British League Division 1 North Final Table
British League Division 1 North Results
British League Division 1 North Barrow Player Averages
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.
