It gives me immense pride to reflect on what was an outstanding campaign for the Wales Over 40s squad at this year’s Masters Squash Championship in Galway, Ireland.
Our tournament began on Friday afternoon with a tough opening fixture against England. From the first ball, the intensity was clear, and the team rose to the occasion brilliantly. With a series of fiercely contested matches, producing high-quality squash and showing we could compete with one of the strongest sides in the field.
Up first to fly the Welsh flag was no.5 string Terry Turner winning his 1st Welsh cap 👏 who took on an experienced Alex Preston losing a hard fought 0-3
No.3 string Damien Burgess took to the court next against a physical Dale Diment also losing a close 1-3 match losing the 4th on a tie break that if it went to a 5th game im pretty confident he would have pulled through.
No.1 string Jamie Ttophi was up next who took on the current British champion Phil Rushworth losing a close 1-3 battle that could have gone either way at stages of the match.
No.4 string Eirian Crabbe also winning his 1st Welsh cap 👏 was on first and it didnt take him long to find his feet at international level losing against a tricky Jason Varrie 0-3
Last up was myself at no.2 string I gave it my all at no.2 against a solid Paul Mcdonald also losing tight battle 1-3
Saturday morning saw us take on Ireland, where another tremendous team performance unfolded. A standout display came from Adam Evans, who dominated his match from the very first point. His trademark holds and deception kept his opponent under constant pressure, delivering a commanding performance that set the tone for the tie and showcased his class on court.
Later that afternoon, we faced Scotland, and the team delivered a fantastic result to secure a well-earned victory. Leading the charge was Terry Turner, who clinched first blood with an immense 3–2 win at string five. His battling performance set the standard for the rest of the team, inspiring confidence and momentum that carried through the order as we went on to defeat a strong Scottish side.
Throughout the tournament, we not only secured a memorable win over Scotland but also gave both Ireland and England a real run for their money. Every match was played with determination, discipline, and pride, with some incredible squash on display across the weekend.
What stood out just as much as the performances on court was the spirit within the squad. The camaraderie, support, and collective belief were evident throughout, making it a privilege to lead such a committed and passionate group of players.
On a personal note, I couldn’t be more proud to have captained this team. Every player gave their all for Wales, and it was an honour to lead them into battle.
We leave Galway with our heads held high, having proven that Wales is a force to be reckoned with in Masters squash.
Steve Colarusso
Captain – Wales O40s Squash Team
