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.

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.

English Table Tennis Association

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.