I continue to be amazed by the progress of Stigaboy and surely at just 8 years old he has a head start on many of England’s current crop of top players. I just hope he continues to feel the force and is able to utilise his superpowers to resist the evil forces of Darth Playstation and Emperor Xbox.

Happy 8th Birthday Stigaboy!

Here are some photos from last weekend when Barrow TTC were crowned champions of the British League. A full report is to follow.

Barrow TTC is heading into the biggest weekend of the Clubs history.

It is hard to believe, but just a year ago Barrow’s first team spectacularly won promotion to the British League Premier Division. Now, just one year on, the team is on the verge of winning the premier British table tennis team title at the first attempt.

Barrow, determined not to fall at the final hurdle, will have a full team present including Paul Drinkhall, the newly crowned English National Champion. Darius Knight will also be making the long journey from the Polish Open to play for Barrow. As impressive as Knight’s journey is, it will be eclipsed by that of team manager Tristran Swan who is travelling a whopping 6400 miles from China to be at the potentially historic weekend.

Over the weekend, Barrow will be looking to hold on to their slender two point lead as they face fifth placed Westfield I, sixth placed Ormesby I, fourth placed DHS Greenhouse Progress I and third placed Fusion I.

Barrow I from: Paul Drinkhall, Gavin Rumgay, Darius Knight, Sebastian Laux, Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford

Last weekend was an important one for Barrow II, as the team aimed to realise their ambition for promotion to Division 1 North of the British League. With a perfect record going into the weekend, Barrow II were the favourites. Though tough opposition, particularly in the form of Drumchapel Glasgow III and title contenders Chesterfield stood in the way.

Barrow II vs. Woodfield

Barrow II’s previous fixture against Woodfield ended in a 6-2 victory for the Barrow team. On that occasion, Woodfield’s Andy Rich claimed the scalps of Barrow’s Jonathan Crawford and Scott Crawford. The Crawford brothers will have been relieved to see Rich missing for this match.

Jonathan Crawford was simply too strong for Leigh Hipkins (11-4, 11-4, 11-4) and Scott Crawford overcame the tricky John Collymore (6-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8). A nervy Tristran Swan got the better of Liam Farmer (12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) and stepping in for the injured Tom Smith, Graham Coupe was quick to prove his worth and get his name on the score sheet with a battling win over Jarendra Patel (5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3) to give Barrow II a faultless 4-0 start.

The second half went much the way of the first with Jonathan Crawford beating John Collymore (11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9), Swan beating Hipkins (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5) and Scott Crawford beating Patel (11-9, 11-9, 11-7). Coupe was close to an impeccable start, but was in need of a couple of extra points to get the better of Farmer (9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11).

Match Score: Barrow II 7 – 1 Woodfield
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (2), Graham Coupe (1)
Woodfield: John Collymore (0), Leigh Hipkins (0), Jarendra Patel (0), Liam Farmer (1)

Barrow II vs. Drumchapel Glasgow III

Barrow II won the previous encounter with Drumchapel Glasgow III 8-0, a score line that took even the Barrow team by surprise. Barrow II certainly weren’t expecting things to be as easy this time against a young and dangerous Drumchapel Glasgow III.

From the start, the match didn’t go to plan as Scott Crawford failed to penetrate the sharp looking Drumchapel Number 1 Calum Main (11-7, 11-13, 9-11, 5-11). Thankfully for Barrow, the ship was steadied as brother Jonathan Crawford stepped into the court showing the sort of form that has deserted him for much of the season. Jonathan beat the much-improved Scott Barton (11-7, 11-5, 16-14).

Graham Coupe was on fire as he produced possibly his best win to date against Nathan Courtney (11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7) to put Barrow II back on track. With the Barrow team visibly lifted and once again buoyant, Tristran Swan fed of the mistakes of Andrew McFadyen (13-11, 11-6, 11-5) to give Barrow II a 3-1 lead at the halfway point.

Jonathan Crawford then went on to produce his best table tennis of the season. Hitting the ball sweet and at times with unreturnable venom, Jonathan always looked in control as he beat Drumchapel’s Main (11-6, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8). Scott Crawford then overcame Courtney (11-5, 15-13, 13-11), whilst Swan didn’t have an answer for the serves and short play of Barton (12-14, 6-11, 6-11). For Coupe, a satisfying afternoon was concluded with a superb win over McFadyen (10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6) to give Barrow II a very respectable 6-2 win.

Match Score: Barrow II 6 – 2 Drumchapel Glasgow III
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (1), Tristran Swan (1), Graham Coupe (2)
Drumchapel Glasgow III: Calum Main (1), Scott Barton (1), Nathan Courtney (0), Andrew McFadyen (0)

Barrow II vs. Chesterfield

Barrow II’s previous encounter with Chesterfield is what defines the standings at the top of the table. On that occasion, a strong team of Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford and Steve Dixon took the fixture 5-3 to give Barrow II a two-point advantage at the top of the table.

This time around, Barrow II had a very different lineup against an unchanged Chesterfield (William Cooney, Andy Henry, Andrew Horsefield, Mark Short). As such, this match had the potential to be a game of two halves. With Barrow II on paper boasting a stronger 1 and 2 and Chesterfield greater depth at 3 and 4, a draw looked to be on the cards and it is this that Barrow were playing for.

To start, Chesterfield’s Andy Henry struggled to read Jonathan Crawford’s deceptive serves (11-4, 11-6). Come the third set, he seemed to have the hang of them (8-11). Although Jonathan wasn’t playing as well as the previous day, he managed to close Henry out in the fourth set to give Barrow II a very important early lead (11-9).

Barrow’s lead was extended as Scott Crawford held his nerve after loosing the first set to Will Cooney (9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5). As expected, Tristran Swan went down to the consistent Mark Short (4-11, 10-12, 8-11) and Graham Coupe lost out to the intelligent play of Andrew Horsefield (7-11, 5-11, 5-11). This left the match score 2-2 at the halfway point and Barrow II needing two more games to more or less guarantee them the title.

In the first of two crunch games for Barrow, Chesterfields Cooney failed to convert chances, aiding Jonathan Crawford to victory (14-12, 11-9, 12-10). Tristran Swan then failed to get the better of Andy Henry to leave the match perilously tight at three a-piece.

In possibly the most entertaining match of the weekend, much to the delight of the Barrow team, Scott Crawford got the better of Andrew Horsefield (11-8, 12-10, 11-4) to guarantee Barrow a valuable draw and possibly the title. This lifted any pressure off Coupe as he faced Short. Despite a strong start by Coupe (10-12), Short went on to control the game and earn Chesterfield the conciliation of a draw (2-11, 6-11).

Match Score: Barrow II 4 – 4 Chesterfield
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (0), Graham Coupe (0)
Chesterfield: William Cooney (0), Andy Henry (1), Andrew Horsefield (1), Mark Short (2)

Barrow II vs. Ormesby III

In the first half of the season, Barrow II beat Ormesby III 6-2. On that occasion, Tristran Swan lost out to Martin Rutter and Michael Young just got the better of Graham Coupe.

To start, Ormesby’s Karen Shepherd played an excellent and effective counter-hitting game against Barrow’s Scott Crawford. However, Crawford managed to hang on and clinch the game in a dramatic 5th set (14-12, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9). Jonathan Crawford then proceeded to ease past Martin Rutter (11-5, 12-10, 11-5) and Graham Coupe beat Michael Young (11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9). Tristran Swan then battled through against Chloe Whyte (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5) to guarantee Barrow the draw they needed to win the division.

The second half of the game followed the first. Once again Karen Shepherd played well, but lost out to Jonathan Crawford (11-9, 12-10, 12-10). Scott Crawford beat Michael Young (11-9, 11-6, 11-9), Tristran Swan did well to fight back and beat Martin Rutter (11-13, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5) whilst Graham Coupe frustrated Chloe Whyte (11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 11-8) to earn Barrow II a convincing 8-0 win.

Match Score: Barrow II 8 – 0 Ormesby III
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (2), Graham Coupe (2)
Ormesby III: Karen Shepherd (0), Martin Rutter (0), Michael Young (0), Chloe Whyte (0)

I’m still in China and things are pretty hectic at the moment. I just want to congratulate Paul Drinkhall on behalf of Barrow Table Tennis Club on regaining the English Men’s National Title, which he last won in 2009. Below, you can see a write-up by Steven Bailey taken from Paul’s website.

Paul justified his top billing at the English National Championships over the weekend of the 5th, 6th and 7th of March 2011.

Seeded No.1 for every event he played in, Paul – despite not finding his best form – had enough gas in the tank to take two gold medals and two silver medals in the event held in its usual location at the Ponds Forge leisure centre in Sheffield.

The Friday started with Paul reaching the final of the Under 21 event against Liam Pitchford of Derbyshire, who had just beaten Paul’s England team mate Darius Knight in his Semi Final. In doing so Paul had to take care of business against the much improved David McBeath in the Quarter Finals and then Chris Doran in the Semi Finals, which he did without too many problem.

The final against Liam was a great match for the spectators and showcased an in form Pitchford fighting for his first taste of an Under 21 Gold. Paul – gunning for his third Gold In three consecutive years in this event, and perhaps with half an eye on his campaign for the Men’s Singles – struggled to really get going and lost the first game at deuce, hitting back to win the second 11 – 7. From there on Pitchford, playing with a real sense of conviction and showcasing some great stroke making played like a man with nothing to lose and took the next two games to take his first Under 21 National title. A disappointing result, but Silver medal number 1 in the bag.

Saturday’s play began with Paul teaming up with his partner and English No.2 Joanna Parker to defend the Mixed Doubles title currently held by the pairing. After disposing of David Meads and Jess Dawson then Sam Walker and Tressa Armitage in the Quarter Finals and Semi Finals respectively, it was down to business with a match against a familiar duo – Darius Knight (England No.4) and Kelly Sibley (England No.1), last year’s losing finalists. After going two games and 9 – 2 down it looked like the show was over for Paul and Joanna, but in the comeback of the competition the pair fought to win the third game 11 – 9 then the next two games relatively comfortably to successfully defend the title. Gold medal number 1 in the bag!

The Men’s doubles very nearly went the same way – Paul and new partner Liam Pitchford ( Looking like a great combo for the future) were untroubled in their Quarter Final match up against Richard Andrews and Justin Ma and then again in the penultimate match against Lorestas Trumpauskas and Craig Bryant, not dropping a single end en route to the Final.

The Final proved to be an incredible match up against the pairing of Danny Reed and Chris Doran. Reed and Doran were hot out of the blocks and raced into a surprising two game lead over Paul and Liam, who regrouped and countered too show there class levelling matters at 2 – 2. In the final set, Reed and Doran – playing with total freedom and nothing to lose – held on to tie the scores at 7-7, winning in many peoples opinion the rally of the tournament after all four players produced some terrific strokes in a loop to loop exchange that saw the pairing’s using every inch of the show court. The No.2 seeds eventually clinched the title 11 – 9 in the fifth game that was an absolute credit to all four players. Silver medal number in the bag.

Saturday also saw the start of the ‘biggie’ – the Men’s Senior event. Seeded number 1, a focused and determined Paul was out for his hat trick in this event after previously winning in 2007 and 2009. Being the hot favourite brings its own kind of pressure, and Paul proved this weekend as he has done on so many other occasions exactly why he has maintained the English No.1 senior ranking position for so long with some incredible attacking play and exactly the right type of attitude.

After disposing of Alim Hirji in the last 32, Paul’s last 16 encounter was with Will Maybanks – both of these players came from respected coach Gergerly Urban’s stable and Will who is training in Hungary full time and competing in Austria showed his vast improvement by taking the first game of the match before Paul found a higher gear to run out a 4 games to 1 winner and book his place in the Quarter Finals.

The last match of the evening, and moved from the usual Sunday morning spot to accommodate Sky TV coverage, matched Paul against the hard hitting and explosive Matt Ware, the England ranked No.7 from Hampshire. Ware used his powerful two wing attacking game to take the first set against Paul, who returned to the table re focused and looking to use his powerful forehand at every opportunity. Displaying absolute concentration, Paul won the next three games comfortably, and despite Ware stealing the 5th game Paul took control of the match and ran out a 4 – 2 winner.

Onto Sundays matches, and the first matchup of the day – Paul’s Semi Final encounter against England No.5 Andrew Baggaley. Paul – despite competing and enjoying success In four events compared to Baggaley’s one – looked sharp as a knife in this match and he absolutely stamped his authority on proceedings from the word go.

The experienced Baggaley – who had survived a real scare in the previous evenings tumultuous match with Darius Knight (4 – 2 in favour of Andrew, a match much closer than the score line suggests) showed his metal to win the first and fifth games at deuce but after that was rarely in with a chance as the Loftus man romped home to a famous victory. The score line tells its own story – the four games Paul won were by comfortable margins, 11 – 6, 11 – 8, 11 – 1 and 11 – 4 with some top class attacking play from both wings. The additional power Paul is able to generate into his strokes was evident in this game and his total professionalism shone through in what was a true display of great table tennis.

In the other half of the draw, England No.3 Danny Reed enjoyed a surprising victory over England No.2 Liam Pitchford, coming back from 3 games to 1 down to take the match 4 – 3 with a good display of two wing attacking play to set up the final match of the day.

The Final started with Paul taking the first game 11 – 7 with a display of awesome attacking strokes from all over the court. Time and time again his service and superior touch play around the net allowed him to make the first strong attacking stroke and Reed was unable to cope with the additional power from his opponent.

To his credit, Reed was able to win the second game with a series of backhand counter loop strokes which he used to good effect rather than his favoured forehand stroke from the backhand court. This lost game seemed to spur Paul on and he was absolutely dominant in taking the next three games and the match 4 – 1 to clinch his third English National Senior Men’s title. Time and time again Paul was able to dominate Reed with his strength and extra time on the ball and even when Reed managed to make the first attack Paul’s holding game meant he could absorb the first attack then counter with devastating precision and power.

A fantastic achievement for Paul, his third National Senior title aged just 21 – Paul is ready to work to improve his game even further, so let’s hope it is the third of many more to come… there is every chance it will be. Watch this space!

I have quit my job and next Monday I will be setting off for a month long stint behind the ‘Great Firewall of China’. I would like to say it will be a table tennis frenzy, but whilst there I will be getting my head down on a new professional challenge.

I have accepted a unique position with the Tara Jewels Group to develop a new sports jewellery brand, Vinqui. The project is very ambitious, well backed and will be developing at a rapid rate.

I’ll do my best to keep you all posted (and thanks to my girlfriend Lexi Turnbull for being so supportive!).

This weekend, at Draycott and Long Eaton Table Tennis Centre, the champions of Division 2 North of the British League will be decided.

Occupying pole position, Barrow II have spent the last week preparing. Despite being undefeated so far, the team have a slender 2-point advantage over Chesterfield and the youthful Barrow team understands there is no leeway for slip-ups.

Over the weekend, Barrow II will face some tough opposition from: sixth placed Woodfield I, third placed Drumchapel Glasgow III, second placed Chesterfield (championship deciding game) and seventh placed Ormesby III.

Barrow II (from): Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford, Tristran Swan, Graham Coupe

Tomorrow (26th January 2011) sees the start of the 66th English Open at Sheffield. With Wang Hao, Zhang Jike, Ma Lin, Xu Xin, Wang Liqin and Chen Qi all present, for the worldwide audience it will be all about the Chinese.

I was unfortunate enough to be there for last years Ma Long/Ma Lin final. To be honest, it was as boring as some local league matches that I have to endure. For me this year, with the rise of the Barrow team, it will be all about our players as well as the rest of sizeable British contingent.

English Open Draw: Men’s U21s

Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Liam Pitchford are seeded.

English Open Draw: Men’s Singles

Paul Drinkhall and Andrew Baggaley are seeded.