British League Division 2 North Final Table
British League Division 2 North Results
Barrow II Player Averages
Going into the final weekend of Division 2 North of the British League, Barrow II were languishing at the bottom of the table. They were 1 point behind Elgre Nottingham II and 5 points behind Halton II. With 4 matches to be played, a maximum of 8 points to be won and only 1 team to be relegated, leap-frogging Elgre Nottingham II seemed to be Barrow II’s only hope for survival.
Barrow II vs Chesterfield
On paper, Barrow II’s first match looked to be the toughest of the weekend as they lined up against 2nd placed Chesterfield, a team that had convincingly beat them 8-0 in the first half of the season.
Scott Crawford
Next up for Barrow II was Mark Temple and for Chesterfield Andy Henry. A tough battle ensued, but it was Mark that succumbed to defeat (9, -3, -3, 5, -4). Then up stepped Steve, was he going to avenge his brother’s loss and guarantee Barrow II at least a draw? Unfortunately not, as Shaun Bibby proved to be too strong (-10. -9, 9, -6).
With one match remaining, Barrow II were now losing 3-4 to Chesterfield. With a lot at stake, the pressure was on Tom Smith to beat Warren Slaney. After four close sets, 8, -10, -9 and 10, it looked like things were going to go Barrow II’s way as Tom led 10-5 in the fifth and final set, guaranteeing himself at least 5 match points. However, he faltered, eventually loosing 13-11.
The disappointment in Tom’s face was clear and things weren’t made any better for him and the team as news came through that Elgre Nottingham II had won their match against Halton II. This meant Elgre Nottingham II were now 3 points ahead of Barrow II, with 6 points to play for.
Final Score: Barrow II 3 – 5 Chesterfield
Barrow II: Scott Crawford (2), Steve Temple, Mark Temple, Tom Smith (1)
Chesterfield: Andrew Horsfield (1), Andy Henry (1), Shaun Bibby (1), Warren Slaney (2)
Barrow II vs Drumchapel Glasgow III
Next up for Barrow II was Drumchapel Glasgow III, a team sitting 3rd in the division and a team that had inflicted a 5-3 victory over Barrow II in the first half of the season. With these facts, the morning’s loss still fresh in the players mind and the loss of No. 1 Scott Crawford (replaced by Graham Coupe) to the 1st team, victory looked unlikely.
Graham Coupe
This new-found belief was short lived as Steve Temple lost in another five-set thriller to Andrew Dunlop (-7, 7, -7, 5, -8). However, this proved to be nothing more than a blip as successive victories for Tom Smith, Mark Temple and Steve Temple gave Barrow II a strong 4-1 lead. A draw was therefore guaranteed, but with Elgre Nottingham II now sitting 3 points clear, a victory was a must.
Drumchapel Glasgow III weren’t prepared to make Barrow II’s life easy as they demonstrated the grit and determination associated with the Scots. They pulled two wins back with victories for Nathan Courtney over Graham Coupe (-6, -6, -10) and Andrew Dunlop over Mark Temple (-8, -5, 13, -1). With the score sitting at 4-3 in Barrow II’s favour, but the momentum going Glasgow Drumchapels IIIs way, things were looking hairy.
Once again, it was Tom Smith that found himself under the spotlight as he faced up to Connor Moran. Tom had already proven by his earlier victory over Nathan Courtney that he had pulled himself together, but were flashbacks of the morning’s loss to Warren Slaney going to come back and haunt him? Thankfully not, as Tom claimed a comfortable victory 8, 7 and 8 and in doing so sealed Barrow IIs first win of the season. Was this a first win too late though? Was it going to maintain a 3 point gap, or close the gap to Elgre Nottingham II?
Thankfully, it was the latter as Chesterfield lost to Derwent II. The day’s events had cancelled each other out and Barrow II could go back to the hotel with the knowledge that the teams destiny was still in their own hands.
Final Score: Barrow II 5 – 3 Glasgow Drumchapel III
Barrow II: Steve Temple (1), Graham Coupe (1), Mark Temple (1), Tom Smith (2)
Glasgow Drumchapel III: Andrew McFadyen, Andrew Dunlop (2), Nathan Courtney (1), Connor Moran
British League Division 2 North Third Weekend Table
British League Division 2 North Results
Barrow II Player Averages
British League Division 2 North First Weekend Table
British League Division 2 North Results
Barrow II Player Averages
Chesterfield and Burton Uxbridge lead the way with seven points, although Burton may have a slight advantage as they have already beaten third-placed Halton II who have five points. It is fair to say that this Division is yet to sort itself out. Chesterfield’s blip came in round three against Derwent II (four points from the weekend) who won all four games from the numbers one and two positions. Richard Moss scored two superb wins over Andy Henry (11-8, 11-8, 2-11, 15-13) and Andrew Horsfield (7-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4) and Chris Loxston excelled as well. Loxston beat both Andrew Horsfield (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7) and James Brown (15-13, 11-13, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8). Derwent were in the driving seat. Could they take the match ?. The answer turned out to be “no”. Chesterfield no. four Shaun Bibby won both of his singles defeating Mick Wilcockson 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7 and Richard Crowther 11-6, 12-14, 11-4, 11-5 to keep his team in the hunt.
Chesterfield returned to winning ways in round four whitewashing Barrow Fastbats II 8-0 with Andrew Horsfield, Andy Henry, James Brown and Shaun Bibby carrying all before them. Barrow (and particular Steve Temple) will justifiably feel a little hard done by losing both games narrowly that went to the fifth end. They say that fortunes favours the brave, or, in Table Tennis the winning team and that was the case here. Andy Henry prevailed 12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10 against Temple and Andrew Horsfield also beat the gallant Temple, this time by an agonising 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10.
Burton Uxbridge impressed greatly, beating Halton II 7-1. The scoreline flattered them, as they won all three five-enders (another case of fortune favouring the winning team), but, it was still a strong performance from the Burton side. Alastair McTavish scored two hard-fought wins, beating Keith Bird
(12-14, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6) and Jake Shaw (11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9) whilst Russell Boome also played his part. He beat newcomer Paul Orzechowski (10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9) as well as Keith Bird (11-6, 5-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7).
Burton’s dropped point came (like Chesterfield) against Derwent II, in the first round. Richard Moss took the Player of the Match Award, and deservedly so. He beat both Alastair McTavish (11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8) and Russell Boome (11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9) as his side moved into a 3-2 lead. McTavish levelled the scores by getting the better of Mick Wilcockson 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 but Chris Loxston restored Derwent’s advantage as he saw off David Savage 11-8, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7. Burton were relieved to get a draw although Paznarcyk Bednarczak always looked like beating Nathan Horsley and duly ran out a 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 winner.
Having drawn with the two leading sides you would expect to see Derwent listed amongst the challengers, but, they tasted defeat in round four when beaten 5-3 by Drumchapel Glasgow II. It wasn’t such a happy game for Richard Moss, beaten by both Andrew McFadden (3-2) and Chris Main (3-1)
as Drumchapel raced into a 3-0 and 4-1 lead. Rebecca Russell secured victory for her side by getting the better of Richard Crowther 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8.
Halton II’s fine 5-3 victory over Drumchapel Glasgow II leaves the Scottish team on four points. Halton excelled in this match. They won all four five setters. Andrew McFadyen set the tone in the first match, fighting back from 2-0 down to get the better of Keith Bird 8-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 whilst Rebecca Russell also showed real determination. She fought back from 2-0 down to beat Caroline Hallows 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. There was no joy for Caroline Hallows against Andrew McFadyen either, she led 2-0 before Andrew hauled his way back into contention to triumph 5-11, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-4.
