Top seed Masters powers through
By RICHARD MURPHY
Peter Creed joined a trio of young Englishmen in the semi-finals of the Welsh Open in Cardiff after beating Ammar Altamimi of Kuwait.
It was another superb night of quality squash, with top seed Josh Masters attacking freely and slotting nicks seemingly at will.
He meets George Parker, the bad boy of squash who is trying to keep the lid on his emotions as he makes a comeback after a lengthy ban.
Creed meets the stylish Patrick Rooney, who won the longest match of the night against Spain’s Carlos Cornes.
1. Joshua Masters (ENG) vs. Ahsan Ayaz 3-0 (33m)
Josh played some solid squash throughout dictating play to his young Pakistan opponent who had enjoyed a good run to the quarter finals. Josh’s attacking style meant that as soon as a ball become free he duly dispatched it into the nick. Onto the semi finals for Josh.
2. George Parker (ENG) vs. Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 3-1 (44m)
After a slow-ish start, George found his aggressive rhythm and dominated play in a 44 minute encouncter. Mahesh played solidly and despite endless rallies,George’s impressive form continued. It will be a great test tomorrow night against his England counter part, Josh Masters.
3. Patrick Rooney (ENG) vs Carlos Cornes (SPA) 3-2 (55m)
In the longest match of the night, young England international Rooney outlasted his Spanish opponent in five games. Carlos had to take an injury time out in the fourth game, but recovered to take it 11-9, to push the match into a decider. Patrick dominated the final game, to progress to the semi finals.
4. Peter Creed (WAL) vs Ammar Atlamimi (KUW)
In the final match of the evening along with a packed crowd; witnessed a great contrasting style of squash match. Ammar, full of attacking intension, hit nicks from every angles and leveled the game at 1-1. However, Peter displayed some great width and length as well as some tremendous retrieving capabilities and progressed through to the semi finals, backed by a hugely supportive crowd.
PSA M10 Rhiwbina PSA Welsh Open 2017, Rhiwbina Recreation Club, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales.
Semi-finals:
[1] Joshua Masters (ENG) v [Q] George Parker (ENG)
[2] Peter Creed (WAL) v [8] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Joshua Masters (ENG) bt Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (33m)
[Q] George Parker (ENG) bt [4] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 (44m)
[8] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [3] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) 9-11, 11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 (55m)
[2] Peter Creed (WAL) bt Ammar Altamimi (KUW) 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 (53m)
Pictures courtesy of Rhiwbina Squash