MERTHYR WEST END OPEN

RTB Ebbw Vale’s Jonathan Tomlinson became only the second person to win back-to-back Worthington Merthyr West End Open titles, emulating Ely Valley’s Phil Robins’ feat in 2012 and 2013, when he defeated Ferndale’s junior international, Luke Davies, 21-19 in the final.

The 34-year-old, who won both the Welsh singles and West End Open in 2015, justified his selec- tion as Wales’ singles representative in the World Championships in New Zealand in November and December with his win, during which he also matched Rhondda legends John E Thomas and Mike Prosser with a third title win.

The popular CNC operator at Zodiac Aerospace in Cwmbran had to overcome stiff opposition on his way to regaining the title, and taking the £2,500 first prize, edging his club mate and fellow outdoor international Owain Dando in the semi-final 21-20, avenging his defeat in this year’s Monmouthshire county final.

He also had routine wins in the last-16 and quarter-final against Gorseinon’s Welsh international Mark Watkins and Kidwelly’s Mark Driscoll respectively but in the round previous to that had to save game and endure an umpire’s measure on the last end in a titanic struggle with local hope Nathan Facey, of Thomastown, which he edged 21-20.

Davies, who lost 21-20 in the Welsh junior sin- gles final in 2014, demonstrated tremendous poise throughout the tournament, ending the hopes of both this year’s Welsh singles runner-up, Martin Clarke-Squires (Barry Athletic), 21-5 in the semifinal and twice winner Neil Collett (West End) in the quarter-final (21-19).

He also achieved convincing wins over former World Champion John Price, former junior international Nathan Scoot, and another current RTB Ebbw Vale international, Richard Underwood.