HAVERFORDWEST TENNIS CLUB NEWS: 

Laura Davies equalled Danny Spurr’s record of 25 Pembrokeshire County Open titles, cementing her status as one of the greatest players ever to grace the courts at The Parade.

All eyes had been on Davies as the tournament returned for its 76th year, and her first chance came in the ladies’ doubles final where she and Sarah Newman took on Ceri Coleman-Phillips and Michelle Morgan.
In a closely contested match, Davies and Newman showed class and composure to secure a 7-5 7-5 victory, their fifth title as a pair.

It also marked 39 years since Davies won her first title in the ladies’ doubles with her mother Diane, herself a notorious competitor.

Having equalled Spurr’s record, Davies had the chance to become the all-time leading title holder when she and Bryan Phillips, a first-time finalist, took on Coleman-Phillips and Jeremy Cross in the mixed doubles final.

But the quality of Cross, a British Masters Champion and Great Britain player, proved the difference as he and Coleman-Phillips eased to a 6-0 6-3 victory to claim their fifth title as a pair.






 

Cross marks return with singles’ success

Fan favourite Cross had made a welcome return to the tournament having missed the 2025 edition while on his global travels.

He breezed through the singles rounds to set up a repeat of the classic 2024 final against club coach Tom Richards.

And with it being the match everyone wanted to see, the two heavyweights did not disappoint as they produced tennis of the very top drawer, with Cross winning 6-2 6-3.

Cross had the chance to repeat the treble success he enjoyed in 2023 in the men’s doubles, this time playing with his 14-year-old son William.

They took on defending champions Richards and Nathan Jones in the final, and after losing the first set 6-0, battled hard before going down 7-5 in the second set.

 

Newman makes it four in a row

Sarah Newman retained her ladies’ singles crown for a fourth consecutive year, beating 2021 champion Coleman-Phillips 6-2 6-0.

In the plate competitions, a jubilant Jones defeated rising star Henry Peach 6-2 6-1 in the men’s final, while young talent was also on show in the ladies’ final, with Josie Hawke edging Anna May 6-3 6-4.

Suzanne Owen and Annaleene proved quite the partnership in beating Liz Reed and Pam Thomas 6-0 6-1 in the ladies’ doubles final, while Louis Warren and Andrew Brown were 6-1 6-2 winners over Keiran Owen and Guillaume Evans.

Warren enjoyed further success in the mixed plate final, as he and partner Julie Phillips beat tournament newcomers Tom Farren and Lisa Smith 6-4 6-2.

 

Referee Tom pleased with tournament

Tournament referee Tom Richards said: “The tournament was really well supported this year, both on and off the court.

“We had almost 60 entries and there was some top-quality tennis across the fortnight. The players had to deal with some challenging conditions, with court temperatures exceeding 30 degrees on some days.

“It was especially encouraging this year to see the youngsters do so well, with William Cross winning the junior player of the tournament award.

“Crowds were out in force every night enjoying the tennis and a big thank you to the volunteers, the umpires and Martine Watson and her team for providing a superb finals day tea.”