Mens Over 60’s – Home internationals – Cardiff 2025
Team:
Mike Logan, Gary Hales, Ian Fenner-Evans (capt.), Richard Murphy, Paul Murphy, Jon Evans
With the weather most un-Wales like (namely sunny with blue skies), so it was that Cardiff Squash Club was the venue for the 2025 O60’s home internationals. The club looked great with a range of team photos from over many decades.
Gary Hales, having played for Cardiff in his youth, when he had a full head of hair, donned his glasses and went in search of his youthful self. And there he was – easily recognisable despite the sepia tones! This seemed to inspire him for the weekend, and playing at 3 for the team, he was quick to engage Hales mode in his matches against Scotland and Ireland. Had he known he was room sharing with his Scottish opponent before his match, he may well have given him a few more points and not tormented him with his touch, lifts, angles and deft vollies. Rumour has it he slept with one eye open! His English opponent was that bit younger, and dare we say quicker, not allowing Gary to dictate or establish his pace. Known for making every effort to play every ball, so it was that Gary drew several ‘bonkers’ warnings from the referee for dangerous play. His look of innocence was that of a 6 year old with his hand caught in the cookie jar. 🙂 Needless to say, henceforth he will be Gary ‘dangerous’ Hales.
Mike Logan, playing at 5, had the unenviable task of leading the team off in the first match. Always difficult, always so much expectation. So it was that he chose to toy with the emotions of his teammates allowing his opponent leads in both the first two games. His drops displayed ‘a touch like a hammer’ (as Paul described it) and the sound of the tin rang loud. But when he gets a run of points, he’s like a hot knife through butter. Saving game balls he came back to win both games and then controlled the third to win against Scotland. Mike ‘hammer’ Logan then stepped on court on Saturday afternoon against his English opponent and proceeded to play his best squash. What a match and what an effort! The only hammer in evidence were his drives to the back of the court. It was close all the way with his opponent just finding that little extra in the fifth game. But a great weekend from Mike ‘hammer’ Logan.
Paul Murphy played at 5 against Ireland on Saturday morning. Once again a crucial match to give the Welsh team a good start…but it seems Paul had other plans racing to a 6-10 deficit. But wait! What’s that coming over the hill – is it a Murphy? Remarkably, one agonising point at a time, he brought the game back to a tie-break and then took the first 12-10. The second was Paul’s 11-7.
His teammates were more relaxed – they were smiling! Two up and in control.
It was a tease ☹️ The third game went the way of the first, saving several game balls and bringing the score back to a tie break. Only this time it was the Irishman that took it 12-10. The fourth disappeared in the blink of an eye 2-11, and we were heading to a fifth.
The team rushed down to speak to Paul, rallied around him, knew he could do it – he said he could do it too! A tough start to the game, but then Paul pulled away, consolidated his lead and won it 11-5 and the match 3-2. Paul ‘teaser’ Murphy had done it!!
This guy.. Eh!!
Murphy and Murphy – raising questions as to lineage and why they weren’t playing for Ireland. 😀
Jon ‘top spin’ Evans played at 4. Looking strong against Scotland he worked hard, moved well, and found himself in good positions to play his infamous top spin shots and keep his opponent guessing. An accomplished performance to win 3-0 against a good Scottish player. Against Ireland in the morning, Jon’s knees started to protest that this was a second match in short succession. The first went to a tie break, ebbed and flowed, and Jon took it 14-12. This inspired Jon for the second which he won comfortably 11-3. The third was tough and painful – his opponent giving him a blooded nose! But there is such a thing as ‘northern grit’ and Jon displayed bagfuls to take it (eventually) 15-13. What an effort. His match against England was a ‘knee’ too far as he faced a strong opponent, and he retired gracefully at the end of the second game.
Richard ‘the boast’ Murphy topped the Welsh order and was expecting tough games from all his opponents. He was not disappointed. His strongest and best performance was on the dance floor. 😂 Kidding – it was against Scotland’s Colin Grant. This was a match that did not disappoint. The only difference in the first game was a few uncharacteristic errors from Richard that allowed Colin to take it 9-11. The second saw Richard come out fighting, no errors, and the infamous ‘murph boast’ appeared, dragging his opponent right to the front of the court.
Both players picked up and retrieved shots throughout that looked like winners, both manoeuvring their opponent to all four corners. Both had game balls – both saved game balls – but in the end it was a couple of tins from his opponent that gave Richard the edge.
The spectators were captivated – this was serious business!! No quarter was given by either player, and Richard came through a tough battle to win the match 3-1.
A solid performance against Ireland saw Richard take the match 3-1. With two matches won, the final match against England was all to play for – his opponent none other than the British National Masters O60 Champion. This was a match of high quality from both players, but the Englishman’s consistent accuracy proved to be the difference and did not allow or give Richard many chances to impose his game. Three tough matches, and three great performances!
Ian Fenner-Evans, playing at 2 and always last on, had three good matches against great opponents. Scotland was a five setter with only a couple of points either way in each of the first four games. The fifth game continued to be a battle up to 6-6, but Ian then managed to find a few cross court drops that caught out his opponent, winning the game 11-6 and the match 3-2. Against Ireland the first game went to a tie break with Ian saving several game balls but taking it 13-11. The next two games were more straightforward and the match was won 3-0. The final match against England saw Ian face Alex Betts, winner of several of the English regional events. This was a tough match with rallies covering all four corners. Wales – England – Wales – England – and it was 2-2 in games. The fifth saw Ian go 3-0 up (something that Alex later admitted had him scared sh1tle55!!) but Alex pulled it back with a strong run of points. The rallies were long and tough – and then a let request from Ian, simply met with ‘more effort required’ from the referee. 😡 Alex extended his lead and came out a worthy winner.
Summary
What a weekend – what a team! It was a real privilege to be part of this team that gave everything in every match. The way the games were played, the support/coaching/ encouragement given to one another behind the glass, and in between games. The banter and the well deserved beers afterwards.
To finish in second place was a fantastic achievement for the team.
Our Congratulations to England who came first, and our thanks and congratulations to Scotland and Ireland for competitive matches and the games played in a fantastic spirit.
The evening event was excellent and it was good to see our English friends up dancing, although in this regard I am sure Wales won the dance floor! Special recognition to Colin Grant and Sue Strachan who showed some excellent moves!
Thank you to the referees and to Squash Wales for an overall excellent weekend.
Diolch yn fawr.
