A SQUASH player from the district defeated a Welsh opponent in his own back yard to win a prestigious title.

Hexham Squash Club’s Adrian Alderton won the single’s plate at the Welsh Squash Masters.

A series of 3-0 wins saw the Hexham first team regular earn a place in the final, alongside Swansea’s Howard Jones, who he also defeated 3-0.

But while impressive, the plate victory was only a consolation for Alderton. For the plate is only open to players who exited the event’s main over 60s competition in the early rounds, after a defeat to eventual runner-up Kingsley Rees.

However, the Hexham first team regular, who has recently returned to action following injury, is already looking forward to 2021.

“This was a consolation prize,” he said, “but I’ll be doing my best to return and have another go at the main prize.”