Welsh players are on the charge in the World squash rankings.
Joel Makin, from Pembrokeshire, is at his highest position, number 33, while Cardiff’s Emyr Evans, a 21-year-old who plays for Welsh Wizards in the Premier League, has jumped to a best ever 120 placing and is the third highest Welshman.
Rhiwbina’s Peter Creed stands between Makin and Evans at 53 in the October list.
It has been an outstanding year for squash in Wales with Tesni Evans, Emyr’s sister, becoming British champion, winning Commonwealth Games bronze and establishing herself at number 12 in the women’s rankings.
Less than 40 tickets remaining for the next two home matches for the #WelshWizards.. be quick before you're tool late!!!
BOOK NOW – https://t.co/7iRRXAlnus pic.twitter.com/bnyjcDuLlI
— Welsh Wizards PSL (@welsh_wizards) October 1, 2018
The newly-formed Wizards opened their first PSL season with a 3-2 win against London-based Coolhurst even though World number three Marwan ElShorbagy had to withdraw because of a family illness in Egypt.
Siblings Emyr and Tesni both won their matches along with Cardiff Squash Club’s Elliott Morris Devred, who lives in Barry.
Devred was under pressure when he was called up to play for Wizards at the last minute when ElShorbagy was forced to withdraw from the team, but he underlined his massive potential.
Nicky Mulvey, ranked more than 150 places above Devred in the World, was his opponent, but the Wizards’ man powered to a 12-10, 11-5 victory.
Emyr was overjoyed at the Wizards team win, tweeting: “Earned a 3-2 win on the opening night of PSL. Atmosphere was amazing and nothing better than playing in front of a home crowd! On to the next one Wizards.”
The Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff was sold out for the opening match and another big crowd for Chichester’s visit is already assured. There are less than 40 tickets left for their next two home fixtures.
Wizards tickets BOOK NOW – http://buff.ly/2BpOBW7
World rankings for Welsh players, men: 33 Joel Makin; 53 Peter Creed; 120 Emyr Evans; equal-235 David Haley; 246 Owain Taylor; equal-326 Elliott Morris Devred; equal-383 Sam Fenwick; equal-581 Barry Woodall.
Women: 12 Tesni Evans; 102 Ali Hemingway; 158 Lowri Roberts; equal-195 Nia Davies; 200 Jenny Haley; equal-218 Ciara Richards; equal-232 Abby Hicks; equal-273 Meg Thomas.
The next PSL test for Wizards is against RAC@Tradition away on Tuesday, October 23, while they take on Chichester at home on Tuesday, November 6.
The leading players in their team are ElShorbagy and French ace Gregory Gaultier, who is number seven in the World. A video clip of Gaultier in World class action is below.
PSL first night results:
North Division: Warwick/Kenilworth 3, Birmingham 2 (10-5); Pontefract 4, Bristol 1 (11-3); Newcastle 0, Nottingham 13.
South Division: Welsh Wizards 3, Coolhurst 2 (9-4); St George’s 3, RAC 2 (10-7).
Friday fixture: Bexley 4, Chichester 1.
Fixtures:
October
Friday 19: Coolhurst v Bexley.
Tuesday 23: Bristol v Warwick/Kenilworth, RAC@Tradition v Welsh Wizards, Nottingham v Pontefract, Chichester v St George’s, Birmingham v Newcastle.
https://twitter.com/welsh_wizards/status/1047011772220227584
November
Tuesday 6: Warwick/Kenilworth v Nottingham, Welsh Wizards v Chichester, Bristol v Birmingham, RAC v Coolhurst, Pontefract v Newcastle, St George’s v Bexley.
Tuesday 27: Warwick/Kenilworth v Pontefract, Welsh Wizards v St George’s, RAC v Bexley, Birmingham v Nottingham.
Friday 30: Bristol v Newcastle, Coolhurst v Chichester.
December
Tuesday 4: Newcastle v Warwick/Kenilworth, Nottingham v Bristol, Chichester v RAC, Pontefract v Birmingham, St George’s v Coolhurst.
Friday 7: Bexley v Welsh Wizards.
Second Half fixtures reversed, dates to be confirmed.