After a team meal and a good night’s sleep, Barrow II returned to Draycott and Longeaton Table Tennis Centre for the team’s day of reckoning. The team arrived early, looked a little nervous and practiced hard in preparation for their first match – the crunch game against Elgre Nottingham II.

Barrow vs Elgre Nottingham II

After the previous day’s proceedings, Elgre Nottingham II went into the match sitting 1 point ahead of Barrow II and second from bottom in the table. Both teams faced tough opposition in the final matches to be played in the afternoon. This really was the game that would decide who would go up and who would go down. For Barrow II to stay up, a win was a must, whilst Nottingham Elgre II could make do with a draw. The two clubs previous meeting in the first half of the season had resulted in a 4 all draw.

First up for Barrow II was Scott Crawford and for Elgre Nottingham II it was Craig Feargieve. Scott throughout the season has been the team’s main man for wins, but worryingly, as the game got going, he looked lethargic. Despite this, he won the first set game 7, but then lost the next game 5. Scotty then battled through to take the next ends game 4 and 10. First blood for Barrow II.

Next up was Steve Temple against Chris Brewer. It seems like Steve likes to get his money’s worth and once again his match went all the way to 5 sets. The 5th set was a real battle, but Steve eventually won through taking the 5th end game 8. Barrow II now found themselves with a 2-0 lead. All was looking good, but in the grand scheme of things it was still early days.

Next on court was Graham Coupe for Barrow II and Robert Fearn for Elgre Nottingham II. The first two sets saw Graham edged out 8 and 9. Graham then pulled a set back game 5, but this was as far as his comeback would go as he lost the next set by the same margin. The score now sat at 2-1 to Barrow and the next game would see the intensity rise a notch or two as Tom Smith battled with Jimmy Brewster. Tom went 2 sets up, game 7 and game 8 before losing the next two sets game 9 and game 11. Once again, Tom found himself embroiled in a 5-set thriller which was to go all the way. Unfortunately, it was to be Jimmy Brewster’s day as he took the final set game 10.

At the halfway mark the score was 2 apiece, with nothing separating Barrow II and Elgre Nottingham II. For Barrow II, the margin for error had diminished as the team could only afford to loose 1 more match from the remaining 4 matches. It seemed that Elgre Nottingham II were now in the driving seat.

The next three matches were uncharacteristically won in straight sets. First for Barrow II, Scott Crawford beat Chris Brewer (6, 11, 9) and then for Elgre Nottingham II, Craig Feargrieve beat Graham Coupe (2, 5, 11). Finally, Steve Temple breezed through beating Jimmy Brewster (7, 7, 7) leaving the match 4-3 to Barrow II and setting up a must win match for Tom Smith against Robert Fearn.

From the start, it was obvious that both players were desperate to ‘save’ their respective clubs as an exhibition of determined table tennis ensued. Such was the determination that barriers went flying as desperate bids were made to retrieve balls from all sides of the court. After one incredible rally after another, the match finally entered a 5th and final set. It doesn’t get much more dramatic than this!

As the game got started, it was Tom that had the better body language and composure. This showed as he took a comfortable lead, which he held to take the set game 4. This importantly gave Barrow II the much needed victory to take them out of the relegation spot. Well done Tom!

Final Score: Barrow II 5 – 3 Elgre Nottingham II
Barrow II: Scott Crawford (2), Steve Temple (2), Graham Coupe, Tom Smith (1)
Elgre Nottingham II: Chris Brewer, Craig Feargrieve (1), Jimmy Brewster (1), Robert Fearn (1)

Barrow II vs Derwent II

With Elgre Nottingham II facing the divisions top team Burton Uxbridge I, it looked like Barrow II was safe. However, nothing can be taken for granted and complacency can be a dangerous thing. Derwent II were 5th in the division and beat Barrow II 3-5 in the teams previous meeting. Given the form and confidence been shown by Barrow II, it looked like this match was winnable.

Indeed, it is amazing how a couple of wins can transform a team. Barring a first match hiccup which saw Steve Temple narrowly loose to Richard Moss 5, 13 and 12, the team went on to destroy Derwent II 7-1 laying to bed any relegation fears in the process. Amongst the wins for the Barrow team was one noticeable one for Graham Coupe who beat the much higher ranked Mick Wilcockson 10, 10 and 10.

Final Score: Barrow II 7 – 1 Derwent II
Barrow II: Scott Crawford (2), Steve Temple (1), Graham Coupe (2), Mark Temple (2)
Derwent II: Richard Moss (1), Mick Wilcockson, Nathan Horsley, Richard Crowther

The Barrow Table Tennis Centre club faces a huge weekend, with potential promotion to the British Premier League on the horizon.

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.

Barrow vs. Sycamore

Barrow, who were without their top player – Scottish international Gavin Rumgay did well to hold runaway Division One South & Midlands Champions Sycamore to a draw. Sycamore’s Sam Perry played his part by beating Jonathan Crawford (11-5, 11-9, 11-6) as well as Bradley Evans (11-5, 11-7, 13-11) whilst the old Warrior himself – Denis Neale showed all the experience you would expect from a former England number one. He beat both Sean Cullen (13-11, 7-11, 8- 11, 11-9, 11-9) and Adam Frost (3-11, 11-5, 11-7,13-11).

Barrow vs. Derwent I

Derwent, having previously beaten Brighton decisively 7-1, continued on their winning ways by getting the better of Barrow 5-3. Barrow led 3-2 after Bradley Evans had recorded his second win, a hard-fought 11-9,11-6, 4-11, 5-11, 11-9 success against Mark Simpson but Derwent weren’t finished. Simon Noutch came through in five ends against Denis Neale whilst a battling Stephen Horsfield came up trumps in the fifth game against Jonathan Crawford. Richard Smith eventually sealed his side’s victory after a marathon match 11-7, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9 against Scott Crawford.

Barrow vs. Brighton I

Round three produced some of the best play of the weekend and Brighton started well against Barrow, taking a 2-0 lead. Jack Boult scored an outstanding 13-11, 9-11, 13-11, 4-11, 11-9 win over Bradley Evans and Dov Katz did well to get the better of Jonathan Crawford 8-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-5, 11-8.
However, the fast-improving Scott Crawford (certainly one of the most improved players over the course of the season) won twice to lead the Barrow fight-back. He showed real determination to beat Reece Tan 7-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9 and he sealed his side’s victory by getting the better of Jon Clarke 11-8, 12- 14, 11-7, 11-8.

Barrow vs. Urban Progress I

Urban Progress I overcome Barrow 6-2 in a match which was marred by one controversial incident. Denis Neale and Zoltan Hosszu were locked in a spell-binding encounter at one game all and at 10-10 in the second game Denis was faulted for a foul service. He was understandably very annoyed at the decision (you have to question if it had to be made at such an important stage of the game – and there was a lot of sympathy for Denis with this). The all-action William Maybanks gave another demonstration that he was the outstanding player of the weekend beating Bradley Evans 11-6, 11-5, 13-11.

Barrow vs. Elgre Nottingham I

The match between Barrow and Elgre Nottingham ended in a draw. Bradley Evans won twice for Barrow whilst Scott Crawford beat Emma Vickers over five ends and Jonathan Crawford got the better of Stewart Mudie 11-5, 12-10, 11-9.

Barrow vs Sycamore

Barrow vs Derwent I

Brighton I vs Barrow

Barrow vs Urban Progress I

Elgre Nottingham I vs Barrow

Click here to see the British League Play-Off tables and averages.

Six teams will battle it out at the Draycott & Long Eaton Table Tennis Centre in Derbyshire over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 23rd and 24th May, for two places in next year’s British League Premier Division.

If the competition is as fiercely fought as it was last year, then the matches should be very exciting indeed. The three teams who were crowned Champions in their respective Divisions were: Derwent in Division One North, Urban Progress in Division One South and Sycamore in Division One South and Midlands. These will undoubtedly be amongst the teams to watch out for, but don’t write off the three other sides either.

Division One South runners-up Brighton cannot be discounted. They have real depth in their team with the fast-improving Cadets Zak Zilesnick and Reece Tan in the numbers three and four positions. Similarly, you can’t discount Elgre Nottingham either. They may have finished a massive ten points behind an outstanding Sycamore side of Kevin Dolder, Sam Perry, Adam Frost, Jason Ramage, Sean Cullen and Danny Lowe but their team has a nice blend of experience and youthful promise. The Elgre squad of Chris Rogers, Lee Neil, Stewart Mudie, Mark Green, David Arrowsmith and Emma Vickers will relish the prospect of going into this weekend as under-dogs.

Barrow’s fortunes will depend to a great extent whether Scottish number one Gavin Rumgay is available. However, this looks extremely doubtful because of the clash with the Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow. However, the hard-hitting and improving brothers Jonathan and Scott Crawford will still be a force to be reckoned with and with former English number one Denis Neale in their squad, as well as England no. 36 Bradley Evans no one will take them too lightly.

Likely squads are as follows:
Derwent: Simon Noutch, Mark Simpson, Stephen Horsfield, Richard Smith, Trevor Williams, Richard Moss.
Barrow: Gavin Rumgay, Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford, Denis Neale, Tristran Swan, Steve Dixon.
Urban Progress: Tibor Kadar, William Maybanks, Costas Papantoniou, Laszlo Varga, Zoltan Hosszu.
Brighton: Alexander Ioannou, Dov Katz, Jack Boult, Zak Zilesnick, Reece Tan.
Sycamore: Kevin Dolder, Sam Perry, Adam Frost, Jason Ramage, Sean Cullen, Danny Lowe.
Elgre Nottingham: Chris Rogers, Lee Neil, Stewart Mudie, Mark Green, David Arrowsmith, Emma Vickers.

Click here to see the British League Play-Off results.