GERWYN Davies sometimes finds it hard to believe that
Maesteg Squash Club, a four-court members venue in the Welsh Valleys,
continues to boast one of the most powerful squash teams in the world.
Davies, 63, has worked closely with Maesteg members and sponsors Dun-raven
Windows to build a team to win the British Super League title for the third
time in the last four seasons.
The backing of Dunraven Windows is crucial to the whole project, but,
equally, Maesteg could not have achieved their remarkable success over eight
seasons without major input from the club's members.
Their team this season is led by World Open champion David Palmer, who
defeated Maesteg team-mate John White in the final only last month.
White, indeed, held two match balls at one stage, but could not stop
Australian Palmer, the world number three, roaring back to win 15-11 in the
fifth after going two games down.
Those two lead the Maesteg title challenge and there is no doubt the Welsh
club will be top contenders for championship glory again.
They won the title in successive seasons before missing out as Halifax
finished top in 2002, while they have lifted the cup in each of the first
three years of the 21st century.
"It's unbelievable when you look at what we have achieved at Maesteg Squash
Club," said Davies. "I have to pinch myself sometimes.
"No one person could have achieved the success which has come our way. It's
a big effort involving so many people including, of course, the Maesteg club
members who have put their heart and soul into this and the players."
There is little doubt that Palmer, British Open and World Open champion,
could earn bigger money elsewhere. It's a big effort for the Australian to
fly in from his base in Belgium for matches, but he loves playing for
Maesteg.
"I've got to know so many people in the town and they welcomed me with
incredible warmth," said Palmer. "I couldn't really think of playing for
another team."
Former Maesteg captain Craig van der Wath is now living in South Africa, but
he has signed for Maesteg and is determined to fly in for at least one
appearance this season.
Bargoed-born Davies, who played Welsh league squash for Llanelli in younger
days, is the only person who has been involved in Super League squash in one
capacity or another since it started in 1984.
That includes nine seasons as manager of Manchester, one with Ling-field and
eight with the Welsh club which has been Dunraven Windows Maesteg for a
number of years now.
"When we first joined the League it was Leekes Welsh Wizards who were the
reigning champions and they had an outstanding team," said Davies. "But we
beat them home and away plus putting them out of the cup. We
haven't looked back since then.
"We have a powerful team again for 2003 and we are going to be a force
again, no doubt about that."
Maesteg's Cup winners in 2002
Mon 6th Fixtures:
Halifax 2-1 Ipswich
Winchester 2-1 v Maesteg
