title On Home Courts

Top seed Richard Murphy has won the crowned Welsh Masters Championships men’s over-50 squash title for a second time.

He won the title on a glass-back court at his home club, Rhiwbina SRC.

Top seed Murphy played former Cardiff Club coach Gary Hales in the final.

Number two seed Hales won a fiercely contested semi-final against James Walters 8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4 to earn his place in the final.

It was Murphy who won the Steve Baber Trophy, emerging the winner in straight games.

There were nine age groups in the men’s section, ranging from over-35 to over-75.

The women players were split into two groups with Helen Barnard taking the over-30/40/45 title, while Sian Johnson defeated Lynne Davies at over-55 level.

Number one seed Paul Johnson had to work hard for his place in the men’s over-40 final. He was on court for five sets in the semi-final against David Hayvice, winning 11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6.

Johnson then took on Paul Barrell in the final and won 11-8, 11-3, 11-3.

All matches were at Rhiwbina SRC with four courts, including two glass-backed with tiered viewing for 150 spectators.

Cardiff-Based Rhiwbina is the venue for a Professional Squash Association 10,000 dollar event during May. The club is working with Wales Squash and the PSA to organise the event.

World class players will be involved in the tournament and they could include Welsh champions Peter Creed, who plays out of Rhiwbina SRC, and Cardiff-born Tesni Evans, who is ranked at 21 in the World and has won the 2017 Welsh women’s title.

Welsh Masters Championships

Finals only – Men’s

Over-35: Alexis Cole beat Matthew O’Connor 12-10, 11-4, 11-8.

Over-40: Paul Johnson beat Paul Barrell 11-8, 11-3, 11-3.

Over-45: John Ashton beat Nick Dyer 7-11, 14-12, 11-4, 12-10.

Over-50: Richard Murphy beat Gary Hales 11-4, 11-9, 11-5.

Over-55: Jon Evans beat Tony Smith 11-2, 11-4, 11-2.

Over-60: Adrian Alderton beat David Wright 13-15, 16-14, 15-5, 15-11.

Over-65: Clive Morgan beat Tony Bevan 15-12, 15-4, 15-10.

Over-70: Leighton Jenkins 9 points, beat Peter Kerry, 6 points (round robin format).

Over-75: Brian Phillips beat Eric Robinson (round robin format).

Women’s

Over 30/40/45: Helen Barnard 12 puts, Rachel Cooper 9 puts (round robin format).

Over-55: Sian Johnson beat Lynne Davies 15-11, 15-5, 9-15, 15-10.