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 Sunday (23rd January, 2011), whilst Widnes Vikings were entertaining St. Helens on the field, inside the Halton Stadium, Barrow were completing rounds 9 and 10 of their British League Premier Division campaign.

Despite best efforts, for the first time this season, a complete Barrow squad didn’t travel to a fixture. Gavin Rumgay had returned from the Slovenian Open the day before and needed to be in Sweden that evening to play for his Swedish club BTK Rekord. His presence was missed by the Barrow team as well as the spectators who commented the venue lacked atmosphere without his cries of “cho”.

Barrow I vs. BATTS I

Going into the fixture, BATTS could feel the weight of the whole division upon them as they sat bottom of the table. With this in mind, Barrow were expecting a fight from a team with strength and depth (Wang Zheng, Craig Bryant, Thomas Bennborn, John Nilsson, etc.). However, BATTS’ star players didn’t travel despite an afternoon match against fellow strugglers Westfield. Maybe BATTS have accepted their fate?

Playing for Barrow I: Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight, Sebastian Laux, Jonathan Crawford.

Playing for BATTS I: John Nilsson (Sweden), Tom Maynard (England Number 17), Martin Kubrt (England Number 53), Jimmy Walsh (England Number 63).

With the English Open Pro-Tour starting on Wednesday, both Darius Knight and Paul Drinkhall looked particularly sharp. Indeed, Drinkhall had just returned from a rare and unique trip to China where he had trained with the Chinese U21′s for a week and the Senior National Squad for a further week. It was Knight and Drinkhall that got Barrow off to a winning start with Knight beating John Nilsson (11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3) and Drinkhall beating Tom Maynard (12-10, 11-4, 11-5).

After a 5 match absence, Barrow born Jonathan Crawford returned to action and winning ways disposing of Martin Kubrt (12-10, 11-9, 13-11). Barrow’s German signing Sebastian Laux followed and made easy work of Jimmy Walsh (11-6, 11-6, 11-5) to earn Barrow a 4-0 lead at the half-way mark.

The second half went the same way as the first as Barrow raced to an 8-0 victory. Drinkhall won an exhibition match against Nilsson (11-8, 11-5, 11-8), Knight beat Kubrt (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4), Laux beat Maynard (11-7, 11-5, 11-8) and Crawford beat Walsh (11-9, 7-11, 11-1, 11-7).

Final Score: Barrow I 8 – 0 BATTS I
Barrow I: Paul Drinkhall (2), Darius Knight (2), Sebastian Laux (2), Jonathan Crawford (2)
BATTS I: John Nilsson (0), Tom Maynard (0), Martin Kubrt (0), Jimmy Walsh (0)

Barrow I vs. Sycamore

After a 7-1 thumping at the hands of Drumchapel Glasgow in the morning, Barrow’s next opponents had dropped to the second relegation spot.

For only the second time this season, Barrow fielded an unchanged winning team.

Playing for Barrow I: Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight, Sebastian Laux, Jonathan Crawford.

Playing for Sycamore: Kevin Dolder (England Number 19), Sean Cullen, Danny Lowe (England Number 34), Sam Perry (England Number 29)

Once again Darius Knight and Paul Drinkhall got Barrow off to a convincing winning start. Knight beat Kevin Dolder (11-8, 12-10, 11-6) and Drinkhall breezed passed Sean Cullen (11-4, 11-7, 11-6).

Despite looking the better player and leading throughout, Jonathan Crawford just couldn’t close out Danny Lowe (8-11, 12-10, 12-10). Sebastian Laux followed and proceeded to make Sam Perry look ordinary (11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6). This gave Barrow a 3-1 lead at the halfway point.

Kevin Dolder embodies the fight and drive teams like to see in their players and he threw everything he had at Barrow’s Paul Drinkhall. However, despite everything Dolder hurled at Drinkhall it all came back with painful ease as Drinkhall entertained and won (11-5, 11-6, 11-2).

Knight had a fright after been 10-8 down to the ever-consistent and deceptive Danny Lowe at one set apiece, but came away with his 100% record intact. Sebastian Laux completed a good day at the table with a comfortable win over Sean Cullen (11-5, 11-7, 12-10).

In the final match, Crawford once again looked the better player and led throughout against Perry. Perry mustn’t have believed his luck and for Crawford it must have felt like Groundhog Day as he let Perry steal the game (11-9, 14-12, 12-10, 14-12).

Final Score: Barrow I 6 – 2 Sycamore
Barrow I: Paul Drinkhall (2), Darius Knight (2), Sebastian Laux (2), Jonathan Crawford (0)
Sycamore: Kevin Dolder (0), Sean Cullen (0), Danny Lowe (1), Sam Perry (1)

On Sunday, at the Halton Regional Table Tennis Centre, Barrow I will be going on an adventure to the quicksand mired world of the ‘Relegation Zone’. The ‘Relegation Zone’ is a place big enough for two, but currently occupied by three tribes; Sycamore, Westfield and BATTS. However, on this journey, there will only be enough time for Barrow to go to battle with two of the inhabitants, Sycamore and BATTS.

Barrow will be looking to make the visit to this hostile world brief and swift. But before calling to Denis Neale, “Beam us up Denis”, there is a couple of side missions Barrow will be wanting to complete. Barrow’s Paul Drinkhall will be relishing the opportunity to make a point against Sycamore’s Sam Perry and the team as a whole will be looking to lay to rest the ghost that haunted them so much last time, BATTS’ Thomas Bennborn.

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

Coming away from the last British League Premier Division weekend, there are three things that stand out in my mind:

1. How much I had underestimated Ormesby, DHS Greenhouse Progress and Fusion. These teams played tremendously, in particular Jason Sugrue and Sule Olaleye, and our matches were as competitive and intense as our first match against Drumchapel Glasgow. Indeed, on the day, I think our scores against DHS Greenhouse Progress and Fusion flattered us.
2. How much Darius Knight has improved. I have yet to see him tested, but his comfortable win over Gareth Herbert who is in tremendous form is testament to how well Darius is playing at the moment.
3. That Barrow really is the best team to play for in the British League. I don’t think there is a team with our camaraderie and to see every game well supported, whether it is a match clincher or the last match when everything has been decided is brilliant. Not only that, but everyone gets on so well off the table and it is brilliant to see the players families all involved.

For those that haven’t witnessed a British League Premier weekend, I would go as far as saying last weekend was way better and way more exciting than last season’s English Open finals (during which my girlfriend knitted a scarf as I fell asleep next to her).

There have been rumours going into this British League weekend that we (Barrow TTC) have signed a new player. One rumour even suggests a top Chinese player that plays in Sweden. I can categorically state, “Barrow TTC have not signed any new players going into the second British League weekend”.

We are aware that there is a good chance that Drumchapel Glasgow may have signed another player. We too could sign someone. Indeed, if it wasn’t for a fixture clash we would be debuting a new number 1 on Sunday.

When re-analysing the situation (after finding out about the fixture clash), we felt that signing a new player would only be buying guaranteed success and would be detrimental to the team (at this moment in time). The team felt they had started out together and that it was important they won the British League together as a team and earned the honour of being champions.

The Barrow first team has developed a phrase. In fact, you might have even heard it on some of our videos; it goes something like this, “GEESE”.

At the last British League weekend, at the end of a team talk everyone even got in a huddle and gave the geese sign (making your arm and hand look like a goose face and neck) and shouted “GEESE” – me included. Now, I don’t know why I joined in with this ritual (had to really given everyone else was), as I don’t have a clue what it means. I don’t know whether at anytime in my life I have been goosed or geesed, indeed, I don’t know whether I have been doing the goosing or the geesing!

I have consulted the urban dictionary, but this doesn’t seem to offer any obvious clues. So, can someone please help me and tell me what “GEESE” means?

This weekend, Barrow I will be making the long journey south to Old Harlow to play the second of four weekends that constitute the British League Premier division season.

Barrow I currently top the table with four wins from four, including an important 5-3 victory over reigning champions Drumchapel Glasgow.

Barrow I’s opening Saturday fixture is not only tough, but has an interesting twist. It comes in the form of an experienced team from a northeast club co-founded by Barrow TTC coach Denis Neale in 1957, Ormesby. This is the team that Neale won the European Club cup with in 1972, the only English team to ever do so. After that, Barrow I face London club DHS Greenhouse Progress.

Sunday’s aperitif comes in the form of a match-up between Barrow I and Fusion, the team Barrow were promoted with after last season’s play-offs. It is then time for the main course, the British League crunch match of the decade, the return fixture against Drumchapel Glasgow.

Speaking about the weekend and the Drumchapel Glasgow fixture in particular, Barrow Team Manager Tristran Swan commented,

“Only Drumchapel Glasgow concerns me. Barrow and Drumchapel are a class apart from the other teams in the division. Saying that, we can’t afford to go easy as a loss against Drumchapel will bring all the other results into play.”

“The Drumchapel game is massive. The players know it and they know what is at stake. A win will make us very strong favourites for the title. A draw will put us in a perilous position, as we can’t guarantee that our top players will always be available. For me, a loss will be a disaster as I don’t believe we can beat Drumchapel on game difference.”

“There will be a few key games (in the match against Drumchapel). Assuming they have the same squad, the match between Gavin (Rumgay) and Ryan Jenkins is hugely important as are the matches involving our number 4 player (player to be announced).”

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

I started all a gusto, peaked way too early and then plummeted off a cliff. I can only apologise as I let my new blog turn into a stale stagnant bog. I simply got caught up in all kinds of things table tennis. Table tennis is infectious, addictive and will take over your life. In fact, it should come with a health warning on the packet!

So, for a quick catch-up. The Barrow ‘dream team’ turned into reality and I can only imagine the disappointment on the faces of certain other team members as our stars walked into the hall the first British League weekend. What a weekend it was too!

The weekend started on a high as Barrow TTC ended reigning champions Drumchapel Glasgow’s two year winning spell. It was tight, tighter than I expected, but the guys got the job done and the rest of the weekend was plain sailing (see the Barrow TTC YouTube Channel for the match videos). Indeed, one thing that became quickly apparent is the big gulf that exists between Drumchapel and us, and the rest of the British League Premier Division teams. We (Drumchapel and Barrow) have set the bar and I only hope the rest have the hunger and desire to catch-up and compete.

Away from the British League, Barrow TTC’s Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Gavin Rumgay competed at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. Paul, Darius and the rest of the England team enjoyed a
successful games walking away with a well deserved silver medal in the men’s team event (what a game between Paul and Achanta Sharath Kamal in the team semi-final match between England and India). Paul also came away with a bronze in the mixed doubles with partner Joanna Parker.

So, that is a quick round-up of what has happened. This leads into the question, what do we have to look forward to? Only the second British League Premier Division weekend and the British League crunch match of the decade between Barrow TTC and Drumchapel Glasgow. It is going to be massive!

British League Premier Division First Weekend Table

British League Premier Division Results

British League Premier Division Barrow Player Averages