Top seeds Peter Creed and Emyr Evans fought out a tenacious men’s final in the Karakal-sponsored Wales National Squash Championships.
It was an edgy, fiercely contested final in Cardiff with Creed recovering from a game and then 2-1 down to win the Welsh crown for a ninth time.
Caerphilly-born Creed, who plays out of Rhiwbina SRC in Cardiff, won 8-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, leaving 22-year-old Emyr Evans, from Cardiff and ranked 115 in the World, distraught.
The highly experienced Creed, aged 31 and at 62 in the World rankings, was delighted and emotional after his victory.
“This means everything,” he said after collecting his trophy. “I am a hugely patriotic Welshman. It was a big thing playing for Wales, the highlight of my career.
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“I dreamed of winning my first Wales national title and would love to win number 10 next year. I’m proud to win the title again.
“Coming into the final I felt anxious and nervous because the pressure was on. But that’s a good thing. Those nerves show how much it means to me.
“I have never shied away from playing in the Welsh nationals and have been here every year possible.”
Evans gave Creed a tough test in a match that was occasionally physical, while a few harsh words were said with both players pushed to their limits.
“Emyr and I are good friends off the court and that little bit of aggression on court is a good thing,” said Creed.
“Both of us wanted to win badly and that showed. Emyr should be proud of his performance in the final.
“He’s a young, up and coming player and if I can fend him off for another couple of years I’ll be happy.
“I am probably the elder statesman now. I’d love to win a 10th Welsh title.”
Birmingham-based Joel Makin, the World number 18 from Haverfordwest, was due to play in the Welsh Championships, but was forced to withdraw by injury.
Creed and Evans both play for Welsh Wizards in their Premier Squash League match against St George’s in Surrey on Tuesday, a crunch match between two teams who are in the battle to qualify for the play-off semi-finals.
Wizards signed a powerful team led by former World number three Marwan ElShorbagy and French ace Gregory Gaultier, who has won the World and British Open titles during his career.
ElShorbagy was unavailable for a lot of the PSL season, but made his Wizards debut against Tradition@RAC, while knee surgery put Gaultier out of contention.
“We felt Wizards had a team who could really go for it, but we have had a few injuries,” said Creed. “I’ve been chucked in at number one a few times and held my own, but we were missing key players at times.
“Now we are in a great position to maybe sneak a semi-final spot. Elliott (Morris Devred) is playing great, Tesni (Evans) has been on fire and Emyr is playing some terrific squash.
“Welsh Wizards have been a great addition for squash and you can see from the high attendances how much of a success it has been.”
Creed won the men’s A final, while Newport’s David Haley is the men’s B champion. Haley and Jayden Gough went toe-to-toe in a gruelling match which was halted by injury.
Gough, who plays at University of Nottingham SRC, pulled up in the final and could not continue at a time when the final was pretty evenly balanced.
Haley was 2-1 ahead and the fourth game was locked on 10-10 when Gough suffered his injury.
Ben Skidmore won the men’s C final, Joshua Audsley lifted the D trophy and Geraint Hodges was the men’s E champion.
Porthcawl Squash Club’s Audsley fought back in style from two games down during the D final against Gary Fry, winning 13-15, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5.
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Wales National Squash Championships, played at Sport Wales National Arena, Cardiff:
Women’s events:
Final: Tesni Evans (seeded 1) beat Deon Saffery (seeded 2) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6.
Third/fourth place play-off: Stacey Gooding beat Elin Harlow 11-6, 10-12, 12-10, 12-10.
Women’s C: Winner Olivia Stephens (1), runner-up Angharad Llewelyn (2), 3 Lucy Maybury, 4 Brenda Wills.
Men’s events:
Men’s A final: Peter Creed (1) beat Emyr Evans (2) 8-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3
3rd Owain Taylor (4), 4th Elliott Morris Devred (3).
Men’s B final: David Haley beat Jayden Gough 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 10-10 retired.
3rd Ricky Davies, 4th Lewis Poole.
Men’s C final: Ben Skidmore beat Matt Clements 7-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4.
3rd James Smith, 4th Kyle Price.
Men’s D final: Joshua Audsley beat Gary Fry 13-15, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5.
3rd Owen Heyes, 4th Scott Wright.
Men’s E final: Geraint Hodges beat Oliver Cann 11-2, 11-6, 11-5.
3rd Chris Baker, 4th Philip Maybury.
Premier Squash League
Welsh Wizards play group leaders Luxfords St George’s Hill away in a Premier Squash League match on Tuesday evening.
Teams (St George’s players first):
Mohamed El Shorbagy v Marwan El Shorbagy
Tom Richards v Edmon Lopez
Borja Golan v Peter Creed
Robbie Temple v Emyr Evans
Joelle King v Milou van der Heijden or Grace Gear