Barrow I vs TTK Greenhouse

Barrow vs Elgre Nottingham I

Fusion I vs Barrow I

Barrow I vs Pavilion Brighton I

OLOP Impact vs Barrow I

Click here to see the 2009-2010 British League Play-Off Table, Results and Player Averages.

British League Play-Off Table

Click here to see Barrow’s 2009-2010 British League Play-Off Match Cards.

British League Play-Off Results

Click here to see Barrow’s 2009-2010 British League Play-Off Match Cards.

British League Play-Off Barrow Player Averages

British League Division 1 North Final Table

British League Division 1 North Results

British League Division 1 North Barrow Player Averages

English Table Tennis Association

Teams finishing first and second will be promoted to the elite British League Premier Division.

Despite the first day’s results not going Barrow I’s way with two 5-3 defeats, results elsewhere meant a play-off place was secure. With little to play for, and the distraction of the 2nd team’s battle for survival, it seemed a win for Barrow I was going to be hard to come by.

Barrow I vs Sheffield

Barrow I’s first game was against Sheffield; the division’s ‘whipping boys’ and a team that Barrow I had beaten 6-2 in the first half of the season. The match saw the return of Tristran Swan as Scott Crawford returned to play for the 2nd team in their crunch match against Elgre Nottingham II.

Barrow I got off to a fast start with wins for Jonathan Crawford over Simon Pugh (6, 5, 9) and Brad Evans over Paul Johnson (8, 7, 9). However, once again it was the teams lower end that failed to perform as Steve Dixon lost to Jack Grant (-6, 5, -9, -6) and Tristran Swan suffered a disappointing defeat to Liam Carson (-6, 2, -9, -9).

Going into the second half of the match with the score tied two a-piece, the ever dependable Brad Evans stepped up and beat Simon Pugh (9, 10, 5) and was backed up by Jonathan Crawford who comfortably beat Jack Grant (6, 9, 8). This gave Barrow I a 4-2 lead and needing only one more win to take 2 points. Next up was Tristran Swan who should have beat Paul Johnson after leading the 5th and final set 10-8, however, it wasn’t to be as he lost it game 10 (6, -6, -3, 8, -10). So, it was up to Steve Dixon to secure victory for the team as he easily beat Liam Carson (8, 7, 5).

Final Score: Barrow I 5 – 3 Sheffield
Barrow I: Brad Evans (2), Jonathan Crawford (2), Tristran Swan, Steve Dixon (1)
Sheffield: Simon Pugh , Paul Johnson (1), Jack Grant (1), Liam Carson (1)

Barrow I vs Halton I

Barrow I’s final game of the season saw them face Halton I, the closest team Barrow I have to arch-rivals and a team they beat 5-3 at the start of the season. The match saw Tom Smith stepping up into the team, making his debut, in reward for his morning’s performance for the second team.

Tristran Swan

With the matched tied two all at the halfway point, Bradley Evans faced Richard Lightowler. Given previous confrontations, it is obvious Brads scalp is one that Richard wants, but he’ll have to wait for now. Like his earlier match, Brad cruised through winning 8, 1 and 3. After a nervous start, Tristran Swan furthered Barrow I’s lead to 4-2 with a good win over higher ranked Chris Ford (-5, 7, 9, 3). Jonathan Crawford then failed to keep Mick Moir’s swinging attacking style at bay as he suffered a disappointing, but tight defeat (-12, -12, 7, 9, -10). So, with the match 4-3 in Barrow I’s favour, it was up to Tom Smith to conjure up some of the magic he’d shown over the weekend to secure a victory for Barrow I. However, it wasn’t to be as Pawel Orzechowski evaded his wizardry skills (-9, 10, -10, -10) to earn a draw for Halton I.

Final Score: Barrow I 4 – 4 Halton I
Barrow I: Brad Evans (2), Jonathan Crawford, Tristran Swan (1), Tom Smith (1)
Sheffield: Richard Lightowler (1), Chris Ford , Michael Moir (1), Pawel Orzechowski (2)

Going into the final weekend of Division 1 North of the British League, Barrow I sat comfortably in joint 2nd position; only needing a couple of points to guarantee the target of a Premiership play-off position.

Barrow I vs Elgre Nottingham I

Barrow I’s first match saw them face Elgre Nottingham I, the team they shared second position with and likely future play-off competitors. The previous meeting between the two clubs in the first half of the season saw Barrow I win 5-3.

Steve Dixon

Next up saw Brad Evans against Mark Green. Going against all expectations, Mark won the first two sets easily game 4 and game 5. Brad was under serious pressure and forced to fight for and win every point. Eventually he overcame Mark winning the crucial 3rd set game 14 followed by easier wins in the 4th and 5th sets, 5 and 9 respectively. Barrow I then went on to lose the next three matches and therefore the tie 5-3. Jonathan Crawford suffered a disappointing loss to Stewart Mudie (10, -3, -8, -10), Tristran Swan lost to David Arrowsmith (-8, -7, -9) and Steve Dixon was taught a lesson or two by Emma Vickers (-7, -2, -6).

Final Score: Barrow I 3 – 5 Elgre Nottingham I
Barrow I: Bradley Evans (2), Jonathan Crawford (1), Tristran Swan, Steve Dixon
Elgre Nottingham I: Mark Green, David Arrowsmith (1), Stewart Mudie (2), Emma Vickers (2)

Barrow I vs Northfield I

Next for Barrow I were Northfield I, a team that looked impressive in the morning’s session and that certainly boasts a squad that belies there 6th position in the division. The two teams’ previous meeting had resulted in a 4-4 draw. For this match, Scott Crawford moved up into the team as Tristran Swan had other commitments.

The match got under way with Bradley Evans beating Keith Rodger (-10, 7, 4, 4). Next up was a big match for Jonathan Crawford (England 60) as he faced higher ranked Bryn Drinkhall (England 29). Typically, it is against stronger opposition that Jonathan produces his best table tennis. On this occasion, despite some quality open play and killer shots from Jonathan, Bryn was to strong winning -7, 4, 5 and 11.

The next two games went the way of Northfield I with wins for Tony Wilson over Scott Crawford (4, -10, -7, -5) and Dan Welsh over Steve Dixon (8, -9, -3, 8, -6).

Bradley Evans

Barrow I were now trailing 2-3 and, with a subsequent loss for Scott Crawford against Keith Rodger (-6, -8, -10), a draw was the best Barrow I could hope for. With a victory for Jonathan Crawford over Dan Welsh (-7, 5, 4, 9), this was looking likely, but despite his best efforts Steve Dixon lost to Tony Wilson (12, -3, -7, -5) to hand Northfield I a 5-3 victory.

Final Score: Barrow I 3 – 5 Northfield I
Barrow I: Bradley Evans (2), Jonathan Crawford (1), Scott Crawford, Steve Dixon
Northfield I: Bryn Drinkhall (1), Keith Rodger (1), Dan Welsh (1), Tony Wilson (2)

Scott Crawford

The team – whose home is under threat as Furness Academy looks to expand its South Site – have won back-to-back promotions in the past three seasons, rising from Division Three to Division One in the national standings.

Last season, the club made the Premiership play-offs for the first time in their history, missing out to Sycamore and Derwent.

This season has seen the creation of a second Barrow team in Division Two of the British League, while the first team has been strengthened with the acquisition of England number two and London 2012 Olympics hopeful Darius Knight, as well as Croatian number three Jakov Krivić.

This calibre of player has been brought under the Barrow banner by Scott and Jonathan Crawford, two former Dowdales pupils, who are now part of the national table tennis academy in Bristol.

Their links with some of the best players in the country have allowed the Barrow team to excel, and this weekend will see key fixtures take place.

Both teams go into the final games of their British League campaigns with everything to play for, with four matches taking place over two days, in Draycott and Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

The two sides find themselves in very different positions, with the first team able to relax as, barring mathematical improbabilities, they have all but secured a Premier Division play-off place.

Meanwhile, Barrow TTC II go into the weekend, bottom of Division Two and battling for survival.

The most important and decisive match of the weekend will come when Barrow TTC II face second-from-bottom Nottingham Elgre, who are one point ahead in the standings. It is set to be a nail-biting weekend for Barrow, whose star players have travelled to Furness to coach many of the area’s young rising stars.

The first team will field a squad including both Crawfords and former Parkview pupil Tristran Swan, as well as rising star Bradley Evans and Kendal League player Steve Dixon.

Barrow TTC 1st team (from): Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Tristran Swan, Steve Dixon, Scott Crawford

Barrow TTC 2nd team (from): Scott Crawford, Steve Temple, Graham Coupe, Mark Temple, Tom Smith.

If the first team do rise into the Premier Division, then the cost of running the team is set to rise.

While their home is under threat, the teams are also looking for sponsorship to help fund their progress.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the club can email sponsorship@barrowtabletennisclub.co.uk for details regarding packages available for next season.

With the leaders Drumchapel Glasgow II not eligible for promotion to the Premier Division the battle for the minor places has taken on a new significance. Elgre Nottingham I and Barrow both have 14 points but it is Barrow who appear to be finishing the stronger. They dented the leaders Drumchapel Glasgow’s 100 % record, winning 5-3 in round nine. New signing Jakov Krivić played a major part in this success winning twice and England no. 45 Brad Evans followed suit. Barrow stalwart Jonathan Crawford had the honour (extreme pressure might be a better description) of winning the crucial game and he was up to the task. Crawford beat Terry McLernon Junior 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9 to make the score 5-2. Glasgow’s Craig Hardie, who had only lost three of his 16 singles felt the full force of the Barrow push for promotion. He missed out 11-6, 5-11, 4-11, 8-11 to Brad Evans and 16-18,5-11, 4-11 against Jakov Krivić.

Barrow turned in another accomplished performance in round 10, beating fourth-placed Ormesby II 6-2. Jakov Krivić was again undefeated although Andrew Wilson’s five game win over Bradley Evans stood out from Ormesby’s perspective. Wilson triumphed 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 5-11, 11-7. Barrow no.4 Tristran Swan also impressed and he scored two notable victories. He beat Karina Le Fevre 11-5, 11-9, 11-6 and Karen Shepherd 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.

ELGRE Nottingham added four points to their score as well. Chris Rogers was undefeated as they beat Northfield I 5-3. Rogers looked sharp as he defeated Keith Rodger 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 and Bryn Drinkhall 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9 and he received solid support from his team-mates. Emma Vickers scored a fine 11-5, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3 win over Danny Welsh and David Arrowsmith a last gasp 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 victory over Keith Rodger. Mark Green clinched the victory for the Nottingham side by beating Danny Welsh 11-5, 11-7, 11-8. Steve Bailey, returning to action after a break from the Sport fared best of the Northfield players. He marked a successful return to British League action by beating David Arrowsmith 8-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 12-10 and Emma Vickers 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11.

ELGRE were more comfortable 7-1 winners over bottom-side Sheffield. The score flattered them slightly as they won the two tightly contested five setters. David Arrowsmith who seems to specialise in playing five-enders was again involved in both of these battles. This time he beat Liam Carson 3-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10 and then Bill Grant 12-14, 11-5, 14-12, 2-11, 11-7. England no.52 Veteran Simon Pugh was Sheffield’s sole winner, and he scored a fine 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 success over Mark Green.

At the lower end of the table Northfield I beat Halton I 6-2 to jump above them. Bryn Drinkhall and Keith Rodger were both undefeated for Northfield whilst Danny Welsh did well to beat Chris Ford in five ends, fighting back strongly to win 2-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4. Keith Rodger clinched the Northfield victory by getting the better of Michael Moir 11-5, 14-12, 11-9 and Steve Bailey wrapped up proceedings by beating Mark Ramsbottom 11-6, 11-8, 12-10. A very good performance from Northfield.